Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected of having a relatively small population size comprised of many isolated subpopulations. The population trend is difficult to determine, but is precautionarily assumed to be declining because of ongoing habitat loss and degradation (especially on Sumatra). Its use of montane forest, however, buffers it from the most rapid losses of Sundaic forest. Accordingly it is listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified. However, week-long ornithological surveys across 27 sites on nine mountains in West-Central Java between 2018 and 2020 found the species at 4 sites and 3 mountains with a mean encounter rate of 0.33 groups/hour (range = 0.15 to 0.49 where present; C. Devenish, A. R. Junaid and S. Marsden in litt. 2020). On Sumatra, there are very few records (van Marle and Voous 1988, eBird 2023). Precautionarily, it is assumed this is a reflection of genuine scarcity, especially as other montane nocturnal species are encountered more regularly, albeit they are species with a higher detectability. The area of forest within its mapped range is c.8,000 km2, (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) however available data on survey effort strongly suggest the species occurs at a low density, even accounting for its low detectability. Consequently, it is considered possible that the species numbers fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no more than 1,000 at each site. However, on Sumatra in particular, this requires verification, with large tracts of uninterrupted montane forest potentially suitable for the species.
Trend justification
There are no data on population trends; however, the species is thought to be in decline owing to habitat degradation which is ongoing on both Java (Higginbottom et al. 2019) and Sumatra (principally the latter), albeit at a slow rate according to remote sensing data (which, however, are relatively insensitive to degradation) (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein).
Scolopax saturata is endemic to Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. Its range and status are poorly known. In recent years, most observations have been from Java (eBird 2023).
It occurs in damp, primary montane forest between 1,500 and 3,000 m and appears not to tolerate habitat disturbance (Hayman et al. 1986).
The main threat to this species is the attritional loss and degradation of forest habitat in its range due to logging and agricultural expansion (per Global Forest Watch 2023), which is suspected to be causing slow declines in this species. However, its preference for montane forest buffers it from the worst of Sundaic forest loss. As a montane species, it may be impacted by climate change, although there is no information (quantitative or anecdotal) available to suggest if this is currently an acting threat.
Conservation Actions Underway
On both Sumatra and Java, a large part of this species' range now lies within protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023), including Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park and Gunung Gede National Park (Java) and Kerinci-Seblat National Park (Sumatra).
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Bishop, K.D., Crosby, M., Devenish, C., Fernando, E., Junaid, A.R., Mahood, S., Marsden, S. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Javan Woodcock Scolopax saturata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/javan-woodcock-scolopax-saturata on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.