Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it has a very small range, and its population may be both moderately small and continually declining owing to habitat loss and localised trapping, although it does tolerate degraded forest. Information is urgently required on the status and trends of habitat on Enganno, the intensity of trapping pressures, and this species's population size and trends. Such new information may show that it warrants listing in a threatened category.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 10,000-19,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 15,000-29,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 15,000-30,000 individuals.
Trend justification
Although available data are minimal, the species is thought to be undergoing a decline owing to forest loss through agricultural encroachment and capturing for the bird trade.
Geokichla leucolema is endemic to the small island of Enggano, 100 km off the south-west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, where it has been described as "common" (Collar 2004).
The species is forest-dependent, although it is not restricted to primary forest and is seen regularly in degraded forest areas (Verbelen 2009). There is little information on its breeding or ecology.
Habitat destruction on Enggano has, thus far, been minimal, but recent tentative proposals for agricultural development suggest the possibility for future radical change, and this may exert pressure on the small population of this species. Geokichla species are heavily traded elsewhere in Indonesia, because of their abilities as songsters, so it is possible that this threat is also impacting this species (Collar 2004; N. Brickle in litt. 2005). However, Verbelen (2009) considered this species less likely to be targeted than congeners, due to its "less than melodious song", and found no evidence or anecdote to suggest it is trapped. Recent forest and hunting analyses however suggest that local hunting may be increasing, alongside continued forest loss within the species' range (Symes et al. 2018).
Conservation Actions Underway
No conservation measures are currently known.
15-18.5 cm. A small thrush. Chestnut-brown crown to nape, russet-brown mantle, back and scapulars to uppertail-coverts, two broad white wing-bars. White chin to upper breast, blackish face, sides of throat, and rest of breast. Rest of underparts pale, washed brownish on flanks. Similar spp. None in limited range. Voice Song more like a begging call than true song, in contrast with that of G. interpres, which is slower and less varied.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E.
Contributors
Bird, J., Brickle, N., Khwaja, N., Pilgrim, J. & Verbelen, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Enggano Thrush Geokichla leucolaema. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/enggano-thrush-geokichla-leucolaema 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.