9 thoughts on “Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler (Spelaeornis longicaudatus): Revise global status?”
This species was historically reported only from the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, especially areas around Cherrapunjee. However, in 2018, we reported an observation of this species from the Jaintia Hills, which extends the known distribution of this species by a further 50 kms to the southeast. The behavior of the observed birds also indicated that they were probably feeding young birds which probably suggests that they were local residents. This observation could be taken into account – the increase in its distribution area against the factors that argue for change in IUCN status. The quoted article is here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332866269_Tawny-breasted_Wren-Babbler_Spelaeornis_longicaudatus_in_the_Jaintia_Hills_and_an_update_on_its_status_in_Meghalaya
Meghalaya, specifically Khasi hills, is undergoing serious habitat conversion with several of the previously available sites now converted to cultivation, housing or degraded to such an extent that the it no longer supports the species. There has not been any survey in the breeding season to support the number of sites occupied by the species – tourists visit the well-known site only. There are no national parks or wildlife sanctuaries in its species range and hence scope of established protection frameworks is meagre. Pockets of habitats like the sacred groves of Jaintia district are probably the only type of protected forests – occupancy details of those forests are missing (except for the record quoted above).
Absence of recent surveys preclude me from suggesting an uplisting of status to Vulnerable but it’s clear that the future of TWBB is Meghalaya is bleak.
Completely agree with Praveen. Our knowledge about the population size and extent of habitat change (and its impacts on the species) is so limited that any down-listing will be a risk.
I think it makes sense to err on the side of caution given all the points Praveen has raised – range largely outside protected areas, rate of suitable habitat loss unknown, species locations largely unknown.
I also agree with Praveen here, even though the bird has been recorded from a couple of more locations, records are still very sparse. Our surveys, conducted a few years ago in a sacred grove in Jaintia hills (similar elevation and habitat), did not find this species.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
The concern expressed for the species is noted and has been carefully considered. The number of locations* remains unset and in light of the main threat, habitat conversion, would exceed ten (particularly considering the recent range expansion), leading to the assessment as Near Threatened under Criterion B1. In the absence of a population estimate and with no information to suspect that rates of population reduction exceed 30% over the short time-period relevant for the species (10 years), the species does not meet thresholds for listing as threatened on the available information.
Accordingly, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 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 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, 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 by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching the thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion B1b(iii).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
This species was historically reported only from the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, especially areas around Cherrapunjee. However, in 2018, we reported an observation of this species from the Jaintia Hills, which extends the known distribution of this species by a further 50 kms to the southeast. The behavior of the observed birds also indicated that they were probably feeding young birds which probably suggests that they were local residents. This observation could be taken into account – the increase in its distribution area against the factors that argue for change in IUCN status. The quoted article is here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332866269_Tawny-breasted_Wren-Babbler_Spelaeornis_longicaudatus_in_the_Jaintia_Hills_and_an_update_on_its_status_in_Meghalaya
I think this decision would be in great haste.
Meghalaya, specifically Khasi hills, is undergoing serious habitat conversion with several of the previously available sites now converted to cultivation, housing or degraded to such an extent that the it no longer supports the species. There has not been any survey in the breeding season to support the number of sites occupied by the species – tourists visit the well-known site only. There are no national parks or wildlife sanctuaries in its species range and hence scope of established protection frameworks is meagre. Pockets of habitats like the sacred groves of Jaintia district are probably the only type of protected forests – occupancy details of those forests are missing (except for the record quoted above).
Absence of recent surveys preclude me from suggesting an uplisting of status to Vulnerable but it’s clear that the future of TWBB is Meghalaya is bleak.
Completely agree with Praveen. Our knowledge about the population size and extent of habitat change (and its impacts on the species) is so limited that any down-listing will be a risk.
I think it makes sense to err on the side of caution given all the points Praveen has raised – range largely outside protected areas, rate of suitable habitat loss unknown, species locations largely unknown.
I also agree with Praveen here, even though the bird has been recorded from a couple of more locations, records are still very sparse. Our surveys, conducted a few years ago in a sacred grove in Jaintia hills (similar elevation and habitat), did not find this species.
I agree with Praveen.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
The concern expressed for the species is noted and has been carefully considered. The number of locations* remains unset and in light of the main threat, habitat conversion, would exceed ten (particularly considering the recent range expansion), leading to the assessment as Near Threatened under Criterion B1. In the absence of a population estimate and with no information to suspect that rates of population reduction exceed 30% over the short time-period relevant for the species (10 years), the species does not meet thresholds for listing as threatened on the available information.
Accordingly, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 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 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, 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 by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened, approaching the thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion B1b(iii).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.