CR
Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
Athreya, R. 2006. A new species of Liocichla (Aves: Timaliidae) from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunchal Pradesh, India. Indian Birds 2(4): 82-94.
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
D D D1+2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Critically Endangered D
2016 Critically Endangered C2a(i)
2014 Critically Endangered C2a(i)
2012 Vulnerable D2
2008 Vulnerable D2
2007 Vulnerable
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 140 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 25-250 mature individuals poor estimated 2024
Population trend unknown poor - -
Generation length 3.24 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: The population size of Liocichla burunorum is undoubtedly small, though it has not been comprehensively surveyed. The species occurs in one area covering c. 140 km2 of suitable habitat (calculated by sRedList [2023] using data from ESA [2022]) in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India (Athreya 2006). The surveys by Athreya (2006), which led to the description of the species, identified 14 separate individuals, four seen near Bompu camp in 2006 and 10 seen in 2005 at Lama Camp. Although the population is likely higher than 14 individuals, the population is obviously small, especially considering the distinctive plumage and vocalisations mean the species is unlikely to be overlooked now that it has been described (Athreya 2006). All previous sightings are of small flocks of two to six individuals, and the species was missed completely in two separate survey attempts by Athreya (2006) in 2005. It was also not recorded in several surveys within the region from 1997 to 2002, five of which were within Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (Choudhury 2003) and within the elevational range of the species (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012). There has been a large increase in eBird records since the species was described. However, these sightings are almost exclusively along the accessible track between Lama Camp and Bompu Camp, and all of a small number of individuals (eBird 2024). Therefore, although the number of published sightings has increased, many of these are likely of the same small number of individuals (although it is notable that they are concentrated along a short section, with very few records from elsewhere along the well-surveyed road).

Habitat modelling suggests the species may occur over a wider range (Peterson and Papeş 2006), and there is hope the species' range also includes central and eastern Arunachal Pradesh and into Bhutan (Athreya 2006). Nonetheless, this is not yet confirmed and a precautionary approach must be taken that the species may not occur elsewhere and might be genuinely confined to the small area from which all observations come. Accordingly, the population size is estimated here at 25-250 mature individuals.

Trend justification: L. bugunorum occurs in heavily disturbed hillsides and ravines, provided there is dense shrubbery (Collar et al. 2020). The apparent localised and rare nature of the species is therefore surprising given it appears to have a high tolerance for degradation. Regardless, the population may still be impacted by localised threats. Habitat at Lama Camp was fragmented by the construction of a new road in 2012-2013 (Collar et al. 2020), and the Lama Camp region overall is heavily logged (Athreya 2006). The construction of a major highway that intersects Lama Camp was reportedly planned (Athreya 2006), but so far has not been constructed. Increased human disturbance and the construction of new roads would presumably represent a threat to the species, but Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary has remained relatively untouched overall (Athreya 2006). Although the species appears to prefer disturbed habitat, there are presumably unknown mechanisms restricting the population to such a small area. However, the trend in the population is unknown until further surveys can quantify changes in the population, or the threats to the species are better understood.


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

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
India Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude major resident
Altitude 2060 - 2340 m Occasional altitudinal limits 2000 - 2700 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bugun-liocichla-liocichla-bugunorum on 10/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 10/01/2025.