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

Justification of Red List category
This species is relatively common within its range, but given that this area is very restricted the global population is thought to be moderately small. It is also thought to be losing suitable habitat through logging pressure, and therefore is considered Near Threatened. Recent records from heavily degraded habitats suggest it may be resilient to habitat degradation and current concerns of its status may prove unwarranted in the future.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally common (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline due to loss and degradation of its habitat, but the trend has not been directly estimated. Tracewski et al. (2016) measured the forest loss within the species’s range between 2000 and 2012 as c. 60 km². This roughly equates to a rate of forest loss of 2.5% over 10 years for this species. The only threat known for the species is forest clearance. Slaty-backed Thrush occurs in primary, secondary and degraded forests; thus, while in decline, it may not be severely affected by deforestation.

The species is endemic to Indonesia, where it is restricted to the Tanimbar Islands (Larat and Yamdena). It has been described as generally common, but it is likely to be declining owing to on-going forest loss within its very small range. It is thought to have a relatively small population owing to the small size of its range.

The species inhabits the undergrowth and subcanopy of primary and secondary lowland forests, where it prefers dense vegetation along watercourses. It has also been found in degraded forest on the edge of cultivation. It forages on the forest floor, though it is not as terrestrial as other thrushes of the region and will sit high in the subcanopy and middle storeys if flushed. The species is sometimes seen in small groups. It is considered to be more active during the wet season.

The most severe threat to the species is the logging of forests in the southern part of Yamdena Island, which reduces the available habitat within its small range. However, recent records of Slaty-backed Thrush from heavily degraded habitats suggest that it may be more resilient to habitat degradation than feared.

Conservation Actions Underway

None are known.

Conservation Actions Proposed

Map forest loss over time within the species's range. Research the species' population density and habitat preferences to inform a global population estimate. During fieldwork assess threats to the species and recommend conservation actions appropriately. Protect significant areas of forest at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community-led multiple use areas.

Text account compilers
Mahood, S., Benstead, P., Bird, J., Hermes, C., Khwaja, N.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Slaty-backed Thrush Geokichla schistacea. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/slaty-backed-thrush-geokichla-schistacea on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.