Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 82,000-320,000 pairs, which equates to 164,000-640,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms c.35% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 468,000-1,829,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. The European population trend is unknown (BirdLife International 2015).
During the breeding season it occupies pine (Pinus) and birch (Betula) forests, willow (Salix) swamps, reedbeds, poplar (Populus) groves, and alders (Alnus) along streams, as well as gardens, orchards, sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), Myricaria elegans bushes and Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron) thickets, and on hillsides covered with juniper (Juniperus) in semi-arid mountain and in patches of dwarf birch along tree-line. Breeding occurs from May to early August and clutches are two to five eggs. The nest is a ball of coarse grass stems and dry leaves, plant fibres, animal hair and feathers, well concealed on ground, or up to four metres above it in low thorn-scrub or bush. The diet is poorly known but includes small insects and spiders (Araneae) and probably some small berries in autumn. The species is migratory (Clement 2015).
There are not thought to be any current significant threats to this species within its European range.
Conservation Actions Underway
CMS Appendix II. Bern Convention Appendix II. There are currently no known conservation measures for this species within Europe.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species within Europe.
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Ashpole, J, Butchart, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mountain-chiffchaff-phylloscopus-sindianus on 09/12/2024.
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 09/12/2024.