25 thoughts on “Bristled Grassbird (Schoenicola striatus)”
It is a tall grass dependent species and such habitat are vanishing alarmingly, especially outside the protected areas. If one goes by “Justification” narrated above, it should remain in VU category. If it is felt that “Justification” para is not correct, then it may be downlisted. Since grasslands are cleared for agriculture as well as industrial development, the loss of grass habitat could be rapid.
The species’ habitat faces significant threats, including seasonal burning, overgrazing, degradation accelerated by invasive species, and agricultural expansion. Without a comprehensive approach to monitor and assess population trends and habitat loss, downlisting this species would be premature.
Is there any reasonable likelihood that the global population is lower than 10,000 individuals ?
There has not been any estimation of population in India. However, if the region is split into multiple populations by state, this is feasible. Though formal surveys and estimations have not been done, local knowledge of species densities, habitat preferences, and availability of suitable habitats in each district can be used to estimate an absolute maximum threshold of the population of mature individuals. The Assam Bird Monitoring Network conducted such an exercise among the regular birders in all districts in Assam to arrive at an absolute maximum threshold of 330 singing males, which makes a maximum population of 660 mature individuals in Assam. The likely population is expected to be much lower than this, but this number is still useful to evaluate whether there are 10,000 mature individuals globally.
Details of the population of singing males per district:
In the Indian state of Punjab, Bristled Grassbird has been observed at several locations in the districts of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Patiala, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarntaran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala and Ludhiana. But maximum sightings are from Jawaharpur in district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar and Harike Wildlife Sanctuary (covering areas in Tarntaran and Ferozepur districts. But, this has more to do with the number of birders visiting these areas rather than the number of birds.
Bristled Grassbird apparently undertakes seasonal movements and may only breed irregularly at some sites. It is known to breed in the rainy season. However, the excessive heat, humidity and increase in water level in its grassy breeding sites are not favourable to access the breeding sites. Further, there are many areas where suitable habitat exists but no birders visit those areas. All this complicates a true assessment of its population.
Records of about 75 individual sightings are there. For ease of calculation, we assume the population to have remained constant over the years as the older birds die and are replaced by those coming to this world every year during the breeding season. Assuming these 75 birds to be part of a pair, the number of individuals can be put at 150. Adding an equal number for the birds that may not have been seen, we can put the total number at 300. On the basis of this number, we assume that an equal number of birds are possibly in those areas where no birders have ever gone. This will give us a conservative estimate of at least 600 birds. This estimate may look very simplistic, but 600 is still a plausible upper limit for a state where suitable habitat still exists along/near the rivers, irrigation canals, seasonal rivulets, wetlands, seasonal ponds and water-logged areas. While there may be a few excellent habitats that have not been surveyed, we feel that they would be far and few between to push the total population of mature individuals any further up than 600.
Hopefully this regional number can be used to assess the maximum global population of this species.
Dr. Gurpartap Singh
Punjab Bird Club, Punjab, India
As per our understanding, large chunk of Bristled Grassbird population in Uttar Pradesh (UP) is restricted to the terai ‘alluvial grassland’ habitat in the northern districts of the state bordering Nepal.
Most of the terai grassland habitats in UP today are restricted to the major protected area networks, of which approximately 80% of the habitat is in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserves and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, includes the protected areas of Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
The alluvial grassland habitat in the Dudhwa -Pilibhit Tiger Reserve landscape exists as grassland islands inside the core, and riverine grassland along the major braided rivers named Sharda and Ghaghra across the districts of Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich.
As part of our work in the grasslands of Dudhwa and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves, we had conducted some avifauna surveys in the landscape in 2023 and 2024.
From our experience of encounters of the species (singing males), we suspect that that by the month of May, every other large grassland inside the core of the parks at-least have 1 singing male.
Of our encounters, in Ramuvapur grassland alone (in May,24) in Dudhwa National Park, there were at-least 6 singing males. Further surveys along the riverine belts of Sachharum spontaneum grasslands had even higher densities.
Keeping, the total number of grasslands in mind and the explored and un-explored grassland belts along the river Sharda and Ghaghra. We believe that, there are potentially around 50-75 singing males in the Dudhwa Pilibhit landscape.
As stated above, based on habitat, the Dudhwa – Pilibhit population may comprise 80% of the population in terai. Hence, places like district Bijnor as well as protected areas of Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary and associated riverine habitats in west may add another 25 singing males.
Hence, in total, Terai region in total may have roughly 100 singing males, i.e. 200 odd individuals.
Although this estimate is based on extrapolations, it may act as a good starting point. Subsequent focused surveys for the bird may lead us to actual population estimates.
While Gujarat was traditionally included in the range of Bristled Grassbird, recent records and information started coming only after it was rediscovered in 2010. Most of the breeding population is in protected areas, e.g. Velavadar in Bhavnagar district has an excellent population. However, protected areas are closed during monsoon and hence very little data is available from those sites. Similar, some other ideal habitats also cannot be accessed during the monsoons.
Based on the habitat in different districts and the known presence during the breeding season, some idea on the maximum population can be obtained.
Despite those uncertainties, we think a maximum population of 225 singing males would hold good even with a proper systematic survey. Likely population may be lesser as the densities are not high overall. Some areas of Kachchh where it was seen earlier have faced habitat loss but since the entire district is vast and there are suitable habitats, we have not reduced the number there. Some grasslands in Saurashtra have been restored recently but they remain out of bounds in the monsoon season.
Bhavnagar – 60, Surendranagar – 20, Kachchh – 30, Dahod – 10, Bharuch – 20, Chhota Udepur – 10, Amreli – 10, Gir Somnath – 10, other districts of Saurashtra (including Rajkot / Morbi ) – 20 (many potential habitats exists so putting it at 20), Central Gujarat districts (other than Dahod) – 15, North Gujarat districts – 10, South Gujarat districts – 10.
With this, we arrive at a maximum threshold population for the state of Gujarat as 225 singing males or 450 mature/breeding individuals.
I completely agree with previous opinions. Grasslands and the species that depend on them are the most threatened. Bristled Grassbird is one of those species. Grasslands are constantly decreasing. And many of the ones that remain are no longer suitable for Bristled Grassbird for various reasons.
In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the major population of breeding birds is in the protected areas of the state. In the districts of the state, the maximum number of breeding males can be estimated based on the availability of suitable habitat, known species density and local knowledge of species presence. This gives us some idea about the maximum number of breeding male birds in the state.
So, thus, the maximum number of singing male birds in the state could be around 370, or 740 odd individuals. Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in India. This estimated maximum number of any species for such a large area is very low, indicating that the status of the species is worrisome. And the situation is almost the same in other states as well. Therefore, I strongly support retaining in the Bristled Grassbird in the Vulnerable category.
Pravar Mourya
Regional Coordinator, Bird Count India
In the state of Rajasthan, Bristled Grassbird is very localised. Personally, I have seen only in Ajmer, Hanumangarh and Ganganagar districts apart from Bharatpur. The districts of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh has the seepage from Rajasthan Canal (IGNP) that encourages growth of reed beds providing ideal breeding habitats. However, sites are variable. When I recorded singing males in Ajmer they probably bred in cropfields. See this note, which was probably the first time it was recorded in Rajasthan. https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB_13_2_Sangha_BristledGrassbird.pdf
Based on my understanding of the localised habitat preferences and the availability of habitats, Bristled Grassbird would be restricted to the north-western Rajasthan (Hanumangarh and Ganganagar), as an extension of the population from Punjab, and in eastern districts of Rajasthan, as an extension of population from the adjoining states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The eastern districts with ideal habitats would be Chittorgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Kota, Jhalawar, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Pratapgarh, Alwar, Bundi, and Dholpur.
It is hard to arrive at district-based estimates but the absolute upper-bound for the limited distribution in Rajasthan cannot be over 500 singing males, also considering what has been posted from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. The would give a maximum population of mature individuals as not more than 1000.
Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), that includes the former union territory of Delhi, as well as districts in adjacent states is a region little under 60,000 sqkm with over 54 million people. It extends as far northward as Karnal; westward to Jind, Bhiwani, Rewari, and Mahendranagar (all in Haryana); eastward to Meerut, Hapur, and Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh; and southward to Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. The region is traditionally well-birded, so we know where the birds are or we know where the habitats are. Some parts of NCR which has the ideal habitat for this bird, isn’t extensively birder, but not totally ignored also.
Proper Delhi has only a small population with just 4 individuals recorded, and no successful pairing observed. Including potential unrecorded birds, Delhi’s total estimate cannot be more than 10 individuals. However, the Noida region hosts the strongest population in NCR, spread across several wetlands: Dhanauri (7 singing birds), Hafizpur (3), Dadri (3), Surajpur (2), and Okhla (2). Including females and accounting for a few under-surveyed areas, the Noida region’s total estimate would be less than 50 mature individuals. Remaining
districts of Delhi NCR does not have habitat for this species. Hence, optimistically, the entire population of Delhi NCR cannot be more than 75 mature individuals.
However, the remaining districts of Haryana, it is a different story. The state is not well-covered by birders and estimation is difficult. The species has been recorded in a few locations, with records of one male each from Panipat and Rohtak, plus 6 birds (including 3 males) from Jhajhrola near Gurugram. With a total of 5 singing males, an assumed equal number of females, and accounting for under-surveyed areas, Haryana’s total estimate comes to about 20 birds. Lying neither in the zone of Ganga or Indus floodplains, most of the state is covered with thorn forest, which is not a suitable habitat. As seen from estimates from other states, good populations are centered around grasslands of protected aeras, and Haryana has no protected area with grasslands. An optimistic population estimate for the state of Haryana cannot be more than 50 individuals.
In Pakistan, it is historically known from three provinces. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. For the former two, there are no sightings thereafter since 1976 and 1999, respectively.
In Punjab, it was historically recorded to breed or potentially breed in Lahore and Jhelum. In Punjab, it was rediscovered in September 2016 after its last sightings in 1914. Just recently, two more birds were documented in July 2023. Overall, Pakistan population is known from Punjab province with three birds counted collectively.
Given the less number of birders to cover the region, combined with fragmented habitat, and persistence of birds till now since their historical records – Pakistan population would hardly be 20-30 individuals if thoroughly explored.
Azan Karam
Editor-in-Chief
Daangeer: A Quarterly Analysis of Pakistan’s Birds
There are no definitive breeding records from the state of Maharashtra. However, there are signs of breeding, a young bird seen in W Maharashtra and a singing individual in NW Maharashtra. However, the state is well birded and it would be very unlikely that any good breeding population might have been missed all along. These cases might relate to it’s habits where it may abandon breeding areas in some years. Perhaps such birds from Madhya Pradesh or Gujarat may be using habitats in Maharashtra in those years.
With all these caveats, the total breeding population in Maharashtra cannot be more than 25; but more likely in single digits.
West Bengal is a very diverse state, when it comes to its habitat. However, the state can be divided into four broad zones – (a) Himalayan (b) Plains, (c) Peninsular Indian forests and (d) Sundarbans. Please check map & introduction here. https://indianbirds.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IB_20_4_MannaETAL_WestBengalChecklist.pdf
The entire region categorised and ‘Plains’ and ‘Sundarbans’ can be treated as potential habitats of this species. However, the northern forest and high-altitude zone of the Himalayan region and the western parts of the Peninsular Indian forests do not have habitats that is suitable for the species. West Bengal is one of the better birded states in the country. However, many of the breeding sites gets inundated during the monsoons, thus becoming unreachable. Hence a physical count of singing males is near impossible from W. Bengal. Keeping in mind the habitat; the potential to host a population; and finally taking into consideration of the known records, the maximum possible estimate of singing males has been reached for each of the districts with the right kind of habitat.
Alipurduar: 40
Birbhum: 30
Cooch Behar: 20
Darjeeling: 10
Dakshin Dinajpur: 05
Hoogly:30
Jalpaiguri:30
Malda: 30
Mushidabad: 40
Nadia: 10
North 24 Pgns: 30
Paschim Bardhaman: 10
Paschim Medinipur: 40
Purba Bardhaman: 20
South 24 Parganas: 40
Uttar Dinajpur: 10
This would give a total of 390 singing males. Let us round it to a maximum of 400 singing males or 800 mature individuals in West Bengal.
Sujan Chatterjee
Birdwatchers’ Society
Kolkata
In Uttarakhand, the species is predominantly concentrated in a few localized pockets, primarily within protected areas. For instance, historical observations in the Corbett Tiger Reserve indicate a significant presence in the grasslands of Dhikala. Notably, in June 2006, an estimated 30-40 singing males were recorded in a habitat patch of approximately 8-10 square kilometers. In June 2007, around 40 individuals were observed, with a minimum of 27 identified as singing males. Furthermore, during the last week of July 2007, the population appeared to be supplemented by numerous juveniles.
However, subsequent significant declines in these numbers can be attributed to suboptimal grassland management practices, especially in Dhikala grassland. It is important to note that large expanses of suitable habitat within the Corbett Tiger Reserve remain inaccessible to visitors. It is plausible that over 100 singing males could inhabit areas along the Ramganga River and Ramganga Reservoir.
Current estimates for the Corbett Tiger Reserve suggest approximately 15-20 singing males in Dhikala, 5-6 in Dhela, and 4-5 in the Ringoda grasslands. The remaining populations are likely situated in areas that are currently inaccessible to visitors. Given the existence of these inaccessible habitats, it is reasonable to conclude that the species is likely present there.
Considering all available data, it is unlikely that the entire Corbett Tiger Reserve could support more than 150 singing males. Additional observations in Tumaria, located in Udham Singh Nagar district, have consistently indicated low numbers, with an expected population not exceeding 4-5 singing males.
The species is present in Haripura / Baur reservoir in Udham Singh Nagar district. As per Prashant Kumar, an active birder in the area, he has recorded c. 10 singing males but given the extent of suitable habitat around the reservoir, there could be 20-25 singing males in the area.
Thus, a conservative estimate for the areas including Corbett Tiger Reserve, Tumaria reservoir and Haripura / Baur reservoir suggests a population of 125-150 singing males equating to an estimated total of 250-300 mature individuals.
Bristled Grassbird, one pair, has bred twice in Belgaum, N. Karnataka (Niranjan Sant pers. comm.). https://ebird.org/checklist/S96334346
The pattern could be similar to that of Maharashtra. In some years, they might be abandoning well-known sites and perhaps picks a new site. This might be happening sporadically in C. Deccan (N Karnataka & adjoining Telangana). However, it is unlikely to be of any substantial population. Together, a maximum of 25 individuals at the max, possibly none in some years.
Sightings from Himachal Pradesh, India –
3 singing males were recorded near Shah Nehar Barrage, Pong Lake, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh during July 2020. After 3 weeks, a juvenile bird was also seen along with an adult at the same location, which indicates it’s breeding. There are many inaccessible similar patches of reeds in this area which are perhaps suitable for its breeding. Thus there could be more birds breeding here.
The species was not recorded during the next breeding season at this location.
With comments across multiple states, I believe BirdLife would post a summary and any responses. Nevertheless, here is what I am concluding.
Bristled Grassbird is certainly a widespread breeding species, from Assam and Bangladesh to Gujarat with breeding populations reaching the Sutlej basin in the north till the starting point of Deccan. Hence, extent of occurrence (EOO) of its breeding range will be a huge value (> 20,000 sq km). There are a very large number of districts in India where the species could occur, and hence Area of Occupancy (AOO) also seems to be large (> 2,000 sq km), and hence unlikely to be of any concern for Criteria B.
The species being a breeder in summer and monsoon, preferring wet habitats, population estimates, or even index of abundance is hard to obtain. There is now a narrative emerging that the species is doing well in protected areas (Chitwan, Corbett, Kuno, Velavadar, Dudhwa etc), so perhaps, some (not all) grassland practices for megafauna might be helping this breeder. However, there are a few instances where correspondents have highlighted disappearances, indicating grassland management practices does have an impact on this species. There has also been mentions of it occupying agricultural landscapes, perhaps not intensively cultivated, apart from transient river island grasslands, like in Assam. In any case, we do not have any data to justify a 30% decline in population, and hence Criteria A is also not of use. So, what remains is Criteria C, and the specific question from BirdLife whether the total population is below 10,000 – for which most of the respondents have posted estimates on.
Open landscapes are fast depleting in India. State of India’s Birds has highlighted the plight of this habitat that lacked conservation focus. Some of these estimates, presumably, are also from expert’s perceptions that particular grassy habitats exist. However, this habitat changes very rapidly. For e.g., within 2-3 years, I saw a savannah landscape in C. Karnataka turn into a solar farm. Had I not physically visited, I wouldn’t have known this recent change. Similarly, Brahmaputra chaporis (river islands) vanish and appear at will, and only local people know about it. So, these estimates, have also a risk that they are not the most current state, but based on expert’s perceptions when they visited those habitats, perhaps a few years back.
The resilience of Bristled Grassbird towards disturbance is good news. Their nature to abandon nesting sites in some years, presumably to nest elsewhere, may also work in favour for the species, for which such habitats are changing in structure and composition.
Since most states with a breeding population of Bristled Grassbird has responded, it might be prudent add up the maximum likely population value they have put. From east,
Assam (660), W. Bengal (800), Bihar (unknown), Uttar Pradesh Terai (200), Delhi NCR (which includes adjacent districts in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan & Haryana) (75), remaining Uttar Pradesh (unknown), remaining Haryana (50), Uttarakhand (300), Punjab (600), Rajasthan (1,000), Madhya Pradesh (740), Gujarat (450), Maharashtra (25), C. Deccan (N. Karnataka + adjoining Telangana) (25). The species might be breeding in some corners of Chhattisgarh or Jammu, and also in Himachal (some years, see comment from Kangra) but those populations are likely to be very small. The Maharashtra + C. Deccan population of 25+25 can absorb such cases.
There are good habitats in Bihar Terai (e.g. Valmiki), similar to Uttar Pradesh Terai, but there is also rampant illegal trapping going on that makes bird densities in general very low. Extrapolating Uttar Pradesh Terai estimates to habitats in Bihar Terai, the population cannot be more than 100; likely more like 50 (Kaushik Sarkar pers. comm.)
The Gangetic basin of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the population is unknown and no correspondences have been posted, it is still safe to estimate an absolute maximum number of 1,000; a number only matched by the estimates from Rajasthan.
With this, the total number of mature individuals in India cannot be more than 5925. Including 20-30 individuals in Pakistan, let us round it to 6,000 mature individuals.
As already noted in the account, the Bangladesh population is 756.7 (443-1294). In the same principle, we can consider the absolute maximum Bangladesh population as 1300.
Now, what remains, is the estimate from Nepal. The last available estimate for Nepal was in 2012, which is 3300. Is there a revised estimate available? I would be surprised if this number has gone up in a decade with grasslands facing conversions across South Asia.
Adding everything, we find that the maximum likely population of this species is about 11,000 mature individuals – and not 50,000. BirdLife has used 6,000 as the maximum likely population for Nepal in 2024. If we use that number for Nepal (which is the same as the maximum likely population in India + Pakistan!), then we are looking at a slightly higher value at 13,300.
Considering that these maximum likely population is an over-estimate, and a big over-estimate in some states, there is an extremely high likelihood that the total population is below 10,000. Though we do not know much about declines, it is also highly likely that the declines are above 10% in 10 years. There is only one single connected global population, as already considered in the account.
Hence, this species is still meeting the IUCN criteria for Vulnerable C2a(ii).
I would at least recommend the topic be pend if more information is needed from Nepal. Down-listing, considering all the above comments, definitely seems to be in haste.
Bristled Grassbird is a tall grass dependent species being uncommon sighting for lesser population in National Capital Region – Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi includes few surrounding districts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) except few known sites due to degrading tall grassland habitat for agriculture, industrial development, extension of towns/cities, over grazing, human intervention, climate change impact outside the protected areas but except few well maintained protected areas. Exact breeding or population census of this species has not been done in the country to get the exact population. Its category as VU species should remain.
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 28 October 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 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
50,000 seems very over optimistic, although one must point out that birding records tend to over detect singing males, and may actually underestimate the population. There needs to be some more quantitative data, but it does seem unlikely that the population in India exceeds 10,000 based on current knowledge.
I also agree on the likelihood of rapid declines. The species is also somewhat nomadic, and may not breed at the same place every year in some areas of its range. This alone suggests a smaller population than the geographic spread of records would suggest. During field work at Manas in peak breeding season in 2021, we only heard one bird. Similarly, during breeding season field work in Rajasthan in 2022, we found only one singing bird, although these surveys were not targeted at the species and may have missed a few.
With regards to habitat resilience, the species seems to quite regularly sing (and perhaps breed) in pearl millet crop, which may be a useful fact to consider. However, if other birds such as the Lesser Florican are any indicator, densities are probably much lower outside tall grassland, and the latter is probably the single most threatened habitat in India.
Summarizing (and I only added to what was already discussed), downlisting is premature and hasty, especially given the methodology being used to determine this. The current state of grassland birds in India would suggest that we will simply be having this conversation again in two years’ time. Why not be precautious?
We thank all those who have taken the time to post additional information, which has proven exceptionally useful. A special thanks to Praveen J is given for summarising it so excellently and coming up with a plausible population size, which we broadly agree with. It is evidently possible that the global population size of this species could be below 10,000 mature individuals.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to list Bristled Grassbird as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(ii). i.e., it is proposed that the species’ current category is maintained.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
There are a few important papers from Bangladesh that are being missed out.
1. Jahan, I., Savini, T., Thompson, PM, Round, PD, Gale GA. 2022. Microhabitat variables influencing the presence and abundance of birds in floodplain grassland of the lower Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, Bangladesh. Global Ecology and Conservation, volume 38 (2022). ISSN 2351-9894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02201
2. Jahan, I., Round, PD, Thompson, PM, Savini, T., Gale GA. 2023. Differential responses to habitat structure and degradation by two Grassbirds (Fam. Locustellidae) syntopic in floodplain grassland. Wetland Ecology and Management, 31 (6): 775–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-023-09948-x
3. Jahan, I., Round, PD, Thompson, PM, Jones, WM, Savini, T. & Gale GA. 2024. Notes on biometrics, breeding, and territory size of Bristled Grassbird (Schoenicola striatus). Journal of Asian Ornithology 40: 40-45.
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 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Bristled Grassbird is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(ii).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
It is a tall grass dependent species and such habitat are vanishing alarmingly, especially outside the protected areas. If one goes by “Justification” narrated above, it should remain in VU category. If it is felt that “Justification” para is not correct, then it may be downlisted. Since grasslands are cleared for agriculture as well as industrial development, the loss of grass habitat could be rapid.
The species’ habitat faces significant threats, including seasonal burning, overgrazing, degradation accelerated by invasive species, and agricultural expansion. Without a comprehensive approach to monitor and assess population trends and habitat loss, downlisting this species would be premature.
Is there any reasonable likelihood that the global population is lower than 10,000 individuals ?
There has not been any estimation of population in India. However, if the region is split into multiple populations by state, this is feasible. Though formal surveys and estimations have not been done, local knowledge of species densities, habitat preferences, and availability of suitable habitats in each district can be used to estimate an absolute maximum threshold of the population of mature individuals. The Assam Bird Monitoring Network conducted such an exercise among the regular birders in all districts in Assam to arrive at an absolute maximum threshold of 330 singing males, which makes a maximum population of 660 mature individuals in Assam. The likely population is expected to be much lower than this, but this number is still useful to evaluate whether there are 10,000 mature individuals globally.
Details of the population of singing males per district:
Baksa (20), Barpeta (20), Biswanath (20), Bongaigaon (5), Cachar (0), Charaideo (0), Chirang (5), Darrang (10), Dhemaji (20), Dhubri (10), Dibrugarh (20), Dima Hasao (0), Goalpara (10), Golaghat (10), Hailakandi (10), Hojai (0), Jorhat (20), Kamrup (10), Kamrup Metro (5), Karbi Anglong (0), Karimganj (0), Kokrajhar (10), Lakhimpur (10), Majuli (10), Morigaon (10), Nagaon (20), Nalbari (5), Sivasagar (10), Sonitpur (20), South Salmara-Mankachar (5), Tinsukia (20), Udalguri (10), West Karbi Anglong (0), Tamalpur (5).
Leons Mathew Abraham
Assam Bird Monitoring Network
In the Indian state of Punjab, Bristled Grassbird has been observed at several locations in the districts of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Patiala, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarntaran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala and Ludhiana. But maximum sightings are from Jawaharpur in district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar and Harike Wildlife Sanctuary (covering areas in Tarntaran and Ferozepur districts. But, this has more to do with the number of birders visiting these areas rather than the number of birds.
Bristled Grassbird apparently undertakes seasonal movements and may only breed irregularly at some sites. It is known to breed in the rainy season. However, the excessive heat, humidity and increase in water level in its grassy breeding sites are not favourable to access the breeding sites. Further, there are many areas where suitable habitat exists but no birders visit those areas. All this complicates a true assessment of its population.
Records of about 75 individual sightings are there. For ease of calculation, we assume the population to have remained constant over the years as the older birds die and are replaced by those coming to this world every year during the breeding season. Assuming these 75 birds to be part of a pair, the number of individuals can be put at 150. Adding an equal number for the birds that may not have been seen, we can put the total number at 300. On the basis of this number, we assume that an equal number of birds are possibly in those areas where no birders have ever gone. This will give us a conservative estimate of at least 600 birds. This estimate may look very simplistic, but 600 is still a plausible upper limit for a state where suitable habitat still exists along/near the rivers, irrigation canals, seasonal rivulets, wetlands, seasonal ponds and water-logged areas. While there may be a few excellent habitats that have not been surveyed, we feel that they would be far and few between to push the total population of mature individuals any further up than 600.
Hopefully this regional number can be used to assess the maximum global population of this species.
Dr. Gurpartap Singh
Punjab Bird Club, Punjab, India
As per our understanding, large chunk of Bristled Grassbird population in Uttar Pradesh (UP) is restricted to the terai ‘alluvial grassland’ habitat in the northern districts of the state bordering Nepal.
Most of the terai grassland habitats in UP today are restricted to the major protected area networks, of which approximately 80% of the habitat is in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserves and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, includes the protected areas of Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
The alluvial grassland habitat in the Dudhwa -Pilibhit Tiger Reserve landscape exists as grassland islands inside the core, and riverine grassland along the major braided rivers named Sharda and Ghaghra across the districts of Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich.
As part of our work in the grasslands of Dudhwa and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves, we had conducted some avifauna surveys in the landscape in 2023 and 2024.
From our experience of encounters of the species (singing males), we suspect that that by the month of May, every other large grassland inside the core of the parks at-least have 1 singing male.
Of our encounters, in Ramuvapur grassland alone (in May,24) in Dudhwa National Park, there were at-least 6 singing males. Further surveys along the riverine belts of Sachharum spontaneum grasslands had even higher densities.
Keeping, the total number of grasslands in mind and the explored and un-explored grassland belts along the river Sharda and Ghaghra. We believe that, there are potentially around 50-75 singing males in the Dudhwa Pilibhit landscape.
As stated above, based on habitat, the Dudhwa – Pilibhit population may comprise 80% of the population in terai. Hence, places like district Bijnor as well as protected areas of Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary and associated riverine habitats in west may add another 25 singing males.
Hence, in total, Terai region in total may have roughly 100 singing males, i.e. 200 odd individuals.
Although this estimate is based on extrapolations, it may act as a good starting point. Subsequent focused surveys for the bird may lead us to actual population estimates.
Kaushik Sarkar
The Habitats Trust
Population in Gujarat, India
While Gujarat was traditionally included in the range of Bristled Grassbird, recent records and information started coming only after it was rediscovered in 2010. Most of the breeding population is in protected areas, e.g. Velavadar in Bhavnagar district has an excellent population. However, protected areas are closed during monsoon and hence very little data is available from those sites. Similar, some other ideal habitats also cannot be accessed during the monsoons.
Based on the habitat in different districts and the known presence during the breeding season, some idea on the maximum population can be obtained.
Despite those uncertainties, we think a maximum population of 225 singing males would hold good even with a proper systematic survey. Likely population may be lesser as the densities are not high overall. Some areas of Kachchh where it was seen earlier have faced habitat loss but since the entire district is vast and there are suitable habitats, we have not reduced the number there. Some grasslands in Saurashtra have been restored recently but they remain out of bounds in the monsoon season.
Bhavnagar – 60, Surendranagar – 20, Kachchh – 30, Dahod – 10, Bharuch – 20, Chhota Udepur – 10, Amreli – 10, Gir Somnath – 10, other districts of Saurashtra (including Rajkot / Morbi ) – 20 (many potential habitats exists so putting it at 20), Central Gujarat districts (other than Dahod) – 15, North Gujarat districts – 10, South Gujarat districts – 10.
With this, we arrive at a maximum threshold population for the state of Gujarat as 225 singing males or 450 mature/breeding individuals.
Prasad Ganpule
Bird Conservation Society, Gujarat
I completely agree with previous opinions. Grasslands and the species that depend on them are the most threatened. Bristled Grassbird is one of those species. Grasslands are constantly decreasing. And many of the ones that remain are no longer suitable for Bristled Grassbird for various reasons.
In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the major population of breeding birds is in the protected areas of the state. In the districts of the state, the maximum number of breeding males can be estimated based on the availability of suitable habitat, known species density and local knowledge of species presence. This gives us some idea about the maximum number of breeding male birds in the state.
Ratlam (30), Mandsaur (30), Neemuch (30), Jhabua (25), Dhar (20), Agar Malwa (20), Shajapur (20), Rajgarh (15), Guna (15), Sheopur (20), Shivpuri (10), Gwalior (10), Panna (20), Bhopal (10), Narmadapuram (20), Sagar (10), Damoh (15), Balaghat (20), Seoni (10), Mandla (20)
So, thus, the maximum number of singing male birds in the state could be around 370, or 740 odd individuals. Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in India. This estimated maximum number of any species for such a large area is very low, indicating that the status of the species is worrisome. And the situation is almost the same in other states as well. Therefore, I strongly support retaining in the Bristled Grassbird in the Vulnerable category.
Pravar Mourya
Regional Coordinator, Bird Count India
Saw one bristled grassbird in dhanauri, u.p. on 1st sept
In the state of Rajasthan, Bristled Grassbird is very localised. Personally, I have seen only in Ajmer, Hanumangarh and Ganganagar districts apart from Bharatpur. The districts of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh has the seepage from Rajasthan Canal (IGNP) that encourages growth of reed beds providing ideal breeding habitats. However, sites are variable. When I recorded singing males in Ajmer they probably bred in cropfields. See this note, which was probably the first time it was recorded in Rajasthan.
https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB_13_2_Sangha_BristledGrassbird.pdf
Based on my understanding of the localised habitat preferences and the availability of habitats, Bristled Grassbird would be restricted to the north-western Rajasthan (Hanumangarh and Ganganagar), as an extension of the population from Punjab, and in eastern districts of Rajasthan, as an extension of population from the adjoining states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The eastern districts with ideal habitats would be Chittorgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Kota, Jhalawar, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Pratapgarh, Alwar, Bundi, and Dholpur.
It is hard to arrive at district-based estimates but the absolute upper-bound for the limited distribution in Rajasthan cannot be over 500 singing males, also considering what has been posted from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. The would give a maximum population of mature individuals as not more than 1000.
Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), that includes the former union territory of Delhi, as well as districts in adjacent states is a region little under 60,000 sqkm with over 54 million people. It extends as far northward as Karnal; westward to Jind, Bhiwani, Rewari, and Mahendranagar (all in Haryana); eastward to Meerut, Hapur, and Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh; and southward to Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. The region is traditionally well-birded, so we know where the birds are or we know where the habitats are. Some parts of NCR which has the ideal habitat for this bird, isn’t extensively birder, but not totally ignored also.
Proper Delhi has only a small population with just 4 individuals recorded, and no successful pairing observed. Including potential unrecorded birds, Delhi’s total estimate cannot be more than 10 individuals. However, the Noida region hosts the strongest population in NCR, spread across several wetlands: Dhanauri (7 singing birds), Hafizpur (3), Dadri (3), Surajpur (2), and Okhla (2). Including females and accounting for a few under-surveyed areas, the Noida region’s total estimate would be less than 50 mature individuals. Remaining
districts of Delhi NCR does not have habitat for this species. Hence, optimistically, the entire population of Delhi NCR cannot be more than 75 mature individuals.
However, the remaining districts of Haryana, it is a different story. The state is not well-covered by birders and estimation is difficult. The species has been recorded in a few locations, with records of one male each from Panipat and Rohtak, plus 6 birds (including 3 males) from Jhajhrola near Gurugram. With a total of 5 singing males, an assumed equal number of females, and accounting for under-surveyed areas, Haryana’s total estimate comes to about 20 birds. Lying neither in the zone of Ganga or Indus floodplains, most of the state is covered with thorn forest, which is not a suitable habitat. As seen from estimates from other states, good populations are centered around grasslands of protected aeras, and Haryana has no protected area with grasslands. An optimistic population estimate for the state of Haryana cannot be more than 50 individuals.
Pankaj Gupta
Member Delhi Bird Club
Data from Pakistan:
In Pakistan, it is historically known from three provinces. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. For the former two, there are no sightings thereafter since 1976 and 1999, respectively.
In Punjab, it was historically recorded to breed or potentially breed in Lahore and Jhelum. In Punjab, it was rediscovered in September 2016 after its last sightings in 1914. Just recently, two more birds were documented in July 2023. Overall, Pakistan population is known from Punjab province with three birds counted collectively.
Given the less number of birders to cover the region, combined with fragmented habitat, and persistence of birds till now since their historical records – Pakistan population would hardly be 20-30 individuals if thoroughly explored.
Azan Karam
Editor-in-Chief
Daangeer: A Quarterly Analysis of Pakistan’s Birds
There are no definitive breeding records from the state of Maharashtra. However, there are signs of breeding, a young bird seen in W Maharashtra and a singing individual in NW Maharashtra. However, the state is well birded and it would be very unlikely that any good breeding population might have been missed all along. These cases might relate to it’s habits where it may abandon breeding areas in some years. Perhaps such birds from Madhya Pradesh or Gujarat may be using habitats in Maharashtra in those years.
With all these caveats, the total breeding population in Maharashtra cannot be more than 25; but more likely in single digits.
West Bengal is a very diverse state, when it comes to its habitat. However, the state can be divided into four broad zones – (a) Himalayan (b) Plains, (c) Peninsular Indian forests and (d) Sundarbans. Please check map & introduction here.
https://indianbirds.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IB_20_4_MannaETAL_WestBengalChecklist.pdf
The entire region categorised and ‘Plains’ and ‘Sundarbans’ can be treated as potential habitats of this species. However, the northern forest and high-altitude zone of the Himalayan region and the western parts of the Peninsular Indian forests do not have habitats that is suitable for the species. West Bengal is one of the better birded states in the country. However, many of the breeding sites gets inundated during the monsoons, thus becoming unreachable. Hence a physical count of singing males is near impossible from W. Bengal. Keeping in mind the habitat; the potential to host a population; and finally taking into consideration of the known records, the maximum possible estimate of singing males has been reached for each of the districts with the right kind of habitat.
Alipurduar: 40
Birbhum: 30
Cooch Behar: 20
Darjeeling: 10
Dakshin Dinajpur: 05
Hoogly:30
Jalpaiguri:30
Malda: 30
Mushidabad: 40
Nadia: 10
North 24 Pgns: 30
Paschim Bardhaman: 10
Paschim Medinipur: 40
Purba Bardhaman: 20
South 24 Parganas: 40
Uttar Dinajpur: 10
This would give a total of 390 singing males. Let us round it to a maximum of 400 singing males or 800 mature individuals in West Bengal.
Sujan Chatterjee
Birdwatchers’ Society
Kolkata
In Uttarakhand, the species is predominantly concentrated in a few localized pockets, primarily within protected areas. For instance, historical observations in the Corbett Tiger Reserve indicate a significant presence in the grasslands of Dhikala. Notably, in June 2006, an estimated 30-40 singing males were recorded in a habitat patch of approximately 8-10 square kilometers. In June 2007, around 40 individuals were observed, with a minimum of 27 identified as singing males. Furthermore, during the last week of July 2007, the population appeared to be supplemented by numerous juveniles.
However, subsequent significant declines in these numbers can be attributed to suboptimal grassland management practices, especially in Dhikala grassland. It is important to note that large expanses of suitable habitat within the Corbett Tiger Reserve remain inaccessible to visitors. It is plausible that over 100 singing males could inhabit areas along the Ramganga River and Ramganga Reservoir.
Current estimates for the Corbett Tiger Reserve suggest approximately 15-20 singing males in Dhikala, 5-6 in Dhela, and 4-5 in the Ringoda grasslands. The remaining populations are likely situated in areas that are currently inaccessible to visitors. Given the existence of these inaccessible habitats, it is reasonable to conclude that the species is likely present there.
Considering all available data, it is unlikely that the entire Corbett Tiger Reserve could support more than 150 singing males. Additional observations in Tumaria, located in Udham Singh Nagar district, have consistently indicated low numbers, with an expected population not exceeding 4-5 singing males.
The species is present in Haripura / Baur reservoir in Udham Singh Nagar district. As per Prashant Kumar, an active birder in the area, he has recorded c. 10 singing males but given the extent of suitable habitat around the reservoir, there could be 20-25 singing males in the area.
Thus, a conservative estimate for the areas including Corbett Tiger Reserve, Tumaria reservoir and Haripura / Baur reservoir suggests a population of 125-150 singing males equating to an estimated total of 250-300 mature individuals.
Bristled Grassbird, one pair, has bred twice in Belgaum, N. Karnataka (Niranjan Sant pers. comm.).
https://ebird.org/checklist/S96334346
The pattern could be similar to that of Maharashtra. In some years, they might be abandoning well-known sites and perhaps picks a new site. This might be happening sporadically in C. Deccan (N Karnataka & adjoining Telangana). However, it is unlikely to be of any substantial population. Together, a maximum of 25 individuals at the max, possibly none in some years.
Sightings from Himachal Pradesh, India –
3 singing males were recorded near Shah Nehar Barrage, Pong Lake, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh during July 2020. After 3 weeks, a juvenile bird was also seen along with an adult at the same location, which indicates it’s breeding. There are many inaccessible similar patches of reeds in this area which are perhaps suitable for its breeding. Thus there could be more birds breeding here.
The species was not recorded during the next breeding season at this location.
With comments across multiple states, I believe BirdLife would post a summary and any responses. Nevertheless, here is what I am concluding.
Bristled Grassbird is certainly a widespread breeding species, from Assam and Bangladesh to Gujarat with breeding populations reaching the Sutlej basin in the north till the starting point of Deccan. Hence, extent of occurrence (EOO) of its breeding range will be a huge value (> 20,000 sq km). There are a very large number of districts in India where the species could occur, and hence Area of Occupancy (AOO) also seems to be large (> 2,000 sq km), and hence unlikely to be of any concern for Criteria B.
The species being a breeder in summer and monsoon, preferring wet habitats, population estimates, or even index of abundance is hard to obtain. There is now a narrative emerging that the species is doing well in protected areas (Chitwan, Corbett, Kuno, Velavadar, Dudhwa etc), so perhaps, some (not all) grassland practices for megafauna might be helping this breeder. However, there are a few instances where correspondents have highlighted disappearances, indicating grassland management practices does have an impact on this species. There has also been mentions of it occupying agricultural landscapes, perhaps not intensively cultivated, apart from transient river island grasslands, like in Assam. In any case, we do not have any data to justify a 30% decline in population, and hence Criteria A is also not of use. So, what remains is Criteria C, and the specific question from BirdLife whether the total population is below 10,000 – for which most of the respondents have posted estimates on.
Open landscapes are fast depleting in India. State of India’s Birds has highlighted the plight of this habitat that lacked conservation focus. Some of these estimates, presumably, are also from expert’s perceptions that particular grassy habitats exist. However, this habitat changes very rapidly. For e.g., within 2-3 years, I saw a savannah landscape in C. Karnataka turn into a solar farm. Had I not physically visited, I wouldn’t have known this recent change. Similarly, Brahmaputra chaporis (river islands) vanish and appear at will, and only local people know about it. So, these estimates, have also a risk that they are not the most current state, but based on expert’s perceptions when they visited those habitats, perhaps a few years back.
The resilience of Bristled Grassbird towards disturbance is good news. Their nature to abandon nesting sites in some years, presumably to nest elsewhere, may also work in favour for the species, for which such habitats are changing in structure and composition.
Since most states with a breeding population of Bristled Grassbird has responded, it might be prudent add up the maximum likely population value they have put. From east,
Assam (660), W. Bengal (800), Bihar (unknown), Uttar Pradesh Terai (200), Delhi NCR (which includes adjacent districts in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan & Haryana) (75), remaining Uttar Pradesh (unknown), remaining Haryana (50), Uttarakhand (300), Punjab (600), Rajasthan (1,000), Madhya Pradesh (740), Gujarat (450), Maharashtra (25), C. Deccan (N. Karnataka + adjoining Telangana) (25). The species might be breeding in some corners of Chhattisgarh or Jammu, and also in Himachal (some years, see comment from Kangra) but those populations are likely to be very small. The Maharashtra + C. Deccan population of 25+25 can absorb such cases.
There are good habitats in Bihar Terai (e.g. Valmiki), similar to Uttar Pradesh Terai, but there is also rampant illegal trapping going on that makes bird densities in general very low. Extrapolating Uttar Pradesh Terai estimates to habitats in Bihar Terai, the population cannot be more than 100; likely more like 50 (Kaushik Sarkar pers. comm.)
The Gangetic basin of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the population is unknown and no correspondences have been posted, it is still safe to estimate an absolute maximum number of 1,000; a number only matched by the estimates from Rajasthan.
With this, the total number of mature individuals in India cannot be more than 5925. Including 20-30 individuals in Pakistan, let us round it to 6,000 mature individuals.
As already noted in the account, the Bangladesh population is 756.7 (443-1294). In the same principle, we can consider the absolute maximum Bangladesh population as 1300.
Now, what remains, is the estimate from Nepal. The last available estimate for Nepal was in 2012, which is 3300. Is there a revised estimate available? I would be surprised if this number has gone up in a decade with grasslands facing conversions across South Asia.
Adding everything, we find that the maximum likely population of this species is about 11,000 mature individuals – and not 50,000. BirdLife has used 6,000 as the maximum likely population for Nepal in 2024. If we use that number for Nepal (which is the same as the maximum likely population in India + Pakistan!), then we are looking at a slightly higher value at 13,300.
Considering that these maximum likely population is an over-estimate, and a big over-estimate in some states, there is an extremely high likelihood that the total population is below 10,000. Though we do not know much about declines, it is also highly likely that the declines are above 10% in 10 years. There is only one single connected global population, as already considered in the account.
Hence, this species is still meeting the IUCN criteria for Vulnerable C2a(ii).
I would at least recommend the topic be pend if more information is needed from Nepal. Down-listing, considering all the above comments, definitely seems to be in haste.
Bristled Grassbird is a tall grass dependent species being uncommon sighting for lesser population in National Capital Region – Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi includes few surrounding districts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) except few known sites due to degrading tall grassland habitat for agriculture, industrial development, extension of towns/cities, over grazing, human intervention, climate change impact outside the protected areas but except few well maintained protected areas. Exact breeding or population census of this species has not been done in the country to get the exact population. Its category as VU species should remain.
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 28 October 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 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
50,000 seems very over optimistic, although one must point out that birding records tend to over detect singing males, and may actually underestimate the population. There needs to be some more quantitative data, but it does seem unlikely that the population in India exceeds 10,000 based on current knowledge.
I also agree on the likelihood of rapid declines. The species is also somewhat nomadic, and may not breed at the same place every year in some areas of its range. This alone suggests a smaller population than the geographic spread of records would suggest. During field work at Manas in peak breeding season in 2021, we only heard one bird. Similarly, during breeding season field work in Rajasthan in 2022, we found only one singing bird, although these surveys were not targeted at the species and may have missed a few.
With regards to habitat resilience, the species seems to quite regularly sing (and perhaps breed) in pearl millet crop, which may be a useful fact to consider. However, if other birds such as the Lesser Florican are any indicator, densities are probably much lower outside tall grassland, and the latter is probably the single most threatened habitat in India.
Summarizing (and I only added to what was already discussed), downlisting is premature and hasty, especially given the methodology being used to determine this. The current state of grassland birds in India would suggest that we will simply be having this conversation again in two years’ time. Why not be precautious?
Preliminary proposal
We thank all those who have taken the time to post additional information, which has proven exceptionally useful. A special thanks to Praveen J is given for summarising it so excellently and coming up with a plausible population size, which we broadly agree with. It is evidently possible that the global population size of this species could be below 10,000 mature individuals.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to list Bristled Grassbird as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(ii). i.e., it is proposed that the species’ current category is maintained.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
No more comment on my already posted earlier comment
There are a few important papers from Bangladesh that are being missed out.
1. Jahan, I., Savini, T., Thompson, PM, Round, PD, Gale GA. 2022. Microhabitat variables influencing the presence and abundance of birds in floodplain grassland of the lower Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, Bangladesh. Global Ecology and Conservation, volume 38 (2022). ISSN 2351-9894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02201
2. Jahan, I., Round, PD, Thompson, PM, Savini, T., Gale GA. 2023. Differential responses to habitat structure and degradation by two Grassbirds (Fam. Locustellidae) syntopic in floodplain grassland. Wetland Ecology and Management, 31 (6): 775–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-023-09948-x
3. Jahan, I., Round, PD, Thompson, PM, Jones, WM, Savini, T. & Gale GA. 2024. Notes on biometrics, breeding, and territory size of Bristled Grassbird (Schoenicola striatus). Journal of Asian Ornithology 40: 40-45.
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 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Bristled Grassbird is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(ii).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.