11 thoughts on “Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)”
Distribution Map
No comments on the red listing, however, the map of the species, with lines along the rivers of southern India may be removed. I do not think there been any reliable reports of Black-necked Stork from the southern Indian states. E.g., an analysis of historical records from Karnataka here. https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB_12_4_5_PraveenETAL_KarnatakaChecklist.pdf (for e.g. transcription errors of Black-necked Stork instead of Black Stork is also likely).
It was formerly, perhaps, more widespread in northern Peninsular India. However, its current distribution is mainly in the northern plains and wetlands of NW India (except the Thar) with some localized populations in northern parts of Peninsular India. https://www.birdtaxonomy.in/Ciconiidae.html
The information is important to justify that the Sri Lankan population may truly be an isolated one and may be treated as a sub-population.
Black-necked Stork used to be seen often in early 2000 in Central India but now very rarely in the same areas. Also in some Asian countries like Pakistan it is not seen anymore. I think the Black-necked Stork needs further monitoring and should continue in the NT category till we get a reliable estimate from its erstwhile range.
With my exposure to the species in central Indian landscape over the last 17 years (2008-2025) it is declining. Also the effort and the EOO estimation doesnt precisely mention the change in the EAAA clearly. The amount of landscape change that is happening in its range of extant is also not cleary studied. Hence it will be important to keep it in its current status atleast for the asian sub species. Also the inter connectivity of the Srilankan population and Indian population is not verified. So my request keeping in mind the trend and speed at which Land use changes are happening it will not be wise decision to down list the species.
I disagree with the decision to down-list this species. With the continuing declines taking place in many Asian countries, I would not be surprised if it was proposed to be up-listed to a higher risk category instead. More data outside of Australia should be taken into account.
Black-necked Stork always being observed very limited in numbers at limited few wetland sites only especially in northern India’s National Capital Region of Delhi includes part of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana state due to declining wetland habitats and annual limited few breeding sites with successful max 2-3 grown up sub-adults. So should not down grade this species without proper monitoring for its exact population throughout India.
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 25 April 2025. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 25 April 2025, when discussions will re-open.
We thank all the contributors for the information shared in the above comments. There are several comments suggesting that the species should be maintained as Near Threatened because of declines taking place outside of Australia. Particularly, it is suggested that the species is likely to be declining in central India, and that the Indian and Sri Lankan populations may be isolated and represent distinct subpopulations. There is also a suggestion that the map likely overestimates the species’ range in central and southern India. This information will be incorporated in the updated species factsheet.
In response to maintaining the species as Near Threatened, this would require evidence that the global population (i.e., including the Australian and New Guinean populations) is declining at a rate exceeding 20% over three generations (c. 33 years). There is sufficient evidence to indicate that the Australian and New Guinean populations are very likely stable. These populations comprise at least 90% of the global population. Although it is recognised in the initial forum discussion that the Asian populations are declining, this represents a small proportion (possibly less than 10%) of the global population. Even if all Asian populations were declining very rapidly, this would be insufficient to offset the stability of the remaining population to the point that it was globally declining at a moderately rapid rate. Therefore, while the extinction risk of the species in South-East Asia may reasonably be inferred as being high, its global extinction risk is currently very low.
There is a suggestion that the Asian subspecies be retained as Near Threatened. BirdLife International completes global assessments only and does not complete assessments at the subspecies level. It is recognised in the initial forum discussion that subspecies E. a. asiaticus is likely declining, but a complete assessment of this subspecies under the IUCN Criteria would need to be completed by the relevant regional or national authorities.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 4 May 2025, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2025 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Black-necked Stork —has declined in Nepal, now listed as Critically Endangered for the country’s red list. It used to breed in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the east, where population is more or less extirpated. Population has declined in Bardia and Chitwan, with only occasional sightings of a lone bird possibly coming from India. Shuklaphanta National Park shows up to a pair or so and farmlands of Lumbini –an unprotected area near the border with India—the last breeding of a pair has been noted.
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 a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 12 May 2025.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Black-necked Stork is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.2 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Distribution Map
No comments on the red listing, however, the map of the species, with lines along the rivers of southern India may be removed. I do not think there been any reliable reports of Black-necked Stork from the southern Indian states. E.g., an analysis of historical records from Karnataka here. https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB_12_4_5_PraveenETAL_KarnatakaChecklist.pdf (for e.g. transcription errors of Black-necked Stork instead of Black Stork is also likely).
It was formerly, perhaps, more widespread in northern Peninsular India. However, its current distribution is mainly in the northern plains and wetlands of NW India (except the Thar) with some localized populations in northern parts of Peninsular India.
https://www.birdtaxonomy.in/Ciconiidae.html
The information is important to justify that the Sri Lankan population may truly be an isolated one and may be treated as a sub-population.
Black-necked Stork used to be seen often in early 2000 in Central India but now very rarely in the same areas. Also in some Asian countries like Pakistan it is not seen anymore. I think the Black-necked Stork needs further monitoring and should continue in the NT category till we get a reliable estimate from its erstwhile range.
From Nepal, I suggest, still we have not arrived to downgrade this species from NT to LC.
With my exposure to the species in central Indian landscape over the last 17 years (2008-2025) it is declining. Also the effort and the EOO estimation doesnt precisely mention the change in the EAAA clearly. The amount of landscape change that is happening in its range of extant is also not cleary studied. Hence it will be important to keep it in its current status atleast for the asian sub species. Also the inter connectivity of the Srilankan population and Indian population is not verified. So my request keeping in mind the trend and speed at which Land use changes are happening it will not be wise decision to down list the species.
I disagree with the decision to down-list this species. With the continuing declines taking place in many Asian countries, I would not be surprised if it was proposed to be up-listed to a higher risk category instead. More data outside of Australia should be taken into account.
Black-necked Stork always being observed very limited in numbers at limited few wetland sites only especially in northern India’s National Capital Region of Delhi includes part of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana state due to declining wetland habitats and annual limited few breeding sites with successful max 2-3 grown up sub-adults. So should not down grade this species without proper monitoring for its exact population throughout India.
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 25 April 2025. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 25 April 2025, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
We thank all the contributors for the information shared in the above comments. There are several comments suggesting that the species should be maintained as Near Threatened because of declines taking place outside of Australia. Particularly, it is suggested that the species is likely to be declining in central India, and that the Indian and Sri Lankan populations may be isolated and represent distinct subpopulations. There is also a suggestion that the map likely overestimates the species’ range in central and southern India. This information will be incorporated in the updated species factsheet.
In response to maintaining the species as Near Threatened, this would require evidence that the global population (i.e., including the Australian and New Guinean populations) is declining at a rate exceeding 20% over three generations (c. 33 years). There is sufficient evidence to indicate that the Australian and New Guinean populations are very likely stable. These populations comprise at least 90% of the global population. Although it is recognised in the initial forum discussion that the Asian populations are declining, this represents a small proportion (possibly less than 10%) of the global population. Even if all Asian populations were declining very rapidly, this would be insufficient to offset the stability of the remaining population to the point that it was globally declining at a moderately rapid rate. Therefore, while the extinction risk of the species in South-East Asia may reasonably be inferred as being high, its global extinction risk is currently very low.
There is a suggestion that the Asian subspecies be retained as Near Threatened. BirdLife International completes global assessments only and does not complete assessments at the subspecies level. It is recognised in the initial forum discussion that subspecies E. a. asiaticus is likely declining, but a complete assessment of this subspecies under the IUCN Criteria would need to be completed by the relevant regional or national authorities.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 4 May 2025, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2025 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Black-necked Stork —has declined in Nepal, now listed as Critically Endangered for the country’s red list. It used to breed in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the east, where population is more or less extirpated. Population has declined in Bardia and Chitwan, with only occasional sightings of a lone bird possibly coming from India. Shuklaphanta National Park shows up to a pair or so and farmlands of Lumbini –an unprotected area near the border with India—the last breeding of a pair has been noted.
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 a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 12 May 2025.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Black-necked Stork is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.2 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.