Paradoxornis flavirostris
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AVES |
PASSERIFORMES |
TIMALIIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Paradoxornis flavirostris |
| Species Authority: |
Gould, 1836 |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Black-breasted Parrotbill |
|
Assessment Information
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| 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: |
Choudhury, A. & Rahmani, A. |
Justification:
This tall grassland specialist is thought to be in rapid decline as a result of the extensive loss and degradation of its habitat. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.
|
| History: |
| 2008 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 2004 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 2000 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1996 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1994 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Paradoxornis flavirostris is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, where it is known from the plains and foothills of the Brahmaputra valley in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, north-east India (BirdLife International 2001). Historically, it was also recorded in Bangladesh and possibly eastern Nepal. Formerly described as locally common, there are recent records from just four sites, one in Arunachal Pradesh and three in Assam, at one of which it appears to be common.
|
| Countries: |
Possibly extinct: Bangladesh
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population: |
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 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 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It inhabits dense reed thickets and mixed tall grassland, predominantly on wet substrates, along lowland river floodplains and adjacent hills, where it also occurs in grassy forest clearings. It is found up to at least 900 m generally in small flocks, except during the breeding season (April- July). It is presumably resident, although there is some indication that it makes local seasonal movements in response to the rainy season.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial; Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
The rapid and extensive loss and modification of tall grasslands and reedswamp throughout its limited range is the main threat. This is occurring as a result of drainage, conversion to agriculture (primarily rice-paddy, mustard and tea plantations), overgrazing by domestic livestock, grass harvesting for thatch production and inappropriate grassland management within protected areas. Burning of grassland in protected areas is also a major threat (Choudhury 2011). Extreme flooding events in the Brahmaputra valley, associated with rapid run-off from an increasingly denuded catchment, could damage grasslands, although some flooding may be beneficial to grassland quality.
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway
There are recent records from four protected areas in north-east India: Kaziranga, Manas (Choudhury 2007) and Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks and D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in remaining suitable habitat throughout its range to establish its current distribution and status. Research habitat use and seasonal movements. Extend, upgrade and link, where possible, existing protected areas, and establish new ones, in order to adequately conserve remaining tracts of grassland. Promote regeneration of grasslands throughout its historic range. Strictly regulate burning of tall grassland in protected areas. Control livestock-grazing in protected areas to reduce rates of loss and degradation of tall grassland. Promote widespread conservation awareness initiatives focusing on sustainable management of grassland to maximise both thatch productivity for local people and available habitat for threatened grassland bird species.
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