Chrysomma altirostre

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	TIMALIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Chrysomma altirostre

Species Authority:

(Jerdon, 1862)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Jerdon's Babbler

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2c+3c+4c ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Baral, H., Choudhury, A. & Khan, A.

Justification:
This species is likely to be in rapid decline as a result of the extensive loss of tall, wet grassland habitat, primarily owing to drainage, conversion to cultivation and grazing by domestic stock. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Chrysomma altirostre occurs in three disjunct populations, along the River Indus and its tributaries in Pakistan, in the terai of Nepal (where it has only recently been discovered), and the Brahmaputra floodplain in north-east India (BirdLife International 2001). It is known historically from the Irrawaddy-Sittang plains of Myanmar, and possibly Bangladesh. Recent records from Assam, its stronghold in India, suggest it has declined and in Pakistan it is uncommon and local. There are no recent records from Myanmar or Bangladesh.
Countries:	Native: India; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is a presumed resident, inhabiting river floodplain tall grassland and reedbeds (2-4 m high), often seasonally inundated or in close proximity to rivers and pools, and predominantly comprising species of Imperata, Saccharum, Phragmites and Typha. It prefers dense, contiguous, undisturbed stands of grass and generally avoids drier, semi-open, short grassland habitat with scattered bushes. It is unobtrusive and usually encountered in pairs or small groups.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

It is a presumed resident, inhabiting river floodplain tall grassland and reedbeds (2-4 m high), often seasonally inundated or in close proximity to rivers and pools, and predominantly comprising species of Imperata, Saccharum, Phragmites and Typha. It prefers dense, contiguous, undisturbed stands of grass and generally avoids drier, semi-open, short grassland habitat with scattered bushes. It is unobtrusive and usually encountered in pairs or small groups.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Large tracts of natural swamps and wet grassland have been destroyed or degraded throughout its range as a result of drainage, conversion for agriculture and grazing by domestic stock. This has been exacerbated in Pakistan by the construction of large barrages on the Indus, accelerating rates of land reclamation and conversion to cultivation. Most remaining habitat is subject to intense pressure from further drainage for agriculture, human encroachment, excessive burning and cutting, domestic livestock-grazing, and, more locally, commercial forestry plantations. The political situation in Myanmar has largely precluded intensive surveys for the species.

Major Threat(s):

Large tracts of natural swamps and wet grassland have been destroyed or degraded throughout its range as a result of drainage, conversion for agriculture and grazing by domestic stock. This has been exacerbated in Pakistan by the construction of large barrages on the Indus, accelerating rates of land reclamation and conversion to cultivation. Most remaining habitat is subject to intense pressure from further drainage for agriculture, human encroachment, excessive burning and cutting, domestic livestock-grazing, and, more locally, commercial forestry plantations. The political situation in Myanmar has largely precluded intensive surveys for the species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It occurs in several protected areas, including Kaziranga, Manas and Dibru-Saikowa National Parks, India, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct further surveys to establish the species's current distribution and status, particularly in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Campaign for increased representation of swamps and wet grasslands within protected-area systems throughout its range. Identify the most important conservation sites for the species and conduct research into grass burning/harvesting regimes in order to develop optimum management strategies. Regulate harvesting of grass, overgrazing and encroachment at key sites, particularly within protected areas. Conduct education programmes throughout its range to promote grassland conservation and regeneration.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several protected areas, including Kaziranga, Manas and Dibru-Saikowa National Parks, India, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys to establish the species's current distribution and status, particularly in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Campaign for increased representation of swamps and wet grasslands within protected-area systems throughout its range. Identify the most important conservation sites for the species and conduct research into grass burning/harvesting regimes in order to develop optimum management strategies. Regulate harvesting of grass, overgrazing and encroachment at key sites, particularly within protected areas. Conduct education programmes throughout its range to promote grassland conservation and regeneration.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Chrysomma altirostre. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
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