Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This grassland species is now likely endemic to north-east India, where it occurs at very few, widely scattered sites. Given the small total extent of suitable habitat, it is thought to have a small population size, and remaining sites are susceptible to threats which include agricultural encroachment, overgrazing and inappropriate management. Nonetheless, a relatively large part of its range is now contained within a broadly effective protected area network (although this might be ineffective at buffering some threats including climate change). It is accordingly considered Vulnerable.
Population justification
Population size not estimated but described as scarce and local (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012). Historically was probably rather abundant in grasslands along the Brahmaputra floodplains, but habitat loss over the past 150 years has been considerable and population now heavily depleted. Recent records from only a handful of sites (Krishnan 2021, SoIB 2023, eBird 2024) and less than 500 km2 of suitable habitat is estimated to remain (data from Jung et al. [2020], via sRedList [2023]). While a population density is not known, citizen science data indicate that even within suitable habitat it is relatively scarce and localised (although this evaluation is undoubtedly hampered by this species' low detectability when not singing). Although there are no robust data from which to estimate a population size, it is here precautionarily suspected to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Inferred to be declining, albeit probably slowly, in response to ongoing habitat pressures, principally in parts of its range that are not formally protected, or for which the protection is ineffective (Choudhury 2021, Krishnan 2021). Populations are greatly fragmented, and while it is evident the species is able to persist short-term in isolated pockets of habitat, the viability of these in the long-term is unknown.
Formerly widespread in the Brahmaputra floodplain, its associated tributaries and adjacent hill ranges in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, India and eastern Bangladesh (BirdLife International 2001). Recent records come from only a few localities: Kaziranga and nearby sites, wetlands around Dakhinpat Satra/Majuli, Dibru Saikhowa National Park and adjacent wetlands, and the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra including D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary and grasslands west of Roing (Krishnan 2021, SoIB 2023, eBird 2024). Current status in Bangladesh uncertain but no recent records in or adjacent to areas with historical records (eBird 2024, S. Chowdhury in litt. 2023); with very little to no habitat remaining for this species in Bangladesh, it is precautionarily considered possibly extinct there, although this requires confirmation.
It is resident in extensive reedbeds and tall grass, sometimes mixed with scrub and scattered trees, on marshy ground or adjacent to swamps and rivers, from the plains to 800 m, but mostly below 500 m. It has also been encountered in damp forest scrub. It is very inconspicuous, but has distinctive vocalisations, and is generally found in pairs or small parties, skulking on or near the ground. It breeds during the rainy season from May onwards.
Main threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation. Large parts of its (small) range are now protected, but areas that are not protected (chiefly in Arunachal Pradesh) continue to be subject to encroachment of agriculture (particularly for rice paddies, mustard and tea plantations), illegal grazing, grass harvesting for thatch production, and inappropriate grassland management within protected areas (Rahmani 2016, Choudhury 2021, Rahmani et al. 2022, Krishnan 2021). Extreme flooding events in the Brahmaputra valley, associated with rapid run-off from an increasingly denuded catchment, could damage grasslands, although some flooding may be beneficial to grassland quality. Similarly dam construction in the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh could negatively impact the species owing to changes in flow conditions (R. Das in litt. 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
Records from several protected areas, most notably Kaziranga NP, Dibru-Saikhowa NP and D'ering WLS, but much of its range still lies in unprotected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in remaining suitable habitat, perhaps using call playback, to establish its current distribution and status. Conduct research into its habitat use and seasonal movements to clarify the relative importance of different habitats and altitudes. Extend, upgrade and link existing protected areas, and establish new ones, in order to conserve remaining tracts of natural grassland. Promote regeneration of suitable grassland habitats wherever possible. Control livestock-grazing in protected areas and regulate grassland burning (A. Choudhury in litt. 2016) to reduce rates of tall grassland loss and degradation. Promote widespread conservation awareness initiatives focusing on sustainable management of grassland to maximise both thatch productivity for local people and available habitat for threatened grassland birds.
15 cm. Dark brown babbler with blackish streaks on lower throat and breast. Uniform brown crown and upperside. White of underparts restricted to throat and centre of belly. Lower throat and breast washed rufous at sides. Similar spp. Puff-throated Babbler P. ruficeps has prominent supercilium, rufous-brown crown and prominent brown spotting on breast. Voice Sings with short phrase, introduced by harsh notes krrt trr trr wi yi-yu; trr trr wi-you; trh-trh tu-tiu and trrh-ti trrh-ti trrh-ti. Hints Listen for its distinctive song in wet grasslands.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Choudhury, U., Rahmani, A., Chowdhury, S.U. & Das, K.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustre. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/marsh-babbler-pellorneum-palustre 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.