• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence 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). The population size probably numbers at least in the tens of thousands, thus the species 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). The population trend is unknown, so it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size of this species was estimated to be 120,000 by Lu (2004). There has not been an updated figure in the intervening two decades, although it is not suspected to be substantially different. Recently, Li et al. (2023) estimated that there remained c.140,000km² of highly suitable habitat within its range, suggesting that the population size remains high. To account for uncertainty, the current population size is estimated at 80,000-140,000.

Trend justification
The population trend of this species is set to unknown. Historically, deforestation and habitat degradation were suspected of causing moderately rapid declines, however there is little evidence to uphold that this is ongoing and there has been testimony to suggest that the species is no longer declining (X. Lu in litt. 2016). While slow and localised declines are possible, remote sensing data indicate very little changes in the majority of this species' vast and remote range. In the future, modelling by Li et al. (2023) found that the area of suitable habitat might slightly increase, or slightly decrease, in response to climate change between now and 2050, depending on the underlying climate scenario used. In any instance, they did not identify a considerable change (<0.5%), such that this is not currently considered a future threat.

Known definitively from only Tibet, China. It has often been claimed from, and written as occurring in, Sikkim (India), however there are no records (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012, Praveen et al. 2016 and updates thereto).

This species inhabits dense deciduous scrub above the treeline, particularly around stands of willow (Salix spp.), sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and prickly oak (Quercus spp.), and the edges of coniferous and mixed forests. The species appears to depend on natural vegetation; using tall bushes and shrubs for both perching and nesting (Lu 2004). Records are from 2,700-4,600 m.

Historically this species undoubtedly declined in response to deforestation and habitat degradation. The species' preferred perching and nesting sites in tall bushes and shrubs in scrubland was targeted for removal as fuelwood thus scrub areas near villages may be of poor quality for the species (Lu 2004). The species has completely disappeared in scrub areas around some villages and regeneration of vegetation is very slow under the extreme alpine climate (Lu 2004). The extent to which this is ongoing is unknown. If it is, the impact is likely to be relatively small given this species' vast and largely inaccessible range. Modelling by Li et al. (2023) suggested that climate change was unlikely to be an acute threat for this species in the near- to mid-term.

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species which exists mostly in an inaccessible range.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to monitor habitat loss and degradation. Establish protected areas or OECMs within its range.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Lu, X.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Giant Babax Pterorhinus waddelli. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/giant-babax-pterorhinus-waddelli on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.