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 under 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). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as quite numerous in north-eastern India, common in parts of China and locally common in South-East Asia (del Hoyo et al. 2006), while the population in China has been estimated at c.100-10,000 breeding pairs (Brazil 2009). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
This species has a large range, occurring in parts of north-eastern India, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
The species is a partial migrant, moving from breeding grounds in foothill and montane areas into lowlands and coastal plains during the non-breeding period. It is found in a variety of scrub and open woodland habitats, including margins of terraced cultivation and tea plantations (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Russet Grasshopper-warbler Locustella mandelli. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/russet-grasshopper-warbler-locustella-mandelli on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.