Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This scarce species is considered Near Threatened as it is likely to be declining moderately rapidly as a result of forest destruction and degradation across much of its range. The magnitude of this threat may be allayed by the persistence of populations in secondary and hill forests, which are under less threat of development.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally uncommon or rare (del Hoyo et al. 2005), although it is unobtrusive and may be overlooked.
Trend justification
This species is among the most susceptible of the Sundaic bulbuls to deforestation, being confined to lowland closed-canopy forest. It is therefore suspected to be declining moderately rapidly in response to ongoing forest loss in its range. Remote sensing data indicate that in the ten years to 2021, forest cover in this species' range was reduced by c.23% (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). This is thought to be broadly representative of population declines, which may in fact be steeper than remote sensing data alone suggest, due to unquantified impacts of habitat fragmentation. The population decline is therefore suspected to have been equivalent to 20-29% in the past 10 years and the same rate of reduction is suspected to occur in the future, with little sign of Sundaic lowland forest loss abating.
Iole finschii occurs in the Sundaic lowlands, in extreme south peninsular Thailand; Sabah, Sarawak and peninsular Malaysia; Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Brunei. It is a little known and seldom recorded species, and is probably scarce and local throughout much of its range.
Most records of this species come from primary evergreen forests in the lowlands, up to 750 m in Peninsular Malaysia, 650 m in Sumatra and 900 m on Borneo. It occurs in selectively logged forest and tall secondary growth, but apparently avoids heavily logged areas or younger regrowth. There are records from overgrown plantations and forest edge, although these habitats are perhaps only used when adjacent primary habitats are present.
Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid (Global Forest Watch 2022) and this is the main threat to this forest-dependent species. Forest fires have locally also had a damaging effect.
Conservation Actions Underway
None is known, although it occurs in a number of protected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys within the range to assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Protect areas of suitable habitat to safeguard populations against future levels of logging and encroachment.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J. & Khwaja, N.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Finsch's Bulbul Iole finschii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/finschs-bulbul-iole-finschii 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.