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

Justification of Red List category

Due to limited survey data, the population size of this species within its restricted global range remains unquantified. It seems relatively abundant in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, and Bhutan, yet its elusive nature suggests it could be more widespread than previously assumed. Declines in forest cover do not appear significant in the last ten years, especially at the higher elevations this species occupies. Due to this, S. caudatus is listed as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified; however, it has been described as a very rare and very local resident in Nepal (Inskipp et al. 2016), frequently recorded in Bhutan (Collar and Robson 2020), and locally common in India (Collar and Robson 2020), very commonly found in Pange and Talley valley (Singh 1994). eBird records suggest the species is locally common in Sikkim, areas of Bhutan and in western Arunachal Pradesh (eBird 2024). It is also suggested that the species is more widespread and abundant than current records imply.

Trend justification

Remote sensing data indicate that ongoing rates of forest loss are minimal: over the past ten years (2013-2023) Sikkim has undergone a decline of 0.41% in tree cover, Bhutan has experienced a decline of 0.55%, Arunachal Pradesh a 2.3% decrease and Nepal a 0.37% decrease (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. (2013) and methods therein). Deforestation pressures, primarily occurring at lower elevations for development and agriculture, are less likely to significantly impact the species, which generally inhabits higher elevations.

Despite protective measures, there are some threats to habitat, such as illegal logging, which has been described as a major driver of deforestation in Arunachal Pradesh (Sheth et al. 2020). Additionally, rural communities in Sikkim heavily rely on forests for the collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), fuelwood extraction, and other purposes (Kanade and John 2018). However, these threats are not currently considered significant enough to pose a major risk to the species. Areas within the 300-2,500 m range, known as the agro-ecological zone, experienced significant conversion for agriculture, including the cultivation of Large Cardamon (Amomum subulatum) which notably expanded in the 1980s and 1990s. However, since 2000, the conversion rate has decreased, leading to abandoned plantations at different stages of successional forest (Kanade and John 2018). This indicates a possibility for localised recovery of areas that were converted for agriculture within the species range.

Precautionarily the species is suspected to be declining at a slow rate, placed here in the band 0-5% in ten years: the lower estimate considers the species' relatively high elevational range and low rates of forest cover loss, while the upper limit opts for a more cautious approach.

Spelaeornis caudatus occurs in Nepal (very rare and local in the east), Bhutan and India (where it is locally common in Sikkim, northern West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh). As it is a highly skulking species and easily overlooked, further research may reveal it to be more widespread and abundant than current records imply.

This species inhabits dense undergrowth of moist evergreen forest, often in steep gullies, especially where ferns, mossy rocks and fallen trees abound. Elevational range in Bhutan 1400–2400 m, 1800–2400 m in India, 2135–2440 m in Nepal (Collar and Robson 2020).

The threats to forest cover within S. caudatus' range include deforestation due to land use changes, continued collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) and fuelwood extraction, illegal logging, incentives tied to illegal timber harvesting, and expansion of livestock grazing into forested areas (Kanade and John, 2018, Inskipp et al. 2016). Due to increasingly warmer and drier weather, forest fires could potentially pose a threat to the species in Sikkim, particularly as many occur in broadleaved Sal forests. However, it is notable that the majority of these fires are concentrated below 1,500 m, which represents only a small portion of this species' elevational range (Sharma and Thapa 2021).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within the range to determine current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation.  Effectively protect significant areas of suitable forest at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community-led multiple use areas.

Text account compilers
Martin, R., Gilroy, J., Chad, E., Benstead, P., Westrip, J.R.S., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Baral, H.S., Inskipp, C. & Thakur, M.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rufous-throated Wren-babbler Spelaeornis caudatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-throated-wren-babbler-spelaeornis-caudatus 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.