Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is considered Near Threatened as it is likely to have been affected by sustained high rates of deforestation throughout the Sunda region, which have accelerated and are leading to moderately rapid population declines.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'uncommon to locally common' in Peninsular Malaysia, 'rare' in Thailand, extinct in Singapore, 'scarce' in Sumatra and 'widely distributed to locally common' in Borneo (del Hoyo et al. 2003).
Trend justification
Population declines are likely to have occurred in many parts of the species' range as a result of the wholesale clearance of lowland forests. In the past three generations, tree cover loss has equated to 18%; since 2016, this has accelerated to a rate equivalent to c.26% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Due to its occurrence in secondary and logged forests, rates of decline are potentially not as steep as rates of tree cover loss. The population is therefore suspected of declining at a rate of 20-29% over three generations.
Erythropitta granatina is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, where it is known from south Tenasserim, Myanmar (no records this century and therefore possibly extinct here), peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (formerly), Kalimantan and north Sumatra, Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001). It is locally common in suitable habitat.
Behaviour This species breeds between March and August, laying a clutch of two eggs. Habitat It is mainly found in dense lowland evergreen forest up to 600 m. It is also recorded from secondary and heavily logged forest, particularly in swampy areas, provided that dense understory growth and some canopy cover remains. As Black-crowned Pitta (E. ussheri) is thought to fair in logged forests, it is possible that the Garnet Pitta also prefers logged forests (D. Edwards in litt. 2020). Nesting has however only been recorded in mature forests across Peninsular Malaysia (Erritzoe and Kirwan 2020). Diet Its diet is comprised mainly of insects, including ants, beetles, wood grubs and cockroaches. It also feeds on small snails and seeds from fruit (del Hoyo et al. 2003).
Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998). The magnitude of these threats is however likely to be allayed by this species' tolerance of secondary and logged forest.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although it occurs in a number of protected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys across the species' range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of lowland forest throughout the species' range.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Fernando, E.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Calvert, R., Edwards, D., Gilroy, J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Garnet Pitta Erythropitta granatina. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/garnet-pitta-erythropitta-granatina on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.