Brachypteryx major

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 major

Species Authority:

(Jerdon, 1844)

Common Name/s:

English

–

White-bellied Shortwing

Taxonomic Notes:

This species was recently re-evaluated and placed in Myiomela by Rasmussen & Anderton (2005), as well as being split into two species - Nilgiri Blue Robin M. major and White-bellied Blue Robin M. albiventris.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

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

Justification:
This species has a small, severely fragmented, declining range owing to destruction and fragmentation of its evergreen and semi-evergreen forest habitat. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

History:

2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Lower Risk/near threatened
1988	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Brachypteryx major is endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India, occurring in the Nilgiri, Bramhagiri, Annamalai, Palani and Ashambu Hills in south Karnataka, western Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala.. There are also records from the hills of Waynaad, Siruvani-Palakkad Hills and Kannan Devan (Munnar) Hills⁵. It has a disjunct distribution across the entire range, with many populations geographically isolated from each other. Both historical and recent records indicate that it is locally very common within parts of its limited range, but rare at many other apparently suitable sites. It is apparently commoner at higher elevation (above 1,500m), and may occur at higher densities in disturbed fragments². Recent surveys in Karnataka failed to find this species at 12 out of 13 sites visited, suggesting that it is much scarcer in the northern part of its range³.
Countries:	Native: India
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Preliminary population estimate requiring further documentation.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is a montane resident, inhabiting moist undergrowth and leaf-litter of montane evergreen forest ("Sholas") that is a mosaic of natural grassland and forest patches from 900 to the highest reaches in the Western Ghats, but generally above 1,400 m. It appears to occur most commonly in these habitats, but also frequents dense, shady secondary growth and remnant Sholas within old pine, Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations when these adjoin natural forests. It is an inconspicuous, rather reclusive species, but has a powerful song. Altitude: 900 - 2600 m (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is a montane resident, inhabiting moist undergrowth and leaf-litter of montane evergreen forest ("Sholas") that is a mosaic of natural grassland and forest patches from 900 to the highest reaches in the Western Ghats, but generally above 1,400 m. It appears to occur most commonly in these habitats, but also frequents dense, shady secondary growth and remnant Sholas within old pine, Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations when these adjoin natural forests. It is an inconspicuous, rather reclusive species, but has a powerful song. Altitude: 900 - 2600 m (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Whilst it appears to be tolerant of some habitat degradation and alteration, forest loss and fragmentation still pose a threat. Between 1961-1988, 47% of evergreen/semi-evergreen forest was lost in the Kerala portion of the Western Ghats, as a result of clearance for plantations, cash-crops (e.g. tea), reservoirs and human settlements. There were increases in plantation and deciduous forest cover of 6% and 7.5% respectively. Sukumar et al. (1995) estimated a loss of 50% of Shola forests since 1850⁴. Disturbance from firewood collectors (most often plantation workers) can have a negative influence on breeding productivity³. Human induced fire, either accidental or for management of the grassland habitat for large herbivores, disturbs and / or alters the natural Shola forest patches.

Major Threat(s):

Whilst it appears to be tolerant of some habitat degradation and alteration, forest loss and fragmentation still pose a threat. Between 1961-1988, 47% of evergreen/semi-evergreen forest was lost in the Kerala portion of the Western Ghats, as a result of clearance for plantations, cash-crops (e.g. tea), reservoirs and human settlements. There were increases in plantation and deciduous forest cover of 6% and 7.5% respectively. Sukumar et al. (1995) estimated a loss of 50% of Shola forests since 1850⁴. Disturbance from firewood collectors (most often plantation workers) can have a negative influence on breeding productivity³. Human induced fire, either accidental or for management of the grassland habitat for large herbivores, disturbs and / or alters the natural Shola forest patches.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: It occurs in several protected areas, including Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Cairnhill Reserve Forest. It also occurs in the proposed Palni Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. A study to evaluate distribution, population size and viability in relation to forest patch size and habitat quality is currently underway¹. Conservation actions proposed: Conduct comprehensive surveys for the species in the southern Western Ghats to establish its distribution and population status, paying particular consideration to the possibility that the isolated northern and southern forms represent separate species. Continue detailed studies of habitat requirements to determine its degree of tolerance to habitat degradation and alteration. Support the gazetting of the proposed Palni Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and any further protected areas within its range. Campaign for the reduction of conversion of natural forest to plantation and promote community-based natural forest conservation and restoration initiatives in the Western Ghats. . Conduct studies on possible genetic isolation of the different geographically separated populations, and clarify the taxonomic status of the two subspecies. Campaign for reduction of secondary disturbance by firewood collectors from the plantation industry by working with planters and the forest departments to promote alternative fuel sources. Campaign with forest managers to stop setting fire to the natural grassland habitat supposedly for managing large herbivore populations.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

It occurs in several protected areas, including Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Cairnhill Reserve Forest. It also occurs in the proposed Palni Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. A study to evaluate distribution, population size and viability in relation to forest patch size and habitat quality is currently underway¹.

Conservation actions proposed:

Conduct comprehensive surveys for the species in the southern Western Ghats to establish its distribution and population status, paying particular consideration to the possibility that the isolated northern and southern forms represent separate species. Continue detailed studies of habitat requirements to determine its degree of tolerance to habitat degradation and alteration. Support the gazetting of the proposed Palni Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and any further protected areas within its range. Campaign for the reduction of conversion of natural forest to plantation and promote community-based natural forest conservation and restoration initiatives in the Western Ghats. . Conduct studies on possible genetic isolation of the different geographically separated populations, and clarify the taxonomic status of the two subspecies. Campaign for reduction of secondary disturbance by firewood collectors from the plantation industry by working with planters and the forest departments to promote alternative fuel sources. Campaign with forest managers to stop setting fire to the natural grassland habitat supposedly for managing large herbivore populations.

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