7 thoughts on “Broad-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola platyurus)”
While the data quality threshold might not have been met- it is important to fact in that the birds habitat is among the most threatened in the Western Ghats. It is a very local bird and needs to be considered as a VU species.
Hello, This is Rahul Prabhukhanolkar
I am One of the co authors in Sant et. al 2018.
Our documentation around Belgaum region has revealed unusual results related to population and nesting density. In Belgaum region also, high nesting density is observed only at one location , where areas is under the control of army, with very low disturbance and low human activity. this may be a reason that this species is nesting there in high density.
Though there are many patches of potential grassland habitat in the surrounding vicinity, we did not observe such high density of birds (may be because of human activities). in Belgaum the highest population of the species was recorded in 2018, but it is declining.
Density records from Belgaum is a rare case and cannot be applicable to any other sub population of the species.
Overall, though the extent of occurrence has increased in latest assessment, the populations are present in very small areas.
the area of occupancy is very small.
All the areas do not have same population density.
The habitat of this bird is constantly under threats and every year, there is reduction in the area of the occurrence and potential habitat, around Belgaum. Loss of habitat quality, area of extent, land use change, habitat destruction, habitat modification etc. are the major threats in the region.
Due to the existential threats to the species we feel that the species should not be down listed to near threatened.
Species should be under Vulnerable category.
Will be happy to provide any further clarification if needed.
Team Sant et.al 2018
While I agree with the reassessment, what is not captured in the account if its non-breeding range. There has been recent knowledge on its occurrence in coastal wetlands in N. Kerala and SW. Karnataka, all during its non-breeding season. While the map from eBird is correct in showing a large dot there, all of it is its non-breeding habitat. Belagavi [=Belgaum] population also miraculously vanishes after breeding. This potential to move limited distances would indicate a higher potential for isolated breeding pockets to still exchange individuals and hopefully, a potential to occupy new habitats. This should be subject of future research.
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 until 12 February 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 12 February 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. We thank all contributors for their comments, and will follow up directly with Praveen J on ensuring that the map reflects reality. While this species does have a limited and patchy distribution, there is no evidence that it currently meets the thresholds for listing under Criterion B (the range size criterion). Accordingly it cannot be assessed as Vulnerable under this criterion. The comment made from Rahul Prabhukhanolkar is noted, but the Population Size justification already notes that the density at Belgaum is unusually high and was not used to generate plausible population sizes for the whole range.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 18 February 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2024, 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 the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 February 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Broad-tailed Grassbird is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will now be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
While the data quality threshold might not have been met- it is important to fact in that the birds habitat is among the most threatened in the Western Ghats. It is a very local bird and needs to be considered as a VU species.
Hello, This is Rahul Prabhukhanolkar
I am One of the co authors in Sant et. al 2018.
Our documentation around Belgaum region has revealed unusual results related to population and nesting density. In Belgaum region also, high nesting density is observed only at one location , where areas is under the control of army, with very low disturbance and low human activity. this may be a reason that this species is nesting there in high density.
Though there are many patches of potential grassland habitat in the surrounding vicinity, we did not observe such high density of birds (may be because of human activities). in Belgaum the highest population of the species was recorded in 2018, but it is declining.
Density records from Belgaum is a rare case and cannot be applicable to any other sub population of the species.
Overall, though the extent of occurrence has increased in latest assessment, the populations are present in very small areas.
the area of occupancy is very small.
All the areas do not have same population density.
The habitat of this bird is constantly under threats and every year, there is reduction in the area of the occurrence and potential habitat, around Belgaum. Loss of habitat quality, area of extent, land use change, habitat destruction, habitat modification etc. are the major threats in the region.
Due to the existential threats to the species we feel that the species should not be down listed to near threatened.
Species should be under Vulnerable category.
Will be happy to provide any further clarification if needed.
Team Sant et.al 2018
While I agree with the reassessment, what is not captured in the account if its non-breeding range. There has been recent knowledge on its occurrence in coastal wetlands in N. Kerala and SW. Karnataka, all during its non-breeding season. While the map from eBird is correct in showing a large dot there, all of it is its non-breeding habitat. Belagavi [=Belgaum] population also miraculously vanishes after breeding. This potential to move limited distances would indicate a higher potential for isolated breeding pockets to still exchange individuals and hopefully, a potential to occupy new habitats. This should be subject of future research.
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 until 12 February 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 12 February 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. We thank all contributors for their comments, and will follow up directly with Praveen J on ensuring that the map reflects reality. While this species does have a limited and patchy distribution, there is no evidence that it currently meets the thresholds for listing under Criterion B (the range size criterion). Accordingly it cannot be assessed as Vulnerable under this criterion. The comment made from Rahul Prabhukhanolkar is noted, but the Population Size justification already notes that the density at Belgaum is unusually high and was not used to generate plausible population sizes for the whole range.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 18 February 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2024, 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 the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 February 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Broad-tailed Grassbird is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will now be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.