Myophonus blighi

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	Turdidae

Scientific Name:

Myophonus blighi

Species Authority:

(Holdsworth, 1872)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush, Ceylon Whistling-thrush, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush

Synonym/s:

Myiophoneus blighi

Myiophonus blighi

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

Butchart, S. & Gilroy, J. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small, severely fragmented population and range, which are undergoing a continuing decline as a result of degradation and destruction of upland forest.

History:

2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered
1988	–	Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Myophonus blighi is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is restricted to the central mountains. It has always been considered scarce and is thought to have a declining, increasingly fragmented, population of no more than a few thousand individuals.
Countries:	Native: Sri Lanka
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Population estimate based on assessment of recent records and surveys by BirdLife International (2001) who concluded that 'it is unlikely that it currently numbers more than a few thousand individuals'
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is a secretive, ground-dwelling bird confined to dense mountain forests above c.900 m, usually close to streams, especially in ravines and gorges. Breeding is from January-May, and possibly again in September, on rock ledges next to waterfalls or rapids and also in the forks of trees.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main threat is the extensive clearance and degradation of montane forests through conversion to timber plantations and agriculture, firewood-collection, particularly around Nuwara Eliya, Maskeliya and Bogowantaalaw, and gem mining. Some protected forests continue to be degraded and suffer further fragmentation. It has been affected by reductions in food supply because of replacement of natural forests, containing fruiting trees, with monoculture plantations. Run-off from vegetable farms is polluting streams within its range. Forest die-back in the montane region, perhaps a result of air pollution, is a potential threat. Birdwatchers using tape play-back may adversely affect breeding success at Horton Plains National Park.

Major Threat(s):

The main threat is the extensive clearance and degradation of montane forests through conversion to timber plantations and agriculture, firewood-collection, particularly around Nuwara Eliya, Maskeliya and Bogowantaalaw, and gem mining. Some protected forests continue to be degraded and suffer further fragmentation. It has been affected by reductions in food supply because of replacement of natural forests, containing fruiting trees, with monoculture plantations. Run-off from vegetable farms is polluting streams within its range. Forest die-back in the montane region, perhaps a result of air pollution, is a potential threat. Birdwatchers using tape play-back may adversely affect breeding success at Horton Plains National Park.

Conservation Actions [top]

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. It occurs in several national parks and forest reserves, most notably Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. A survey of the biodiversity of 200 forest sites was carried out from 1991-1996. Conservation actions proposed: Conduct a comprehensive survey in order to clarify its status and produce management recommendations for this species in conservation forests and other protected areas. Research the effects of pesticide pollution on this and other species associated with upland streams. Encourage protection of important areas of forest holding this and other threatened species, including proposals to designate conservation forests, and ensure their effective management. Maintain the current ban on logging of wet zone forests. Promote programmes to create awareness of the value of biological resources amongst local communities.

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. It occurs in several national parks and forest reserves, most notably Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. A survey of the biodiversity of 200 forest sites was carried out from 1991-1996.

Conservation actions proposed:

Conduct a comprehensive survey in order to clarify its status and produce management recommendations for this species in conservation forests and other protected areas. Research the effects of pesticide pollution on this and other species associated with upland streams. Encourage protection of important areas of forest holding this and other threatened species, including proposals to designate conservation forests, and ensure their effective management. Maintain the current ban on logging of wet zone forests. Promote programmes to create awareness of the value of biological resources amongst local communities.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Myophonus blighi. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 March 2010.
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