• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to be undergoing moderate declines due to habitat loss, where the rate of future forest cover loss is projected to be 20% over the next three generations. The suspected future population reduction is suspected to be at a rate at least equivalent to the loss of forest cover, and as such it is assessed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
Ferguson-Lees and Christie (2001) estimated the population to be 1,001-10,000 individuals, but thought that it was most likely nearer the latter figure. This is roughly equivalent to 670-6,700 mature individuals. The Japanese population is estimated to be c. 1,800 individuals (Asai et al. 2006), equivalent to c.1,200 mature individuals. In the absence of data from other parts of its range, the global population is placed in the band 1,200-6,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is likely to be declining owing to deforestation (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). During 2001-2020, 7.5% of forest cover was lost across this species’s range (Global Forest Watch 2021), equating to a loss of 11.5% over three generations (29.79 years [Bird et al. 2020]). During 2016-2020, 2.8% of forest cover was lost (Global Forest Watch 2021), equivalent to 19.7% when projected forward over three generations. This species is highly forest dependent (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001), therefore it is suspected to be declining at a similar rate to forest loss, although it may be tolerant of a certain level of disturbance and habitat fragmentation (Inskipp et al. 2016). In some parts of its range the species is under additional threats, such as hunting for its feathers (Taiban et al. 2019), electrocution and persecution due to poultry theft (T. R. Subedi, S. Gurung, H. S. Baral, S. Thomsett, R. Buij and M. Virani in litt. 2021), therefore the rate of decline may be greater in these areas.

This species ranges from north-east Pakistan, and the Himalayas of India, Nepal, and eastern Bhutan, through to China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Japan (Clark et al. 2015). It is frequently sighted in Kathmandu Vally, the Annapurna Region, and Langtang National Park, in Nepal (R. Gurung in litt. 2021).

This species inhabits dense foothill and montane evergreen forests, and mixed deciduous forests. In Japan, it prefers mature montane forest with open understorey and large trees for nesting (Clark et al. 2015).

The species is vulnerable to deforestation which is occurring throughout its range (Clark et al. 2015, Global Raptor Information Network 2015). The deforestation is caused by agriculture (Phumee et al. 2017), infrastructure development, and the harvesting of forest products (Chaudhary et al. 2016). In Japan there is one record of the species contracting avian influenza virus (H5N1) (Shivakoti et al. 2010). In Taiwan, the species is increasingly hunted for its feathers (Taiban et al. 2019), and it is exploited for the pet trade in some parts of Southeast Asia (Morris 1994). There is evidence from Nepal of this species being persecuted due to it taking poultry as prey (T. R. Subedi, S. Gurung, H. S. Baral, S. Thomsett, R. Buij and M. Virani in litt. 2021). Furthermore, it is also threatened by electrocution from powerlines, particularly in Nepal where ambitious hydro-electricity plans are leading to the creation of a large power network (T. R. Subedi, S. Gurung, H. S. Baral, S. Thomsett, R. Buij and M. Virani in litt. 2021).

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed on CITES Appendix II, CMS Appendix II and Raptors MoU Category 2.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Further research is needed on population size and trends. The population is suspected to be declining at a rate of >20% due to deforestation, however there is currently very little data on population trends. Monitor the number of individuals being exploited for the pet trade. Install mitigation measures to try and reduce the impact of power infrastructure on this species and other raptors. Raise awareness with farmers to try and prevent persecution.

Text account compilers
Clark, J., Haskell, L.

Contributors
Ashpole, J, Baral, H.S., Buij, R., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Gurung, R., Gurung, S., Harding, M., Subedi, T., Thomsett, S. & Virani, M.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mountain Hawk-eagle Nisaetus nipalensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mountain-hawk-eagle-nisaetus-nipalensis on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.