Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This poorly known species was described as recently as 2022, following its discovery in the Meratus Mountains, to which it is endemic, in 2015. Despite its small range, it is generally described as common in available forest. The only identified threats to the species are forest loss and perhaps capture for the Indonesian songbird trade, which may be causing very slow rates of decline. It is listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been estimated, although it has consistently been described as locally common (Eaton et al. 2016, Eaton et al. 2021, Irham et al. 2022).
Trend justification
There are no accurate trend data available for this species, although it is suspected of declining. Forest loss in this species' mapped range has been equivalent to c.5-7% over the past ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). This species is thought to be moderately forest dependent. Although it has been recorded in forest mixed with rubber plantations, some forest loss, especially at the lowest limits of its elevational range, has amounted to total clearance for agriculture that is suspected of causing the loss of some territories. In 2022, this species was recorded in an Indonesian songbird market for the first time (P. Akbar in litt. 2022). The scale and impacts of this as a threat remain to be determined, but it is noteworthy that demand for other Cyornis in Indonesia (e.g. C. banyumas) has driven very rapid population declines which should be monitored in this species.
It is endemic to the Meratus Mountains in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
It occurs in hill forest, including areas interspersed with overgrown rubber plantations and secondary forest (Irham et al. 2022). It is typically found between 900-1,300 m (Eaton et al. 2016, 2021), however Irham et al. (2022) collected a specimen at 500 m.
The principal threat currently is forest loss, especially at lower limits of its elevational range (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on Hansen et al. 2013). The bird has been observed in local songbird markets (P. Akbar in litt. 2022) and this may prove an increasing threat given the desirability of other Cyornis flycatchers in Indonesia.
Conservation Actions Underway
None are known. The Meratus Range lacks any protected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Undertake surveys to determine an accurate population size given its small range. Urgently clarify the demand of this species for the songbird trade. Identify sites for habitat protection.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Akbar, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Meratus Blue Flycatcher Cyornis kadayangensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/meratus-blue-flycatcher-cyornis-kadayangensis on 03/12/2024.
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 03/12/2024.