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). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). While a provisional suspected population size has been supplied that suggested the population may be close to 1,000 mature individuals, appraisal of the extent of the range and frequency of observation (especially in the eastern half of the range where there appear few if any threats) indicates that this is very unlikely, hence the population size is not thought to approach thresholds for listing as threatened. Reported range contraction and reductions in the western half of the range indicate the need for improved monitoring of this low-density species, and there is a clear need for a plausible global population estimate based on targeted surveys from key parts of the range. With the greatest likelihood being that the population size is not small, and much of the range apparently unaffected by significant threats to the species, it is assessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
A very preliminary population size was given as 1,000-10,000 individuals (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). While in parts of the range the species appears to occur at very low densities, towards the eastern end of the range sightings are more frequent and it does not appear plausible that the total number of mature individuals is close to 1,000 (G. Dutson in litt. 2021). As such, the current population size is considered unknown, and remains a priority for research into this poorly-known falcon.
Trend justification
The species appears to have declined noticeably in India (A. Rahman, R. Bhargava in litt. 2021), and there are no reliable 20th or 21st century records from the Western Ghats (Praveen J. in litt. 2021), indicating that any migratory population may no longer exist. Causes of this apparent range contraction are uncertain, but forest loss has been suspected to be driving declines (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). During 2001-2020, 9.1% of forest cover was lost across this species’s range (Global Forest Watch 2021), equating to a loss of 5.7% over three generations (11.73 years [Bird et al. 2020]). During 2016-2020, 3.5% of forest cover was lost (Global Forest Watch 2021), equivalent to 10% when projected forward over three generations. This species utilises other habitats for hunting, but nests predominantly in forests (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). There are currently no other known threats to the species, therefore the maximum suspected rate of reduction is set as the rate of forest loss.
Oriental Hobby occurs from India, Bhutan and Nepal (formerly considered to breed in the Himalayas and winter south to to southern India and Sri Lanka, though there are no 20th or 21st Century records from the Western Ghats at least [Praveen J. in litt. 2021]), east and south through Myanmar, China (Yunnan, Guangdong and Hainan), Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam and Cambodia, Philippines, Java and Sulawesi (Indonesia) then east through Papua and Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (Clark et al. 2020). It has been recorded as a vagrant on Palau (Owen 1977).
Occurs in forest, from sea level to 2,600 m, nesting in trees (Clark et al. 2020). Individuals are thought to range widely and has been observed hunting over different habitats for a variety of prey (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001).
Deforestation is likely to threaten the species (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). No other threats known at present although the species is very poorly studied (Clark et al. 2020).
Conservation actions underway
Falco severus is listed on CITES Appendix II, CMS Appendix II and Raptors MoU Category 2.
Conservation actions proposed
There is currently very little data available to estimate population size of this species, therefore it would benefit from greater survey effort to clarify status. Further research is also needed to understand the threats to the species.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Haskell, L., Bell, F.
Contributors
Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Harding, M., Ashpole, J & Dutson, G.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Oriental Hobby Falco severus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/oriental-hobby-falco-severus on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.