8 thoughts on “Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle (Spilornis klossi)”
Due to the restricted nature of Great Nicobar island, much of it is inaccessible for field surveys. However, the species is decidedly rare in the accessible (southern) part of the island. There are very few pairs in the tourism zone and occurs in much lower densities than the resident subspecies (undescribed) of Crested Serpent Eagle. My assessment is that S. klossi: S.cheela ratio in Great Nicobar (accessible areas) is much lower than S. elgini:S.cheela ratio in Andamans. Further to it, the island is undergoing massive transformation with a mega development project starting – hence greater threat overall to the islands. https://india.mongabay.com/2022/10/maps-environmental-path-cleared-for-great-nicobar-mega-project/
Hence – I would endorse this new threat level for this species.
I agree with the revised classification for this rare eagle. Nicobar Islands are lined up for undergoing a massive transformation owing to mega-infrastructure projects in near future, which is likely to result in the loss of habitat for this forest-dependant endemic species.
I endorse the views of both Praveen and Prachi to list the species as “Endangered”. There may not be any significant habitat loss over the years for this forest-dependent species as per satellite survey, but threats of habitat loss is looming large over the construction of a mega-infrastructure project involving at least 130 sqkms of pristine forests in Great Nicober Island.
Estimation of having 150-180 mature individual of this highly restricted species is very realistic, hence the justification.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now temporarily closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 6 February 2023. We will now analyse and interpret new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 6 February 2023, when discussions will re-open.
We thank commentors for their comments, which appear approving of this re-assessment to Endangered. The information regarding its relative abundance, and concern of future development on the Nicobar Islands, has been incorporated into the species account to be published in December 2023. Accordingly, our preliminary proposal for the 2023 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 12 February 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret available information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 February 2023.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle is recommended to be listed as Endangered under Criterion D.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2023.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Due to the restricted nature of Great Nicobar island, much of it is inaccessible for field surveys. However, the species is decidedly rare in the accessible (southern) part of the island. There are very few pairs in the tourism zone and occurs in much lower densities than the resident subspecies (undescribed) of Crested Serpent Eagle. My assessment is that S. klossi: S.cheela ratio in Great Nicobar (accessible areas) is much lower than S. elgini:S.cheela ratio in Andamans. Further to it, the island is undergoing massive transformation with a mega development project starting – hence greater threat overall to the islands.
https://india.mongabay.com/2022/10/maps-environmental-path-cleared-for-great-nicobar-mega-project/
Hence – I would endorse this new threat level for this species.
I agree with the revised classification for this rare eagle. Nicobar Islands are lined up for undergoing a massive transformation owing to mega-infrastructure projects in near future, which is likely to result in the loss of habitat for this forest-dependant endemic species.
I endorse the views of both Praveen and Prachi to list the species as “Endangered”. There may not be any significant habitat loss over the years for this forest-dependent species as per satellite survey, but threats of habitat loss is looming large over the construction of a mega-infrastructure project involving at least 130 sqkms of pristine forests in Great Nicober Island.
Estimation of having 150-180 mature individual of this highly restricted species is very realistic, hence the justification.
This endemic on Great Nicobar Island needs this revised assessment so as to initiate speedy action plan for its long-term conservation.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now temporarily closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 6 February 2023. We will now analyse and interpret new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 6 February 2023, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
We thank commentors for their comments, which appear approving of this re-assessment to Endangered. The information regarding its relative abundance, and concern of future development on the Nicobar Islands, has been incorporated into the species account to be published in December 2023. Accordingly, our preliminary proposal for the 2023 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 12 February 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret available information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 February 2023.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle is recommended to be listed as Endangered under Criterion D.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2023.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.