Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is likely to be declining moderately rapidly throughout its small range as a result of habitat loss. This may be buffered by the species's apparent tolerance of secondary and hill forest, although further studies are required in order to fully clarify its habitat requirements. It is currently considered Near Threatened.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon in Sabah (del Hoyo et al. 2007).
Trend justification
Data on trends are lacking, but declines are suspected to be occurring as a result of the continuing loss and degradation of lowland forests throughout the range.
Napothera atrigularis is restricted to Borneo, occurring in the Sundaic lowlands of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia; Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Brunei. It is generally scarce and occurs at low densities even in suitable habitat.
This species is found on the ground and in the lower storey of broadleaved evergreen forest from lowlands up to 1,500 m, with most records below 500 m. It is also recorded from mature secondary forest and logged forest (rarely) and extends into submontane forests in some areas.
Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998). The magnitude of these threats may be allayed by this species's tolerance of secondary, hill and submontane forests, which are under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion.
Conservation Actions Underway
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within the range to determine current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Protect significant areas of forest at key sites.
Text account compilers
Mahood, S., Benstead, P., Khwaja, N., Gilroy, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-throated Wren-babbler Turdinus atrigularis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-throated-wren-babbler-turdinus-atrigularis 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.