Cyornis ruckii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	MUSCICAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Cyornis ruckii

Species Authority:

(Oustalet, 1881)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Rueck's Blue-flycatcher, Rueck's Blue-Flycatcher, Rueck's Niltava

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Brickle, N.

Justification:
This species has not been recorded since 1918, and no forest remains in the vicinity of the two known collecting localities, so it may have declined severely as a result of habitat destruction. However, it cannot be assumed to have gone Extinct, because lowland forest in Sumatra has been relatively poorly surveyed, and the specimens were collected in 'exploited forest', hinting at a tolerance to some degree of habitat degradation. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Cyornis ruckii is known from two specimens collected in 1917 and 1918, at Tuntungan and Delitua in the lowlands of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Two further specimens are purportedly from Malaysia, but their provenance has been questioned. The species must have always been very rare or local, given the failure of all but one zoological collector to obtain specimens.
Countries:	Native: Indonesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Population assumed to be tiny based on lack of records, despite searches, since two specimens collected in 1917-1918

Population:

Population assumed to be tiny based on lack of records, despite searches, since two specimens collected in 1917-1918

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Its ecology is virtually unknown. Specimens were collected at 150 m and 200 m in "exploited forest", suggesting it may tolerate some habitat degradation. The fact that they were taken in January and April raises the possibility that the species may be migratory. Judging by its morphology, its closest relatives are to be found in the Hainan Blue-flycatcher C. hainanus group of China and South-East Asia: birds of tangled understoreys and secondary forest. However, as the species's taxonomic relationships remain unclear, a broad outlook should be maintained on its likely ecology.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Its ecology is virtually unknown. Specimens were collected at 150 m and 200 m in "exploited forest", suggesting it may tolerate some habitat degradation. The fact that they were taken in January and April raises the possibility that the species may be migratory. Judging by its morphology, its closest relatives are to be found in the Hainan Blue-flycatcher C. hainanus group of China and South-East Asia: birds of tangled understoreys and secondary forest. However, as the species's taxonomic relationships remain unclear, a broad outlook should be maintained on its likely ecology.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There is apparently no remaining forest cover at the two known collecting localities (they are situated on the outskirts of a large city: Medan), and its range may therefore have shrunk considerably. However, the description of its habitat as "exploited forest" raises the possibility that it may persist in adjacent disturbed wooded areas.

Major Threat(s):

There is apparently no remaining forest cover at the two known collecting localities (they are situated on the outskirts of a large city: Medan), and its range may therefore have shrunk considerably. However, the description of its habitat as "exploited forest" raises the possibility that it may persist in adjacent disturbed wooded areas.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. This species has been protected under Indonesian law since 1972. The Wildlife Conservation Society is currently actively trying to locate this species in the lowlands surrounding Gunung Leuser National Park, and hope to expand this work in the future once additional funding has been secured¹. Conservation Actions Proposed Examine the two skins in detail to improve understanding of its taxonomic status, and indeed (by consideration of wing length) to determine the likelihood of its being migratory. Conduct surveys (including use of mist nets) for the species between January and April in remaining forest patches ranging out from the two historical locations. Develop a conservation plan for the species, pending results of these surveys, including the establishment of protected areas, where appropriate, at any sites supporting populations.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. This species has been protected under Indonesian law since 1972. The Wildlife Conservation Society is currently actively trying to locate this species in the lowlands surrounding Gunung Leuser National Park, and hope to expand this work in the future once additional funding has been secured¹.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Examine the two skins in detail to improve understanding of its taxonomic status, and indeed (by consideration of wing length) to determine the likelihood of its being migratory. Conduct surveys (including use of mist nets) for the species between January and April in remaining forest patches ranging out from the two historical locations. Develop a conservation plan for the species, pending results of these surveys, including the establishment of protected areas, where appropriate, at any sites supporting populations.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Cyornis ruckii. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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