Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species occurs in lowland evergreen forest in a region in which deforestation is occurring at a rapid rate. It is therefore likely to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline, and should be monitored carefully. On this basis it is considered Near Threatened, but is not regarded as more threatened owing to its tolerance of some modified habitats.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified but is believed to be large given the range and frequency of records in suitable habitat. Although it is considered scarce in most part of its range (Wells 1999, Eaton et al. 2016), it is not considered likely to meet or approach the threshold for listing as Threatened (<10,000 mature individuals).
Trend justification
Suspected to be declining because of forest loss throughout its range. Over the past three generations (14.1 years; Bird et al. 2020), forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to 27-28% (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Because this rate was similar between 2016 and 2020, with little indication this will slow in the future, the same rate is projected over the next three generations. As a forest-dependent species, the population is suspected to be declining at a rate broadly similar to that of forest loss although its utilising of degraded habitats (in, e.g., Singapore) suggests the rate of decline may be slightly less.
This species is confined to the Sundaic lowlands of south Tenasserim, Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001).
This species occurs in primary lowland evergreen forest, where the majority of the population occurs below 250 m, although it has been noted at 800 m on Borneo (Mann 2008, Eaton et al. 2016). It is also found in tall secondary forest, poor-quality Dipterocarp slope forest and occasionally in rubber plantations.
Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas (Hansen et al. 2013, Global Forest Watch 2022). Forest fires have previously had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998) and may do so again in the future. The magnitude of these threats may be allayed partially by this species' tolerance of degraded forest types (especially where adjacent to more undisturbed areas). Has been recorded in the songbird trade (Marthy and Farine 2018) in Indonesia although this is not considered to be a main threat for this species, nor is it likely to be driving declines (Symes et al. 2018).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although it occurs in a number of protected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys across the species' range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Conduct ecological studies to determine precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of lowland forest throughout the species' range. Continue to monitor habitat trends using remote sensing data.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Sulfani Udin, J., Taylor, J., Westrip, J.R.S., Gilroy, J. & Benstead, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Red-crowned Barbet Psilopogon rafflesii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/red-crowned-barbet-psilopogon-rafflesii 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.