Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic note
Previously placed in Trichastoma (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) and beforehand in Malacocincla but moved to this genus following Cai et al. (2019). See remarks under P. cinereiceps.
Populations in parts of Borneo have been regarded as subspecifically distinct, but variation slight and probably clinal; proposed subspecies sordida (NE Borneo) and saturata (Bangka, Belitung, and W Borneo) both considered synonymous with poliogene, but at least first-named is genetically very distinct (Lim and Sheldon 2011) and multiple cryptic species potentially involved (Sadanandan and Rheindt 2015). Proposed subspecies feriata (from Mt Mulu, in NW Borneo), based on single specimen, has characters apparently exhibited by juveniles of this species. Two subspecies recognized.
Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2021. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 6. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v6_Dec21.zip.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
medium |
| Land-mass type |
continent
shelf island
|
Average mass |
21 g |
Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as fairly common to common (Robson 2000). Density estimates vary from 87-270 individuals/km2 in forest, with densities highest in interior forest, and lowest near forest edge (Fogden 1976, Moradi & Mohamed 2010). Densities in other habitat types are unknown, as such it is not possible to generate a global population estimate; however, given the densities in forest and its pan-Sundaic range, its population is unlikely to approach population thresholds (<10,000 mature individuals) for listing as threatened.
Trend justification: Estimations on rates of population decline in this species are lacking. However, given its moderate forest dependence, an ongoing rapid decline is inferred on the basis of extensive lowland forest loss throughout the Greater Sundas. Global Forest Watch (2021) data indicate forest loss of c.22-26% in the past 3 generations, and these rates are not anticipated to cease or slow in the future. Although its tolerance of secondary forest and overgrown plantations may allay some of these impacts, densities are up to three times lower at forest edge compared to the interior (Moradi & Mohamed 2010) and so it is likely habitat degradation and fragmentation detrimentally affect this species also. It is therefore suspected to undergo a decline near-equal to that of forest loss: population declines of 20-29% are therefore suspected to have occurred over the past 3 generations, and are predicted to continue in the future.
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Short-tailed Babbler Pellorneum malaccense. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/short-tailed-babbler-pellorneum-malaccense 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.
