Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush is endemic to a small area of the Annamites on the Viet Nam/Lao PDR border. Although it was discovered as recently as the 1990s, it has since been discovered at several sites in both countries. Although it is suspected to be declining in response to forest loss and probably trapping, rates of decline are suspected to be relatively low, and it remains locally common at many of the sites it occupies. Nonetheless, its range is small and existing threats have the potential to have impact quickly if their spatial extent spreads. Accordingly the species is considered Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been formally estimated, but at most sites occupied it has been found to be relatively common (Mahood et al. 2012, Gray et al. 2013, Berryman 2023). Given the disjunct nature of its range, its population is assumed to comprise multiple subpopulations, although the connectivity between these is unknown.
Trend justification
In some parts of its range, the population trend of this species is probably stable. At Xe Sap NPA, for example, Gray et al. (2013) found it to be relatively common and the lack of evidence of forest cover loss or degradation (Grantham et al. 2020, Global Forest Watch 2023) and the remote nature of these forests, suggests that any population here has not declined in the past c.20 years. Elsewhere, however, there are anecdotal reports (R. Craik in litt. 2024) it has been declining locally on the Mang Canh Plateau since its discovery by Mahood et al. (2012) and at Dong Ampham, Lao PDR, Berryman (2023) reported significant habitat alterations and, in places, total destruction caused by gold mines within the elevational range of this species. However, it has also been described as tolerant of some degradation, such that forest modification (as is common in both Viet Nam and Lao PDR) may not be an acute threat driving declines.
A majority of projected suitable habitat for this species lies within protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023) or comprises forest that is, at least for now, rugged and remote enough to resist human exploitation. Over the past three generations (11.61 years: 2011-2023), forest cover in this species' range has reduced by c.5-7% (depending on the assumptions used) (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Translating this into rates of population decline is obfuscated by imperfect knowledge on (1) its occupancy/density within its range; (2) the extent to which trapping is a threat; and (3) the impact of habitat degradation. None of these considerations, however, are thought likely to mean the rate of decline is being substantially underestimated, but to account for the inherit uncertainties underlying the calculations used, the rate of population decline over the past three generations is set to 2-15%, with a best guess of 5-10%. Future rates of population decline are even more difficult to predict, but are suspected to be the same as those in the past in the absence of any indication that threats will lessen or intensify.
Known from relatively few sites in Viet Nam and Lao PDR. Ianthocincla konkakinhensis was first observed at Phou Ahyon, Lao PDR, where however, it was not definitively identified (Timmins and Vongkhamheng 1996). It was then discovered at Mt Kon Ka Kinh in Gia Lai province, Viet Nam (Eames and Eames 2001), and was subsequently found at three sites in neighbouring Kon Tum province: Dak Roong, Mt Ngoc Boc and a small unnamed area nearby; it was then found common on the Mang Canh plateau (Mahood et al. 2012). It was recently discovered 200 km further north in Viet Nam, at A Xan commune (Thai Hong Ky et al. 2023), immediately adjacent to Xe Sap NPA, Lao PDR, where it was found ten years earlier (Gray et al. 2013). It was also recently discovered at Dong Ampham, Lao PDR (Berryman 2023). This pattern of records suggests that it is probably widespread throughout this region of the central highlands, where forest remains in its elevational range.
Inhabits the undergrowth of primary and secondary evergreen forest, with records from 1,150 to 1,750 m (J. C. Eames unpublished data, Eames and Eames 2001, Gray et al. 2013, Nguyen Ai Tam et al. 2021, Berryman 2023).
The main identified threats to this species are habitat loss/degradation and trapping. Forest cover has been lost in this species' range over the past three generations by c.5-7% (depending on the assumptions used) (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) although this has likely only resulted in slow population declines given this species' tolerance of modified forests. Trapping is a wholly unquantified threat, but declines in areas that have not reduced in habitat quality or extent are suspected to be attributable to trapping for the songbird trade (laughingthrushes are particularly sought after in Viet Nam; see Leupen et al. 2022). Locally, mining is probably a threat (see Berryman 2023).
Conservation Actions Underway
Some of this species' range occurs in protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2024), including Xe Sap and Dong Ampham in Lao PDR (Gray et al. 2013, Berryman 2023); however, the protection that these confer is unclear (Berryman 2023).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys in central Viet Nam and Lao PDR to determine its distribution and attempt to estimate its population size. Monitor population trends where possible. Ensure that as much of its small range as possible is protected from logging, and ensure there are adequate safeguards against trapping. Ensure that existing protected areas are safeguarded; see Berryman (2023) for example of forest loss and mining take place within the altitudinal range of this species in a protected area.
22 cm. Shy laughingthrush with black-streaked grey forehead, chestnut ear-coverts, boldly and irregularly barred upperparts and white-tipped tail with a broad black sub-terminal band. Similar spp. None within its known range. Voice Song a sweet Turdus-like rambling series of fairly well-spaced and stressed notes, with some mimicry, lasting c. 4-6 seconds.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Craik, R., Mahood, S., Gray, T., Benstead, P., Taylor, J., Martin, R., Allinson, T & Gilroy, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush Ianthocincla konkakinhensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/chestnut-eared-laughingthrush-ianthocincla-konkakinhensis on 21/12/2024.
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 21/12/2024.