Glaucidium castanonotum

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	STRIGIFORMES	STRIGIDAE

Scientific Name:

Glaucidium castanonotum

Species Authority:

(Blyth, 1846)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Chestnut-backed Owlet
Spanish	–	Mochuelo de Ceilán

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
This species is listed as Near Threatened because there are some indications that it has a moderately small population, which is in decline owing to forest clearance and degradation.

History:

2008	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Glaucidium castanonotum is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is a rare resident (BirdLife International 2001). Whilst it may be more common than records suggest, its range has diminished dramatically since the 19th century when it was widespread in the lowlands of Sri Lanka to the outskirts of Colombo. Declines are thought to be continuing.
Countries:	Native: Sri Lanka
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is assumed to have a moderately small population as it is generally uncommon within lowland wet zone forest on Sri Lanka. It is estimated to number 10,000-19,999 mature individuals, equating to 15,000-29,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 15,000-30,000 individuals. Further research is required to refine this estimate.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in dense wet forests of the lowlands and hills, but has also been recorded in logged forests, rubber plantations, scrub and cultivation, and ranges up to 1,950 m. It is shy and retiring; generally keeping to the canopy of large trees, and is therefore probably overlooked. It feeds mostly on insects but also takes lizards, small mammals and small birds. Eggs are laid during March-May.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Forest on the island has suffered rapid degradation and fragmentation in the past decades through excessive gathering of fuelwood, clearance for permanent agriculture, shifting cultivation, fire, urbanisation and logging. Closed-canopy forest is estimated to have declined from 29,000 km²(44% of the island's area) in 1956 to 12,260 km²in 1983. It is feared that this loss will continue and the status of this species therefore requires monitoring.

Major Threat(s):

Forest on the island has suffered rapid degradation and fragmentation in the past decades through excessive gathering of fuelwood, clearance for permanent agriculture, shifting cultivation, fire, urbanisation and logging. Closed-canopy forest is estimated to have declined from 29,000 km²(44% of the island's area) in 1956 to 12,260 km²in 1983. It is feared that this loss will continue and the status of this species therefore requires monitoring.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. A number of protected areas exist within the moist zone, and the species is still regularly recorded from Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve. A moratorium has been placed on further logging. Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out surveys to estimate the species's total population size. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Enforce the existing ban on logging.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. A number of protected areas exist within the moist zone, and the species is still regularly recorded from Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve. A moratorium has been placed on further logging.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to estimate the species's total population size. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Enforce the existing ban on logging.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Glaucidium castanonotum. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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