Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Himalayapsitta finschii is a widespread species that occurs in several different habitat types, including highly modified areas. However, the species is targeted for trade everywhere is occurs, and trade of the species is reportedly causing declines in several regions, most transparently in Laos. Although there has been roughly 15% of forest loss over the last three-generations, the pervasive impacts of trade suggest declines in the range of 20-29% and the species is consequentially listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
There is little information on the population size of this species. It is the most common parrot in some areas of west Myanmar, is locally common in undisturbed areas of Thailand (Collar and Boesman 2020), and is likely the most widespread parakeet in Lao PDR (Timmins 2014) though now appears very scarce in the north (Duckworth et al. 1999, Fuchs et al. 2007, Timmins et al. in press). In Cambodia, the species is locally common in Mondolkiri, but rare elsewhere and potentially locally extinct from the south-west of the country with only a single historical record (Goes 2013). The species is reportedly uncommon across the rest of its range, and is considered rare in India and Bangladesh (Collar and Boesman 2020), but may be locally common in areas and subject to localised fluctuations in number and occurrence (Juniper and Parr 1998). There have been no surveys that provide or allow an estimation of the population size. Therefore, the current population size is unknown.
Trend justification
H. finschii has suffered from habitat loss across much of its range, with a c. 15% reduction in forest cover in its range over the past three generations (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein). However, these data in isolation may overestimate the impact of forest loss on this species, as it readily uses secondary regrowth, tea plantations, and cultivated land (Juniper and Parr 1998, Collar and Boesman 2020), and is also tolerant of more open habitats (Juniper and Parr 1998). However, the species is still reportedly impacted by habitat clearance, being generally more common in undisturbed forest (Collar and Boesman 2020). Within its range there has been a considerable increase in the Human Modification Index (calculated by sRedList [2023] using data from Theobald et al. [2020]) and habitat degradation is apparent (Grantham et al. 2020).
The likely most significant threat to this species is the pet trade, both domestic and international (Collar and Boesman 2020, TRAFFIC 2024). In Thailand, trade has likely been the main cause of declines (Juniper and Parr 1998). Sunday market surveys in Bangkok from 1966 and 1969 recorded over 2,000 individuals (McClure and Chaiyaphun 1971) but a survey of markets over a weekend in Bangkok in 2015 did not record the species (Chng and Eaton 2016). While the length of these surveys differ, the differences suggests the species has very likely declined in Thailand since the 1960s, and trade is likely (at least partially) to blame. Large numbers of the species have also been recorded in markets from Myanmar (Khaing 2019), where it is widely kept as a household pet, as in China (Zhang in litt. 2013, in Khaing 2019), and Lao PDR (Khaing 2019). Indeed, trapping is likely to be the chief reason for the species' decline in northern Lao PDR, along with nest robbery and hunting for food (Timmins et al. in press). The species has been absent from field surveys in northern Lao PDR post-1996, with all records in the northern highlands of captive birds only (Fuchs et al. 2007). The species has historically been recorded as locally common in another region of northern Lao PDR (David-Beaulieu 1944). However, the species does still persist in greatly reduced numbers in the lowlands and hills through southern and central Lao PDR (Timmins et al. in press). Trade is also suspected to be contributing to declines in Cambodia (Goes 2013). Although the causes are unknown, the species seems to have disappeared from south-west Cambodia, with several forest surveys since 1998 failing to find the species (Goes 2013).
Combining trapping pressure with the cumulative impacts of habitat loss and degradation, which is apparent across the species' entire range (Global Forest Watch 2024), declines in the population are likely in the range of 20-29% over three generations (18 years).
H. finschii is distributed from eastern India and Bangladesh, through Myanmar, northern and central Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR (largely absent from the north; Fuchs et al. 2007, Timmins et al. in press), Viet Nam and south-western China (Juniper and Parr 1998, Collar and Boesman 2020).
H. finschii occurs in open mixed deciduous forest, teak forest, secondary regrowth, tea plantations, and cultivated land from 600-1,200 m (Juniper and Parr 1998, Collar and Boesman 2020), and is also tolerant of more open habitats, including hill and mountain habitats (Juniper and Parr 1998, Timmins et al. in press). The species may be recorded down to 100 m in Assam, India, and up to 3,800 m in China (Collar and Boesman 2020). It is more strictly associated with forest in Indochina (Collar and Boesman 2020). Diet reported to include leaf buds and developing fruits, flowers, figs, and grains (Juniper and Parr 1998, Collar and Boesman 2020).
The clearest threat to H. finschii is the pet trade, with reports of the species in trade markets from Myanmar (Khaing 2019), China (Zhang in litt. 2013 in Khaing 2019), and Lao PDR (Khaing 2019). The clearest impacts of trade are in Lao PDR, where the species has all but disappeared from the north of the country (Fuchs et al. 2007, Timmins et al. in press). Although the species persists in northern and central Lao PDR, it is still a popular pet in these regions (Thewlis et al. 1998). The species also suffers from nest robbing and hunting for food in Lao PDR (Timmins et al. in press), but the extent of these threats, their prevalence elsewhere are unknown.
Although the impacts on the population are not fully understood, habitat loss and degradation are presumed to be impacting the species, considering the intensive nature of these threats within the species’ range (Grantham et al. 2020, Theobald et al. 2020). Likely, the species will suffer declines as the density of suitable nesting trees are reduced from practices such as selective logging (Snyder et al. 2000), similar to Psittacula alexandri (Berryman et al. 2024).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Surveys are required to ascertain the total population size, number of sub-populations, and to determine any important breeding areas/habitat. Monitor populations to determine trends, including in response to trade and habitat loss. Further research to determine the prevalence and impacts of hunting across the range.
36–40 cm. Very similar to P. himalayana but smaller with longer tail feathers, slightly paler head, yellower upperparts and darker blue-green underwing-coverts. Immature all green. Sounds: Commonest vocalization a strident upslurred pleasant-sounding whistle, “pweEEh!”. When perched, also short phrases with other chirruping notes mixed in. Begging call of juvenile a short high-pitched metallic note.
Text account compilers
Richardson, L.
Contributors
Choudhury, S., Duckworth, J.W., Gray, T., Mahood, S., Rainey, H., Round, P., Timmins, R.J., Zhang, M., Robson, C., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Martin, R., Wheatley, H. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Grey-headed Parakeet Himalayapsitta finschii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-headed-parakeet-himalayapsitta-finschii 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.