Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This grassland species is now likely endemic to north-east India, where it occurs at very few, widely scattered sites. Given the small total extent of suitable habitat, it is thought to have a small population size, and remaining sites are susceptible to threats which include agricultural encroachment, overgrazing and inappropriate management. Nonetheless, a relatively large part of its range is now contained within a broadly effective protected area network (although this might be ineffective at buffering some threats including climate change). It is accordingly considered Vulnerable.
Population justification
Not formally estimated, but given the restricted extent of suitable habitat, very probably numbers in the single thousands. The largest subpopulation is believed to be hosted by D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, which is thought to host a few hundred individuals (Rahman et al. 2022). An area further north, 'East Siang' in Choudhury (2021) also has recent records, although the population here is unlikely large. Choudhury (2021) noted that the Lower Dibang Valley also hosts a population that is 'globally important' and the area of suitable habitat is not considerably less than that of D'Ering and this may also host several hundred birds. The area of suitable habitat in Kaziranga National Park is potentially large, although birds are infrequently seen (eBird 2023), and it is improbable that the population here is any larger than D'Ering. At Manas, the area of habitat is also large and birds are frequently observed in numbers comparable to strongholds in Arunachal Pradesh (eBird 2023). The very isolated, and recently discovered, population around Loktak Lake (mostly in Keibul Lamjao National Park) is probably small (<250 individuals), based simply on the very small area of suitable habitat. Combining reports from all parts of its range, the global population size of this species is probably between 1,500-4,000 mature individuals, with no population larger than 500-1,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Inferred to be declining, albeit probably slowly, in response to ongoing habitat pressures, principally in parts of its range that are not formally protected, or for which the protection is only ostensible (Choudhury 2021, Krishnan 2023). Populations are greatly fragmented, and while it is evident the species is able to persist short-term in isolated pockets of habitat, the viability of these in the long-term is unknown.
Now very probably endemic to India, where there are recent records from only five scattered localities in the country's north-east (from west to east): Manas National Park and environs; Kaziranga National Park and environs (where apparently rather scarce) (Assam); Loktak Lake and surrounding marshes (Manipur); and the species stronghold, the marshes north of Tinsukia (mostly contained within Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Assam), north into Arunachal Pradesh, mostly in D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, an area north of it 'East Siang' in Choudhury (2021), and grasslands west of Roing in the Lower Dibang Valley (Choudhury 2021, Rahmani et al. 2022, Krishnan 2023, eBird 2023, SoIB 2023). It may also persist in the chapories of the Lohit River, with unchecked suitable habitat covering a relatively large area that Choudhury (2021) concluded probably still hosted the species.
It was formerly much more widespread northern India, with possibly extinct localities mapped around previous records per BirdLife International (2001) extending west into West Bengal (where no records since 1984: Krishnan 2023) as far as Gorumara National Park, and south into Bangladesh in at least two places. Sometimes quoted as occurring in Nepal (including, e.g., in Rahmani et al. 2022), but this is unconfirmed (Krishnan 2023) and not accepted here in the absence of more robust evidence.
It inhabits dense reed thickets and mixed tall grassland (Phragmites karka and Arundo donax grassland), predominantly on wet substrates, along lowland river floodplains and adjacent hills, where it also occurs in grassy forest clearings. It was formerly found up to at least 900 m however it is now restricted to the plains (Robson and de Juana 2016, Krishnan 2023). Generally found in small flocks, except during the breeding season (April-July). It is presumably resident, although there is some indication that it makes local seasonal movements in response to the rainy season.
The main threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation. Large parts of its (small) range are now protected, but areas that are not protected (chiefly in Arunachal Pradesh) continue to be subject to encroachment of agriculture (particularly for rice paddies, mustard and tea plantations), illegal grazing, grass harvesting for thatch production, and inappropriate grassland management within protected areas (Choudhury 2011, Rahmani 2016, Choudhury 2021, Rahmani et al. 2022, Kushnan 2023). Extreme flooding events in the Brahmaputra valley, associated with rapid run-off from an increasingly denuded catchment, could damage grasslands, although some flooding may be beneficial to grassland quality. Similarly dam construction in the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh could negatively impact the species owing to changes in flow conditions (R. Das in litt. 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
Occurs in five protected areas: Kaziranga, Mana, Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks, D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary and Keibul Lamjao National Park (Choudhury 2007, 2021, eBird 2023). A sixth area proposed in the Lower Dibang Valley more than 20 years ago (Choudhury 1996) was reportedly approved by the State Board for Wildlife in 2018, but remains undeclared formally (Choudhury 2021).
19 cm. Large, thick-billed parrotbill with black patches on head-sides and throat. Extensive black area on upper breast and uniform rufous-buff remainder of underparts. Similar spp. Spot-breasted Parrotbill P. guttaticollis has arrow-shaped spotting on breast and pale buff underparts. Voice Gruff howh, jeehw and jahw notes, sometimes rhythmic series aw jahw jahw jahw and uhwi uhwi uhwi uhwi. Also higher-pitched series wi chi'chi'chi'chi'chi, wi yi'yi'yi'yi'yi; wi'uwi-uwi-uwi wi chu-chu-chu.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Choudhury, A.U., Rahmani, A. & Das, K.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-breasted-parrotbill-paradoxornis-flavirostris on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.