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

Justification of Red List category
In at least parts of this species' range, the rapid loss of mangroves is inferred to have caused similarly rapid population declines; in other areas however, its habitat is, for now, well protected. For these reasons, the global population is thought to have declined moderately rapidly over the past three generations. It is therefore considered Near Threatened.

Population justification
Approximately 6,300 km² of habitat remained in Myanmar in 2016 (De Alban et al. 2020), reduced here (in 2022) to c.5,400 km², assuming a continuing linear reduction in habitat extent at the rate estimated by De Alban et al. (2020) to have occurred between 2007 and 2016. In the Sundarbans, c.10,000 km² of suitable habitat likely remains, with approximately 3,500 km² in Thailand and Malaysia (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). A total of c.19,000 km² of habitat is therefore assumed to be suitable for this species. In the Sundarbans and the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar, Reza et al. (2003) and Zöckler (2016) respectively both estimated densities of 2.6 mature individuals/km². Assuming a high rate of habitat occupancy (50-70%) to reflect its qualitative descriptions as common (Smythies 1986, Chowdhury et al. 2020, Grimmett et al. 2021), the population is therefore estimated at 25,000-35,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The trend of this species varies across its range, but habitat loss is known to have caused local extirpations (Smythies 1986, eBird 2022).
In the Sundarbans (India and Bangladesh) there is limited anecdotal evidence that it may be declining although this has not been quantified (S. Chowdhury pers. comm. 2022). The total area of suitable habitat in the Sundarbans, Thailand and Malaysia has reduced only moderately over the past three generations, equivalent to approximately 5% (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). In Myanmar however, between 2007 and 2016 the extent of mangroves declined 3.87% per annum (De Alban et al. 2020), a rate equivalent to 55% over three generations. In 2007, Myanmar probably held c.45% of the global population of Brown-winged Kingfishers, thus mangrove loss in this country alone has likely caused a global population size reduction of c.25% over the past three generations. Accounting for uncertainties, especially trends in other countries in its range, the population reduction over the past three generations is therefore set at 20-29%. However, the Burmese population accounts for an increasingly small percentage of the global population and habitat protections elsewhere (especially in the Sundarbans) are comparatively robust. The rate of reduction in the future is therefore unknown, but is thought unlikely to exceed 20%.

Pelargopsis amauropterus has a coastal distribution in easternmost India (locally common in West Bengal and Odisha [J. Borah and C. Zöckler in litt. 2016], rare elsewhere), Bangladesh (locally common), Myanmar (fairly common to locally common resident in the south-west and Tenasserim), peninsular Thailand (uncommon to locally fairly common on the west coast [locally common at Krabi, R. Akkermans in litt. 2012]) and peninsular Malaysia (fairly common but restricted to islands of the north-west) (BirdLife International 2001).

It is usually restricted to coasts, favouring mangroves (particularly dense, old growth forests with large trees [BirdLife International 2001]), but also frequenting creeks and tidal rivers, although it has been recorded occasionally far inland.

The main threat to this species is the loss of its mangrove habitat, principally as a result of aquaculture and agriculture (De Alban et al. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys throughout the range to determine rates of population decline and range contraction. Campaign for the protection of remaining mature mangrove forest, including creating a Protected Area in the Southern Myeik Archipelago, Thaninthary Myanmar (C. Zöckler in litt. 2016).

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Akkermans, R., Borah, J., Choudhury, S., Gilroy, J., Westrip, J.R.S. & Zöckler, S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Brown-winged Kingfisher Pelargopsis amauroptera. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/brown-winged-kingfisher-pelargopsis-amauroptera 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.