CR
Manipur Bush-quail Perdicula manipurensis



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
D D D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Critically Endangered D
2016 Endangered C2a(i)
2013 Endangered C2a(i)
2012 Vulnerable A2c+3c+4c;B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v);C2a(i)
2008 Vulnerable A2c; A3c; A4c; B1a+b(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i)
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 144,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 1-200 mature individuals poor estimated 2023
Population trend unknown poor - -
Generation length 3.56 years - - -

Population justification: Very poorly known, but any remaining population must now be very small. It was described historically as local, but not very rare, although even by the 1930s it was documented as declining in Manipur and there has not been a confirmed record since 1932 (BirdLife International 2001). An unconfirmed observation was made from Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in March 1998, followed by another sighting in Manas National Park, Assam, in 2006 (Choudhury 2006).

In Manipur and Nagaland there have been few recent surveys, but very little suitable habitat remains and hunting is an ongoing tradition in these states with no evidence of this species being captured (as might reasonably be expected given it was evidently hunted quite commonly historically [BirdLife International 2001]). In Assam, where the species is considered most likely to persist (A. Rahmani and Praveen J in litt. 2024), surveys of numerous sites for other grassland species (e.g. Rahmani 2016) have failed to find it, and it is unclear whether management of the many tiger reserves in this region provides adequate habitat for this species (owing to uncertainty on its requirements). Notably, Synoicus chinensis is still dedicated frequently in north-east India, despite also having detectability that is at least ostensibly similar. This pattern of effort suggests that any remaining population of this species is probably now very small, placed here in a band of 1-200 mature individuals. Comprehensive surveys dedicated to this species are urgently needed.

Trend justification: In the absence of confirmed sightings since 1932, there are no data from which to estimate or infer trends. It has evidently declined since it was first discovered in response to the widespread clearance and degradation of grasslands (BirdLife International 2001) but given uncertainty over where persisting populations may be and the threats facing them directly, the current population trend is wholly unknown.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Bangladesh possibly extinct uncertain
India extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
India Buxa Tiger Reserve (National Park)
India Dibru - Saikhowa Complex
India Manas Reserve Forest

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Grassland Temperate major resident
Shrubland Temperate suitable resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable resident
Altitude 0 - 1000 m 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
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Trend Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Manipur Bush-quail Perdicula manipurensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/manipur-bush-quail-perdicula-manipurensis on 06/12/2024.
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 06/12/2024.