Brachypteryx hyperythra

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:

Brachypteryx hyperythra

Species Authority:

Jerdon & Blyth, 1861

Common Name/s:

English

–

Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Rusty-breasted Shortwing

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

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

Justification:
Recent surveys have found this species to be commoner and more widespread than was previously thought. Nevertheless, it is believed to have a moderately small population within its small range, and numbers are is suspected to be declining as a consequence of habitat loss. However, the range is not yet severely fragmented or restricted to few locations. For these reasons, the species is classified as Near Threatened.

History:

2007	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable
1988	–	Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Brachypteryx hyperythra is endemic to the eastern Himalayas, where it is currently known from West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (and perhaps Nagaland), India, north Myanmar and north-west Yunnan, China. Data suggest it is scarce and local, but this may in part be due to its remote, inaccessible range, which is also likely to include Bhutan, and possibly Nepal and south-east Tibet. There are a number of recent records from northern Myanmar which suggest that the species may be commoner and more widespread than previously thought^1,2,3.
Countries:	Native: China; India Presence uncertain: Myanmar
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Population estimate = 1-10 individuals/km2 x 2,000 km2 (10% EOO) = 2,000-20,000 (density range extrapolated from ecologically similar species in BirdLife Population Densities Spreadsheet; mean density is difficult to estimate as the species appears to be common at some sites, but absent at others).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	In May and June (the presumed breeding season) it has been found in dense undergrowth and Arundinaria ("ringal") bamboo in broad-leaved evergreen forest from 1,800-3,000 m. During winter, it frequents dense reeds, thick secondary scrub, forest undergrowth and well-vegetated gulleys, from foothills at 450 m to at least 2,950 m. It has recently been recorded at much lower elevations down to c.150 m, inhabiting tall "elephant type" grass^2,3. It is probably resident, making seasonal altitudinal movements, although it possibly migrates short distances.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

In May and June (the presumed breeding season) it has been found in dense undergrowth and Arundinaria ("ringal") bamboo in broad-leaved evergreen forest from 1,800-3,000 m. During winter, it frequents dense reeds, thick secondary scrub, forest undergrowth and well-vegetated gulleys, from foothills at 450 m to at least 2,950 m. It has recently been recorded at much lower elevations down to c.150 m, inhabiting tall "elephant type" grass^2,3. It is probably resident, making seasonal altitudinal movements, although it possibly migrates short distances.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Without a more complete knowledge of its habitat preferences and breeding and wintering ranges, it is difficult to identify particular threats. However, forest loss and degradation owing to logging, smaller-scale cutting for fuelwood, clearance for tea plantations, shifting agriculture and livestock-grazing of forest understorey are all problems within its known range, especially at lower altitudes.

Major Threat(s):

Without a more complete knowledge of its habitat preferences and breeding and wintering ranges, it is difficult to identify particular threats. However, forest loss and degradation owing to logging, smaller-scale cutting for fuelwood, clearance for tea plantations, shifting agriculture and livestock-grazing of forest understorey are all problems within its known range, especially at lower altitudes.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: It occurs in Namdapha National Park and the Mehao, Dibang and Kamleng Wildlife Sanctuaries in north-east India, and in Hponkanrazi and Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries in northern Myanmar. Conservation actions proposed: Study the ecology and threats that may face this species Identify key areas/important populations and recommend their integration into protected areas if necessary. Support initiatives seeking to reduce levels of forest destruction and degradation.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

It occurs in Namdapha National Park and the Mehao, Dibang and Kamleng Wildlife Sanctuaries in north-east India, and in Hponkanrazi and Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries in northern Myanmar.

Conservation actions proposed:

Study the ecology and threats that may face this species Identify key areas/important populations and recommend their integration into protected areas if necessary. Support initiatives seeking to reduce levels of forest destruction and degradation.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Brachypteryx hyperythra. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010.
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