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

Justification of Red List category
Sholicola major is listed as Near Threatened because it has a relatively small range within which it is thought to be declining due to habitat modification, with more rapid future declines possible because of climate change. However, there is no evidence that it is confined to few (<10) Locations and any declines are suspected to be slow.

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 (eBird 2023, SoIB 2023), and may therefore have a population size that is moderately small.

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), although these analyses are relatively insensitive to forest degradation or modifications that don't affect the forest canopy. Modelling for this species' only congener, Sholicola albiventris, projected that the latter would lose a significant amount (26.6–44.9%) of habitat in response to climate change by 2050 (Sreekumar and Nameer 2022). While this modelling approach has not been applied to the present species, given the similarity of the two and their ecological niches, it might reasonably be expected that climate change is affecting this species now, or will do so in the near future.

Sholicola major is restricted to the Nilgiri Hills and South Wayanad Hills, Kerala, and to three peaks in south-west Karnataka, including the Baba Budan Hills, in southern India (del Hoyo et al. 2005, SoIB 2023).

This sedentary species can be found in the undergrowth of "shola" (sheltered woods) from 900-2,100 m, but more typically between 1,000 and 1,500 m (del Hoyo et al. 2005, V. V. Robin in litt. 2010). It breeds in April and May, laying a clutch of 2-3 eggs. It is secretive and shy, creeping through vegetation and around fallen timber, presumably foraging for small insects (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

As reported for other species in the Western Ghats, an increasing human population has led to increased illegal encroachment into forests. Harvesting of fuelwood and huge quantities of forest products is likely to have a negative impact on this species, and it suffers some effects of livestock grazing (V. V. Robin in litt. 2012). Furthermore, having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change (see, for example, Sreekumar and Nameer 2022, in relation to this species' sole congener).

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in Mukurti and Silent Valley national parks, Aralam and Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuaries and Bhadra Tiger Reserve (J. Praveen in litt. 2012, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Regularly monitor populations at selected sites and develop a database of information for formulating conservation management strategies for different areas. Campaign for a moratorium on conversion of remaining natural forests to plantations in the Nilgiris. Promote community-based conservation initiatives focusing on restoration of natural habitats in the Nilgiris, including protection of undergrowth and shrubs in existing old plantations. Initiate conservation-awareness programmes in the Nilgiris.

14 cm. Small, chat-like bird with uniform, dark slaty-blue head, breast and upperside. Whitish centre of abdomen with rufous flanks and undertail-coverts. Similar spp. White-bellied Blue Robin M. albiventris has dark slaty-blue flanks and white undertail coverts with white supercilium. Voice Song a short jumble of shrill whistles and harsh notes, combining whistled calls and twangy buzzes, sometimes with mimicry. Calls include a strained, indrawn whistle and harsher rattles.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Praveen, J. & Robin, V.V.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Nilgiri Sholakili Sholicola major. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/nilgiri-sholakili-sholicola-major on 25/11/2024.
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 25/11/2024.