Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very restricted range in the Western Ghats of southern India. While this puts the species at an elevated risk, it occurs in modified scrubby habitats and is probably declining only slowly. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The global population size of this species has not been quantified. Although it has a localised and scattered distribution in the Western Ghats, occurring only on the upper plateau of the Nilgiri Hills in north-west Tamil Nadu and the western cliffs of adjacent Kerala (Zarri et al. 2008, Collar et al. 2020, eBird 2023, SoIB 2023), within this it is evidently common and among the most frequently encountered species within its range (eBird 2023).
Trend justification
Presumably much declined from historical baselines given the significant removal of habitat from within its range (see Reddy et al. [2016] for summary of forest cover changes in the Western Ghats between 1920 and 2013). There are no monitoring data from which to derive a current trend for this species, although it is precautionarily suspected to be declining, albeit at a slow rate. Habitat loss and degradation has been slow over the past decade (2013–2023) according to remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), and this species is evidently tolerant of relatively severe habitat modifications, occurring also in heavily degraded forests and wooded gardens (Collar et al. 2020, eBird 2023).
Montecincla cachinnans is endemic to southern India. It is predominantly found in the Nilgiri Hills, and a smaller disjunct population occurs in the Elival–Muthikkulam–Palamala range of Palakkad-Siruvani Hills, Kerala (Nameer et al. 2007).
Behaviour Nesting occurs between January and July with a clutch of two or three eggs (Collar et al. 2020). Habitat It is a sedentary resident, inhabiting dense undergrowth and moist, shady lower storey vegetation of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, especially densely wooded ravines and hollows ("sholas") and forest edge. Occurs at 1,400-2,600 m, but mostly above 1,600 m (Zarri et al. 2008, Collar et al. 2020). It also occurs in gardens, patches of natural scrub, and hill guava trees Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, and even occasionally strays into Eucalyptus, tea and Acacia plantations. Population densities are high in intact forest, but are roughly halved in disturbed forest (del Hoyo et al. 2007). Diet It feeds on invertebrates, nectar, flowers, fruits and berries.
Large-scale conversion of forest into plantations, reservoirs, crops and human settlements are the main threats. Commercial plantations of tea, Eucalyptus and Acacia have been increasing in area across its range. The indiscriminate use of inorganic pesticides may also be a problem (Zarri 2005). Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change.
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in Mukurti National Park in Tamil Nadu and a rather small part of its range is encompassed by the upper reaches of the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala. Some sholas in the Upper Nilgiris are afforded partial protection as reserve forests and are included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, although these receive considerably less protection than national parks (del Hoyo et al. 2007). There have been some moves to stop further conversion of natural forests and grasslands into plantations in Tamil Nadu.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Praveen, J. & Rahmani, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Nilgiri Chilappan Montecincla cachinnans. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/nilgiri-chilappan-montecincla-cachinnans on 18/12/2024.
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 18/12/2024.