Anthus nilghiriensis

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	MOTACILLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Anthus nilghiriensis

Species Authority:

Sharpe, 1885

Common Name/s:

English

–

Nilgiri Pipit

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,v);C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Jayadevan, P., Rahmani, A., Subramanya, S. & Vinod, U.

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small range in which its habitat is severely fragmented and declining in extent and quality, which in turn is suspected to be driving a decline in its small population. Confirmation that the area of suitable habitat totals less than 400 km² would likely make the species eligible for uplisting.

History:

2011	–	Vulnerable
2008	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Anthus nilghiriensis is endemic to the Western Ghats of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, southern India (BirdLife International 2001). It is locally fairly common within its small range, particularly above 2,000 m (Vinod 2007). Surveys conducted in 2002-2004 found the species to be almost extinct at some former sites (U. J. Vinod in litt. 2010, 2011), suggesting that the population is in decline. Following these surveys, the total population is estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals; however, data on the species's population density in suitable habitat receiving protection (0.1 birds/ha) and an estimate of the remaining area of montane grassland in its range (400 km²) (Vinod 2007, U. J. Vinod in litt. 2010, 2011) suggest that even an estimate of c.4,000 mature individuals is optimistic.
Countries:	Native: India
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Recent surveys suggest that the species occurs at a density of c.0.1 birds/ha in suitable, protected habitat, and that the total area of montane grassland in its range may be only 400 km2 , not all of which will be suitable for the species (U. J. Vinod in litt. 2010). Assuming that the majority of birds recorded in the surveys were breeding adults, these data imply that an optimistic population estimate would be c.4,000 mature individuals. However, given the uncertainty around these numbers, the population is placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Recent surveys suggest that the species occurs at a density of c.0.1 birds/ha in suitable, protected habitat, and that the total area of montane grassland in its range may be only 400 km2 , not all of which will be suitable for the species (U. J. Vinod in litt. 2010). Assuming that the majority of birds recorded in the surveys were breeding adults, these data imply that an optimistic population estimate would be c.4,000 mature individuals. However, given the uncertainty around these numbers, the population is placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. This equates 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 occurs on grassy upland slopes interspersed with bushes and trees, mainly above 1,500 m, and is commonest over 2,000 m, but sometimes descends to c.1,000 m. The species has been observed to feed mostly on creeping grass in valleys, but to nest in marshy grasslands with slightly taller grasses and sedges, particularly near streams (Vinod 2007). In marshy areas, the species nests predominantly in Andropogon polypticus and feeds mainly in Mariscus cyperinus (Vinod 2007). It is usually found singly or in pairs, even in the non-breeding season. The species breeds from February to June, with a peak in April (Vinod 2007). Clutch size is usually two and incubation, exclusively by the female, lasts for 14-15 days. Average territory size has been recorded as 0.15 ha (n = 9; range 0.06-0.25 ha). It feeds on invertebrates, mostly Coleopteran species, and seeds, strongly favouring invertebrates in the breeding season, and switching to a preference for seeds during the non-breeding season. The timing of breeding appears to be associated with higher temperatures and increased invertebrate abundance. It has been recorded consuming the seeds of grasses (Eragrostris nigra, Isachnae kunthiana and Isachaemum ciliare) and a herb (Cyanotis wightii) (Vinod 2007).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs on grassy upland slopes interspersed with bushes and trees, mainly above 1,500 m, and is commonest over 2,000 m, but sometimes descends to c.1,000 m. The species has been observed to feed mostly on creeping grass in valleys, but to nest in marshy grasslands with slightly taller grasses and sedges, particularly near streams (Vinod 2007). In marshy areas, the species nests predominantly in Andropogon polypticus and feeds mainly in Mariscus cyperinus (Vinod 2007). It is usually found singly or in pairs, even in the non-breeding season. The species breeds from February to June, with a peak in April (Vinod 2007). Clutch size is usually two and incubation, exclusively by the female, lasts for 14-15 days. Average territory size has been recorded as 0.15 ha (n = 9; range 0.06-0.25 ha). It feeds on invertebrates, mostly Coleopteran species, and seeds, strongly favouring invertebrates in the breeding season, and switching to a preference for seeds during the non-breeding season. The timing of breeding appears to be associated with higher temperatures and increased invertebrate abundance. It has been recorded consuming the seeds of grasses (Eragrostris nigra, Isachnae kunthiana and Isachaemum ciliare) and a herb (Cyanotis wightii) (Vinod 2007).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its grassland habitat is gradually being converted to plantations of tea, eucalyptus and silver wattle Acacia dealbata. The unintentional spread of wattle and invasive scotch broom Cytisus scoparius to grasslands is another long-term threat (Zarri et al. 2004). Tea planters use Andropogon polypticus to cover tea plants during the winter. This activity threatens Nilgiri Pipit as it nests in the clumps of Andropogon polypticus and hence many nests are destroyed (A. Rahmani in litt. 2012). Livestock grazing and frequent fires also pose threats to the species (Vinod 2007). During fieldwork conducted in 2002-2004, the species was found to be more abundant within protected areas compared to suitable habitat receiving no protection, suggesting that it is affected by disturbance (Vinod 2007). Disturbance may be increasing as ever higher resorts are constructed in the sholas that border areas of montane grassland. As the species often occupies habitat at the very top of hills, it is potentially threatened by the effects of climate change.

Major Threat(s):

Its grassland habitat is gradually being converted to plantations of tea, eucalyptus and silver wattle Acacia dealbata. The unintentional spread of wattle and invasive scotch broom Cytisus scoparius to grasslands is another long-term threat (Zarri et al. 2004). Tea planters use Andropogon polypticus to cover tea plants during the winter. This activity threatens Nilgiri Pipit as it nests in the clumps of Andropogon polypticus and hence many nests are destroyed (A. Rahmani in litt. 2012). Livestock grazing and frequent fires also pose threats to the species (Vinod 2007). During fieldwork conducted in 2002-2004, the species was found to be more abundant within protected areas compared to suitable habitat receiving no protection, suggesting that it is affected by disturbance (Vinod 2007). Disturbance may be increasing as ever higher resorts are constructed in the sholas that border areas of montane grassland. As the species often occupies habitat at the very top of hills, it is potentially threatened by the effects of climate change.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Like all wild birds in India, it is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is listed in Schedule IV. It is found within many well-known Protected Areas. The species was the focus of a recent PhD thesis which recommended a review of its threat status. Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out further surveys to obtain a more accurate population estimate. Monitor population trends. Map the species's Area of Occupancy by calculating the area of suitable habitat above 1,000 m. Identify threats to its habitat and whether declines are likely. Monitor trends in the extent and condition of habitat. Strict protection of all natural grasslands in the Western Ghats, especially those in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Incorporate Upper Bhavani and Bison Swamp areas into adjacent Mukurthi National Park. Stop plantation of exotic trees in all grasslands. Control the spread of the invasive Scotch Broom. Avoid livestock grazing and fire in the nesting habitat during the breeding nseason. begin an awareness programme for local people and policy makers about the importance of conserving the grasslands of the Western Ghats.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Like all wild birds in India, it is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is listed in Schedule IV. It is found within many well-known Protected Areas. The species was the focus of a recent PhD thesis which recommended a review of its threat status.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out further surveys to obtain a more accurate population estimate. Monitor population trends. Map the species's Area of Occupancy by calculating the area of suitable habitat above 1,000 m. Identify threats to its habitat and whether declines are likely. Monitor trends in the extent and condition of habitat. Strict protection of all natural grasslands in the Western Ghats, especially those in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Incorporate Upper Bhavani and Bison Swamp areas into adjacent Mukurthi National Park. Stop plantation of exotic trees in all grasslands. Control the spread of the invasive Scotch Broom. Avoid livestock grazing and fire in the nesting habitat during the breeding nseason. begin an awareness programme for local people and policy makers about the importance of conserving the grasslands of the Western Ghats.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Anthus nilghiriensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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