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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a moderately 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 trend is thought to be stable, thus does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is not known but is not thought to be very small, and hence 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). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
Population size has never been estimated. Appears rather common where found (Shing et al. 2006, eBird 2024) albeit evidence suggests it is tied to a relatively small elevation band, and perhaps a microhabitat within it (BirdLife International 2001). Records span 700-2,000m, within which there is c.25,000 km² of closed-canopy montane forest in its mapped distribution; at 1,300-1,600 m (which appears to be this species' preferred elevation), there is c.5,600 km² of closed-canopy forest (data from Jung et al. 2020, analysed by sRedList [2023]). Consequently while the population size of this species is not estimated, the area of suitable habitat available to it suggests that even if a small percentage is occupied, the global population size of this species is unlikely to be very small.

Trend justification
The main perceived threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation (BirdLife International 2001); however, almost all remaining  forest within its range is totally inaccessible to exploitation, and remote sensing data indicate less than 1% forest cover has been lost within its range over the past 10 years (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). In the absence of other threats the population is suspected to be stable.

Schoeniparus variegaticeps is endemic to China, where it is known from south-central Sichuan and the mountains of northern Guangxi, although it may occur in some of the intervening areas (BirdLife International 2001).

It inhabits subtropical and montane broadleaved forest, usually with extensive shrub and bamboo undergrowth, often in small stream valleys, at c.700-2,000 m. It feeds on insects and spiders, and forages on mossy branches.

Historically, habitat loss and degradation will likely have had an impact on this species, particularly in Sichuan and, if it ever occurred there, Guizhou. More recently, remote sensing data indicate that forest loss is negligible, and the species is probably now stable in trend. Climate change represents a hypothetical threat to this elevation-restricted species, and merits further research.

Conservation Actions Underway
It has been recorded from several protected areas including Mabian Dafengding Nature Reserve, Labahe Nature Reserve, Emei Shan Protected Scenic Site (Sichuan), Laojunshan Nature Reserve, Mamize Nature Reserve and Dayao Shan Nature Reserve (Guangxi). Emei Shan is protected as a sacred mountain. Much of its other suitable habitat is unprotected, however is likely resistant from acute exploitation given its remoteness.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to protect areas of suitable habitat within its range. Survey areas in Guizhou and elsewhere in the remote mountains of Sichuan and northern Guangxi, to better understand the limits of its distribution.

11.5 cm. Small fulvetta with whitish head-sides and throat, bisected by broad black cheek/malar patch. Golden-yellow forehead. Yellow-fringed flight feathers with black panel in centre. Black tail with yellow-orange fringes to base of outer rectrices. Grey upperparts and flanks. Similar spp. Rufous-winged Fulvetta A. castaneceps has black eye-stripe and chestnut cap and forehead, speckled white.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Dowell, S., Fellowes, J., Gilroy, J., Taylor, J. & Benstead, P.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Golden-fronted Fulvetta Schoeniparus variegaticeps. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/golden-fronted-fulvetta-schoeniparus-variegaticeps 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.