7 thoughts on “Nilgiri Chilappan (Montecincla cachinnans)”
On the evidence for decline, there is a more direct evidence of decline in the long-term (pre-2000 levels to now) from State of India’s Birds – a decline of at least by 41% (95% CI) during this period (which is more than its three generation period 18.5).
Current trends are inconclusive.
Unlike the popular misconception that its best habitats/populations are around Ooty (which is a highly degraded zone), its best habitat, that remains mostly unsampled due to lack of visitors, lies in southern portion of its range in Mukurti National Park and the adjoining high altitude regions of Silent Valley National Park. This needs a correction in the account.
While the species occurs in human-modified habitats, I do not know of any reference where breeding has been documented outside shola forests. Hence, its main breeding habitat is still fragmented.
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.
Many thanks for all contributors for the comments made above. While the long-term reporting rate data from SoIB in some respects are alarming, these are the values to be caveated with the most uncertainty, and the more recent trend data from the last 10 years show a reporting rate that is rather stable (this is true of the India and Tamil Nadu trend). While suitable habitat is indeed fragmented (the information in the Zarri et al. 2008 paper has now been incorporated into the accounts more explicitly), it is currently not believed to meet the definition of Severely Fragmented per IUCN (where most individuals of a species are isolated in fragments so small they may not support populations that are viable). The information regarding its habitat preferences is noted and has now been incorporated into the accounts.
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.
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. Nilgiri Chilappan is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching thresholds for listing as threatened under Criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
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.
On the evidence for decline, there is a more direct evidence of decline in the long-term (pre-2000 levels to now) from State of India’s Birds – a decline of at least by 41% (95% CI) during this period (which is more than its three generation period 18.5).
Current trends are inconclusive.
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/bkclau2/
In addition, major share of its population is in the state of Tamil Nadu, where the long-term trend is classified as Rapid Decline (> 70%)
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/tn-bkclau2/
While I agree with the overall assessment of the species, a few addition points may be documented.
Habitat suitability analysis of the Upper Nilgiri plateau indicated a fragmented range.
https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/94/11/1487.pdf
Unlike the popular misconception that its best habitats/populations are around Ooty (which is a highly degraded zone), its best habitat, that remains mostly unsampled due to lack of visitors, lies in southern portion of its range in Mukurti National Park and the adjoining high altitude regions of Silent Valley National Park. This needs a correction in the account.
While the species occurs in human-modified habitats, I do not know of any reference where breeding has been documented outside shola forests. Hence, its main breeding habitat is still fragmented.
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
Many thanks for all contributors for the comments made above. While the long-term reporting rate data from SoIB in some respects are alarming, these are the values to be caveated with the most uncertainty, and the more recent trend data from the last 10 years show a reporting rate that is rather stable (this is true of the India and Tamil Nadu trend). While suitable habitat is indeed fragmented (the information in the Zarri et al. 2008 paper has now been incorporated into the accounts more explicitly), it is currently not believed to meet the definition of Severely Fragmented per IUCN (where most individuals of a species are isolated in fragments so small they may not support populations that are viable). The information regarding its habitat preferences is noted and has now been incorporated into the accounts.
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.
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. Nilgiri Chilappan is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching thresholds for listing as threatened under Criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
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.