CR
Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i) A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i); D A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i); D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2018 Critically Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i)
2016 Critically Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i)
2015 Critically Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd; C2a(i)
2013 Critically Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd;C2a(i)
2012 Critically Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd;C2a(i)
2010 Critically Endangered A2c,d; A3c,d; A4c,d; C2a(i)
2009 Critically Endangered A2c,d; A3c,d; A4c,d; C2a(i)
2008 Critically Endangered
2004 Critically Endangered
2000 Critically Endangered
1996 Critically Endangered
1994 Critically Endangered
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 120,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? yes -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 194 mature individuals medium estimated 2014
Population trend decreasing poor inferred 1993-2017
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-99% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-100% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-100% - - -
Generation length 8 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 3-10 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: An assessment of the global population was made in 2014 based on newly collected data and expert opinion (including estimates of 48 and 35 mature individuals at the highest density sites) (Loveridge and Ty 2015). The population was estimated at a minimum of 194 mature individuals which is equivalent to approximately 290 individuals.

Trend justification: An extremely rapid population decline is thought to have occurred over the last three generations and an ongoing rapid decline is suspected, with future rapid declines projected to occur over the next three generations. Encroachment and land conversion continues at a rapid pace in large parts of the species's range, with additional roads leading to increasing disturbance and increased risk from hunting and loss of access to key resources (Loveridge and Ty 2015). Giant Ibises are known to be highly sensitive to human disturbance, hence increasing deforestation and habitat fragmentation have a disproportionate effect on the remaining ibis populations (Ty 2013). 


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Cambodia extant native yes
Laos extant native yes
Thailand extinct native yes
Vietnam extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Cambodia Chhep
Cambodia Lomphat
Cambodia Mondulkiri - Kratie Lowlands
Cambodia Sekong River
Cambodia Upper Srepok Catchment
Cambodia Upper Stung Sen Catchment
Cambodia Western Siem Pang
Laos Xe Kong Plains
Vietnam Yok Don

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Arable Land suitable non-breeding
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded major resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) major resident
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Gathering terrestrial plants - Unintentional effects (species is not the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Human intrusions & disturbance Work & other activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Species disturbance
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Problematic native species/diseases - Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Dams (size unknown) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/giant-ibis-thaumatibis-gigantea 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.