Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range throughout South-East Asia, and in large areas remains relatively common. However, it is thought to be declining at a rate equivalent to 10-19% over three generations because of habitat loss and modification, and trapping. This rate of decline does not meet or approach thresholds for listing as threatened, and accordingly the species is considered to be Least Concern. However, trends in its abundance should continue to be monitored.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally fairly common (del Hoyo et al. 2007) although locally trapping pressure may mean populations are depleted.
Trend justification
The population is inferred to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation and, perhaps more pressingly, because of trapping for the cagebird trade. Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that forest loss in this species' range is ongoing at a rate equivalent to 13-14% in three generations. However, this species is tolerant of modified habitats, occurring in, for example, thick wooded scrub. Accordingly, while habitat loss and degradation is assumed to be driving declines (especially where this amounts to total clearance of vegetated habitat), it is not necessarily the case that the percentage of forest loss equates directly to population losses. In parts of its range, especially in Viet Nam, trapping may be driving steeper declines than habitat modifications, with birds used domestically, and for export to Indonesia where the species is highly prized for its song and fetching up to $100 USD (e.g., Shepherd 2011, Shepherd et al. 2016, Leupen et al. 2022). Locally this may be driving very rapid population declines, with subspecies germaini, for example, now very difficult to find in the wild in Viet Nam (J. Eaton pers. comm. 2023). However, in other parts of its range, P. chinensis is subject to little to no trapping pressure. Globally, combining the impacts of habitat loss and degradation, and trapping, the species is suspected of having declined by 10-19% over the past three generations (11 years: 2012-2023) and the same rate is suspected in the future.
The species occurs in forest, second growth, scrub and grassland areas, to 1,525 m (Collar et al. 2020). Surveys have suggested that this species’ abundance can be severely affected by habitat use alteration, with sightings in secondary forest being c. 10 times greater than in rubber plantations on Hainan (Li et al. 2013).
Habitat loss and trapping for the cagebird trade are the two key threats to this species. The former is thought to be causing some declines, especially where habitat loss amounts to complete clearance for agriculture and, in parts of the range, conversion to rubber plantations. Locally, especially in Viet Nam, trapping for the cagebird trade has caused significant declines, with birds kept domestically and moved internationally (especially to Indonesia). Prized for their pleasant song, birds frequently sell for $100 USD (Shepherd 2011, Shepherd et al. 2016, Leupen et al. 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
Occurs in numerous protected areas throughout its range. In Viet Nam, where trapping pressure is most intense, P. chinensis is somewhat protected by Decree No.06/2019/ND-CP, where it is listed as a Class II species: one which can be traded only with permits due to exploitation risk; there is evidence, however, that this is ineffective (Leupen et al. 2022).
Conservation Actions Needed
Monitor population trends, especially in the fact of potentially intensifying trapping pressure in Indochina. Given this species is traded internationally (Shepherd 2011, Shepherd et al. 2016), it may merit listing in CITES Appendix II.
Text account compilers
Vine, J., Berryman, A.
Contributors
Eaton, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-throated Laughingthrush Pterorhinus chinensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-throated-laughingthrush-pterorhinus-chinensis on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.