VU
Bornean Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - A3c+4c

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2022 Vulnerable A3c+4c
2016 Near Threatened A2c+3c+4c
2012 Near Threatened A2c+3c+4c
2008 Near Threatened A2c; A3c; A4c
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Near Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status nomadic Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type shelf island
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 926,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend decreasing medium suspected 2015-2027
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 20-29% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 26-35,30-35% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 26-35,30-35% - - -
Generation length 4.4 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Attempts to assess the population size of this species are confounded by its nomadic behaviour. Although it is described as uncommon (e.g. Smythies and Davison 1999, Eaton et al. 2016) it is widespread across Borneo's lowlands (Witt and Sheldon 1994, Mann 2008) and is not considered likely to approach population size thresholds (<10,000 mature individuals) for listing as threatened.

Trend justification: Pityriasis gymnocephala is tied to lowland forests, which are being lost rapidly on Borneo. Global Forest Watch (2021, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) indicate forest cover loss within the range of the species was at a rate of 1.95% per year (13.2 years; Bird et al. 2020) in the period 2007-2020, equivalent to c.25% over three generations. Between 2015-2020, the rate increased to 2.3-2.5% per annum, equivalent when projected forward to a rate of 30-33% over three generations. Although it can be found in mature secondary and selectively logged forests, it is most abundant in tall, primary forests, and almost never in plantations (Witt & Sheldon 1994, Mann 2008). Given most forest loss on Borneo has amounted to total clearance or conversion to plantations, it is suspected that this species will decline at a rate near-equal to that of forest loss. There is no reason to suspect that these rates of forest loss will slow or cease in the near-future.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Brunei extant native yes
Indonesia extant native yes
Malaysia extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Brunei Belait Swamp Forest
Indonesia Hutan Samarinda-Balikpapan
Malaysia Danum Valley Conservation Area
Malaysia Gunung Pueh
Malaysia Kabili-Sepilok
Malaysia Kelabit Highlands
Malaysia Kinabatangan floodplain
Malaysia Lambir Hills National Park
Malaysia Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary
Malaysia Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Malaysia Mulu - Buda Protected Area
Malaysia Niah National Park
Malaysia Sadong-Saribas coast
Malaysia Similajau National Park
Malaysia Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Malaysia Tanjung Datu-Samunsam Protected Area
Malaysia Tawau Hills Park

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Above High Tide Level suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Swamp major resident
Altitude 0 - 600 m Occasional altitudinal limits (max) 1200 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Trend Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bornean Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bornean-bristlehead-pityriasis-gymnocephala on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.