Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species does not have a particularly large range, it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been estimated but is unlikely to be very small hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, although it is described as fairly common to common within its limited range (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Eaton et al. 2021). Citizen science data (eBird 2023) appear to affirm these descriptions, with Rhipidura fuscorufa being one of the most frequently detected species on the Tanimbars. Although no species-specific density is available, it has a range that encompasses c.3,500 km2 of forest (per Global Forest Watch 2023) such that its population is not believed to be small.
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be declining slowly in response to habitat loss and degradation, but this is occurring on only a small localised scale, and the species appears tolerant of degradation, occurring even in plantations and scrub around villages (Eaton et al. 2021). In the ten years to 2021, only 3% of forest cover was lost from the range of this species (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein]). While this may have caused a slight reduction in population size, it may have had minimal impact; consequently the rate of decline is not estimated here.
Rhipidura fuscorufa is restricted to the Banda Sea Islands Endemic Bird Area, Indonesia (Babar and the Tanimbar Islands) (BirdLife International 2001). It is common within its very small range.
This species inhabits forest and mangroves at low elevations.
The main threat to this species is forest loss and degradation, however this is thought to be causing only minor population declines given the species' adaptability to modified habitats (Eaton et al. 2021). Currently, remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2023) indicate that losses are localised and caused by agricultural encroachment and small-holder farming.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although some of its habitat is protected, notably on Tanimbar (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Research the taxonomic validity of birds from Babar using morphological, bioacoustic and genomic methods. Expand protect areas with community agreement to ensure the protection of Tanimbar and Babar's lowland forests. Continue to monitor forest cover loss using remote sensing data.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cinnamon-tailed Fantail Rhipidura fuscorufa. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cinnamon-tailed-fantail-rhipidura-fuscorufa on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.