Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is categorised as Near Threatened because it is restricted to closed-canopy forest in a region where deforestation is occurring at a rapid rate, implying that it is experiencing ongoing population declines that are at least moderately rapid. It is not considered more threatened because it shows some tolerance of habitat degradation and ranges into montane areas where forest is typically more secure.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified. However, it is typically described as common or uncommon (Wells 1999, Mann 2008, Eaton et al. 2016) and in Sarawak, Borneo, a density of 30 birds/km2 was recorded (Fogden 1976). Consequently, although the population size has not been estimated, it is not considered likely to meet or approach the threshold for assessment as Threatened (<10,000 mature individuals).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining because of forest loss throughout its range. Over the past three generations (13.8 years; Bird et al. 2020), forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to 24–26% (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 the that of forest loss.
Actenoides concretus is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, from south Tenasserim, Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (formerly), Kalimantan, Sumatra (including offshore islands) and Java, Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001).
This species occurs in the middle stratum and understorey of lowland and hill forest up to 1,200 m (exceptionally 1,700 m on Borneo [Mann 2008]). It inhabits only closed-canopy forest, but can occur in regenerating logged forest.
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 hill forest, which is under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion. The species has not yet been identified in trade markets in South-East Asia, although other kingfishers have been and so this may represent a small threat to this species.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species although it benefits from the wider protection of Sundaic lowland forest.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys across the range to estimate population trends. Ensure the protection of remaining tracts of primary lowland rainforest throughout the range.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rufous-collared Kingfisher Actenoides concretus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-collared-kingfisher-actenoides-concretus 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.