• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range within which it is confined to a small number of locations. Therefore, it is listed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
A potential estimate of 5,806 pairs has been made (Vivek Chandran A. in litt. 2016), which is provisionally accepted here (set to a broader set of bounds of 10,000-13,000 to incorporate uncertainty) .

Trend justification
Presumably declined from historical baselines given the significant removal of habitat from within its range (see Reddy et al. [2016] for summary of forest cover changes in the Western Ghats between 1920 and 2013). There are no monitoring data from which to derive a current trend for this species, although it is precautionarily suspected to be declining, albeit at a slow rate. Habitat loss and degradation has been very slow to negligible over the past decade (2013–2023) according to remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), and this species is evidently tolerant of some habitat modifications, occurring also in scrub and plantations (del Hoyo et al. 2020, eBird 2023).

Montecincla meridionalis is found in the Agasthyamalai hills, India (Praveen and Nameer 2012). Its range is highly restricted, with most records coming from Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the neighbouring Neyyar–Peppara WLS. 

It can be found in broadleaf evergreen forest, secondary forest and occasionally plantations and areas of scrub adjacent to forest. Mostly above 1,200 m, sometimes up to 2,135 m (del Hoyo et al. 2020).

An increasing human population has led to growing illegal encroachment into Western Ghat forests. Livestock grazing, together with the harvesting of fuelwood and huge quantities of forest products such as bamboo and canes, are likely to have a negative effect on this species, although much of its range lies within protected areas. Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change (Praveen J. in litt. 2010).

Conservation Actions Underway
None specifically for this species is known, although much of its range is circumscribed by protected areas, including  Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the neighbouring Neyyar–Peppara WLS.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct ecological studies to determine the precise habitat requirements of this species, as well as its response to disturbance and fragmentation. Regularly monitor populations at selected sites and develop a database of information for formulating conservation management strategies for different areas. Protect areas of suitable habitat.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Praveen, J. & Chandran A, V.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ashambu Chilappan Montecincla meridionalis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ashambu-chilappan-montecincla-meridionalis on 24/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/11/2024.