Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is endemic to the Annamite range in Viet Nam and Lao PDR, where its population size is likely to be relatively large. In recent years, forest clearance for timber extraction and agricultural expansion, as well as a slew of damaging infrastructure projects (especially mines and hydroelectric power) has accelerated habitat loss such that this species is now suspected to be declining moderately rapidly. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been determined, but a total of 58,500 km2 of forest remains in its range (per Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). It is described as 'locally fairly common' in Viet Nam (Craik and Le 2018) and eBird (2023) data suggest that, at least locally, it remains commonly encountered, particularly in protected areas. In Lao PDR, it was discovered only comparatively recently (see Thewlis et al. 1998) and there remain very few records from the country. It is unclear to what extent this reflects lower abundance, or simply a reduced survey effort, but this species is tightly associated with wet evergreen forest (Duckworth et al. 2010) which is less extensive in the rain shadows of the western Annamites (i.e. most of Lao PDR). Recent surveys in areas of suitable habitat in Lao PDR have nonetheless found it (Gray et al. 2013, Berryman 2023) and it is likely that Lao PDR hosts a significant minority of the global population. Overall, although there are no robust data from which to estimate a population size, there is no reason to suspect it is especially small.
Trend justification
This species is strictly forest-dependent and the principal threat to it is considered forest loss. Remote sensing data indicate that over the past ten years, forest cover loss in its range has been reduced by c.15% (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) and this is thought to have had a broadly equivalent impact on its population size, with the potential for additive declines caused by habitat degradation and selective logging, which is rife in the Annamites. In the most recent five years (between 2016 and 2021), this rate of loss has accelerated to an equivalent of c.19% over ten years, and therefore it is possible that rates of population decline will exceed 20% between 2016 and 2026, and in the ten years from 2022, if these accelerated rates persist. In the Annamites, even remote and montane forest in protected areas has proven itself at risk, with logging, mining and hydroelectric power projects causing immense local damage (e.g. Berryman 2023). There is therefore no reason to believe these increasing rates of forest loss will not continue.
This species is endemic to the Annamites (Including the Dalat Plateau), which divide Viet Nam and Lao PDR. It is probably more abundant in the former, where wet evergreen forest is considerably more extensive.
In south Annam, subspecies danjoui is found in montane evergreen forest between 1,500 and 2,100 m, but the northern subspecies parvirostris is mainly found in lowland forest between 50 and 900 m, ascending locally to 1,650 m. This species frequents the lower storey, often foraging on the ground. It is noted to tolerate some habitat modification as it is able to survive in secondary forest (del Hoyo et al. 2007).
The main threat to this species is the destruction of habitat. Forests are cleared for commercial timber, as well as infrastructure projects, especially (in Lao PDR) hydroelectric projects and mines (principally for gold: Berryman 2023). In the most recent five years (between 2016 and 2021), the rate of forest loss has accelerated to an equivalent of c.19% over ten years, and therefore it is possible that rates of population decline will exceed 20% between 2016 and 2026, and in the ten years from 2022, if these accelerated rates persist.
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several protected areas throughout its range, including Xe Sap and Dong Ampham NPAs, and Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA in Laos (Thewlis et al. 1998, Gray et al. 2013, Berryman 2023), and Ke Go, Vu Quang and Pu Mat nature reserves in Viet Nam (eBird 2023).
19.5 cm. Robust, short-tailed babbler with narrow, slightly downcurved bill. Dark brown above with light shaft-streaks, whitish below with double dark brown moustachial/malar stripe. Rufescent breast with smudgy dark brown streaks and pale rufous neck-patch. Subspecies parvirostris has blacker moustachial/malar stripes and breast streaking, darker rufous on neck and breast and shorter bill. Newly discovered subspecies in central Viet Nam is colder and darker brown and rufous plumage is duller and paler. Voice Sings with series of clear, monotone whistles. Harsh chrrr-chrrr-chrrr when alarmed.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Duckworth, W., Eames, J.C., Gilroy, J., Mahood, S., Pilgrim, J., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Wheatley, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Indochinese Wren-babbler Napothera danjoui. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/indochinese-wren-babbler-napothera-danjoui 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.