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

Justification of Red List category
This laughingthrush species has a highly restricted range, being confined only to four areas of montane forest in the Western Ghats of southwest India. Habitat loss and degradation is thought to be ongoing and, given the species' small range, its extinction risk is therefore perceived to be very high. It therefore qualifies for Endangered.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been formally estimated, but this species' range comprises an area <180 km², and therefore its population size is assumed to be relatively small. The southernmost site, Vellarimala–Chembra, likely numbers >250 mature individuals (Praveen J in litt. 2016) and is therefore suspected to number 250–750 mature individuals, equivalent to a density (that accounts also for occupancy) of approximately 3–9 mature individuals/km², which is considered subjectively reasonable based on the densities of other laughingthrushes, and citizen science observations (eBird 2023). Assuming a relatively even density across its range (i.e. equivalent densities in the other three forest areas), then the total global population of this species is suspected to number c.530–1,600 mature individuals. A best estimate at the lower end of this range (530–1,200) because of reports of lower densities at some sites (Praveen J 2020).

Trend justification
Presumably much 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 slow 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), although these analyses are relatively insensitive to forest degradation or modifications that don't affect the forest canopy. The greatest threat to this species is probably now fires, which have in some years destroyed significant areas of habitat (e.g., in 2018: Rajeev 2018). Given this species' high elevational range, it is possible that climate change may cause additive declines in the future.

Montecincla jerdoni is endemic to southern India. It is restricted to high elevations in the districts of Wayanad (Kerala) and Coorg (Karnataka), with the largest population likely in the Vellarimala-Chembra region. Less than 10% of its range is covered by protected areas (Praveen and Nameer 2012).

Resident. Restricted to broadleaf evergreen forest, especially shola forest, with dense undergrowth, above 1,400 m (but typically over 1,600 m), up to a maximum of 2,400 m (Aparnadevi 2011, Praveen J 2020).

The threats to this species are reviewed by Praveen J (2020). By far the most acute threat is that of habitat loss and degradation, particularly caused by summer fires which, in some years, destroy a large area of suitable habitat (Rajeev 2018). There are reports of ecotourism activities contributing to damage at some sites, although the impact of this is probably marginal. Similarly, invasive species were speculated by Praveen J (2020) to be a potential threat, but they concluded that further research was needed. Almost none of the suitable habitat for this species lies within India's protected area network, rendering almost all of it vulnerable to future threats. Although not mentioned by Praveen J (2020), climate change may prove a threat to this species, both in increasing the frequency and intensity of annual fires, and also reducing via an escalation to extinction effect, especially considering that encounter rates of this species are greatest in the highest altitude forests (Aparnadevi and Vinayan 2013).

Conservation Actions Underway
No new protected areas have been formed despite some efforts to get them notified (Praveen J in litt. 2016). A major part of its range falls under reserve forests but these designations are often undermined by trekking activities by ecotourists (Praveen J in litt. 2016). 

Conservation Actions Proposed
The most urgent conservation action needed for this species is the protection of much (if not ideally all) suitable habitat within its range (Praveen J and Nameer 2012); currently, only the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is protected, in which recent surveys found it at lower densities than elsewhere (Aparnadevi and Vinayan 2013). Research is needed on the impact and severity of forest fires, as well as investigating the postulation in Praveen J (2020) that invasive species may be a threat. Density studies throughout its range are needed to generate a more precise global population estimate, and to determine whether there are changes in density over time, particularly in response to climate change. Monitoring of habitat trends should continue using remote sensing data.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Praveen, J. & Rahmani, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Banasura Chilappan Montecincla jerdoni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/banasura-chilappan-montecincla-jerdoni on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.