Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AVES |
CUCULIFORMES |
CUCULIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus |
| Species Authority: |
(Pennant, 1769) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Red-faced Malkoha |
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Vulnerable
C2a(i)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2008 |
| Assessor/s: |
BirdLife International |
| Reviewer/s: |
Butchart, S., Bird, J., Crosby, M. |
| Contributor/s: |
de Silva Wijeyeratne, G. |
Justification:
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small, declining population as a result of loss and degradation of its forest habitat.
|
| History: |
| 2004 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 2000 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1996 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1994 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus is endemic to Sri Lanka, primarily occurring in the wet zone of the south-west of the island and locally in the dry zone. There are unconfirmed records from Tamil Nadu, India. Historical records suggest it was widespread at the end of the 19th century, but its population has since declined, become increasingly fragmented and numbers are now no more than a few thousand individuals, perhaps as low as several hundreds.
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| Countries: |
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| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
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Population
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| Population: |
Population unlikely to number 'more than a few thousand individuals' based on available records and survey results (BirdLife International 2001). A recent estimate suggests the population may now be no more than several hundred individuals.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It is mainly confined to undisturbed, tall, humid forest with dense, tangled undergrowth, although there are scattered populations in dry zone riverine forest. Most records are from below 920 m, although it has been recorded up to 1,540 m. It forages solitarily or frequently in mixed-species flocks, usually in the canopy. Its diet consists primarily of invertebrates1, but also includes fruit and berries. Breeding has been recorded from January-May, but it may also breed from August-September. It may make seasonal altitudinal movements.
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| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
The main threat is the extensive clearance and degradation of forests, particularly in the wet zone, through logging, fuelwood collection, conversion to agriculture and tree plantations, gem mining, settlement and fire. As a primarily canopy-dwelling species, it has been particularly badly affected by selective logging. Some protected forests continue to be degraded and suffer further fragmentation. Historically, hunting was possibly a threat but it is unlikely to be a serious problem today.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway
It is legally protected in Sri Lanka. A moratorium was passed in 1990 to protect wet zone forests from logging, but encroachment continues. It occurs in several national parks and forest reserves, most notably Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area, Gal-Oya National Park, Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, Uda Walawe National Park and Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. A survey of the biodiversity of 200 forest sites was carried out in 1991-1996.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct a comprehensive survey in order to produce management recommendations for this species in conservation forests and other protected areas. Encourage protection of remaining important areas of forest holding this and other threatened species, including proposals to designate conservation forests, and ensure their effective management. Research its ecology, particularly its habitat requirements and possible seasonal movements. Maintain the current ban on the logging of wet zone forests. Promote programmes to create awareness of the value of biological resources amongst local communities.
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