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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a small range with an extent of occurrence of only c. 15,600 km². Within this, there is limited evidence of habitat degradation assumed precautionarily to causing a continuing decline in the quality and extent of suitable habitat. Nonetheless, much of its habitat remains in very remote and inaccessible areas and, where found, it can occur at relatively high densities. Accordingly, it is assessed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but citizen science data (eBird 2022) suggest it is regularly observed in the correct habitat, although this may be extremely localised. In India it is confined to Arunachal Pradesh where, historically, it was often thought to be rare (see BirdLife International 2001). However, in Namdapha National Park (nearly 2,000 km² in extent) it appears to be locally common, and it likely occurs too in adjacent forest areas, including Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (A. Choudhury and U. Srinivasan in litt. 2016). It has been observed only sporadically in northern Myanmar (e.g. Ming-Xia Zhang et al. 2017, eBird 2022), however this region is comparatively under-recorded and the area of suitable habitat is large. Away from the township of Putao, much of this habitat remains undegraded and likely supports a relatively large population. However, the ability to derive a population estimate is further confounded by this species' apparent reliance on a particular species of bamboo (Praveen J in litt. 2023), for which no accurate quantification of extent exists. In the absence of an accurate area with which to apply a proposed density, the population size is for now best considered unknown.

Trend justification
This species is precautionarily suspected to be declining, although the rate of this is assumed to be slow. Within its assumed range, remote sensing data indicate that 1-2% of forest was lost in the ten years to 2022 (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Most of this is attributable to the slow attrition of forest around the township of Putao, Myanmar, while populations in India have remained secure. As a forest-dependent species, this is nonetheless thought to have some impact, and the species is precautionarily suspected to have declined by 1-9% between 2012 and 2022. The future rate of decline is uncertain. However, while most of the range in India lies in habitat either remote or within a protected area (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2022), that in Myanmar remains vulnerable. The same rate of loss is therefore predicted into the future.

Stachyris oglei is endemic to the Patkai and Mishmi Hills of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, north-east India and adjacent northern Myanmar (BirdLife International 2001).

It breeds during April to July in moist, dense scrub in rocky ravines, and winters in bamboo and undergrowth of primary evergreen forest on rocky hillsides. It is generally encountered in winter in monospecific flocks of up to 20 individuals and is quite vocal, but wary and skulking. Its elevational limits are uncertain owing to potential unreliability of records, but it is known to occur from 300-800 m, possibly up to 900 m (del Hoyo et al. 2007, Srinivasan et al. 2010).

Its tolerance of habitat degradation is not known, making identification of specific threats difficult. However, habitat loss and degradation is assumed to be the main threat to the species, although this appears to be occurring at a slow rate. According to remote sensing data (per Global Forest Watch 2022), only 1-2% of forest was lost between 2012 and 2022. This suggests the main threat to this species is encroaching agriculture, rather than larger-scale losses. The majority of forest cover loss in its range has occurred in Myanmar, with known areas of occupation in India largely protected (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2022).

Conservation Actions Underway
The only known substantial population is in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, and it occurs in adjacent Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (U. Srinivasan in litt. 2016).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in suitable habitat to establish its range, distribution and population status and to assess its habitat requirements and main threats. Make recommendations for its conservation, based on survey findings, including the establishment of protected areas, linked to existing reserves where appropriate. Discourage further large-scale montane timber extraction within its range.

Identification

16 cm. Medium-small, distinctive babbler with broad white supercilium, cheeks and throat. Grey breast and black mask. Warm brown crown and rest of upperparts, wings and tail finely barred dark brown. Similar spp. Spot-necked Babbler S. strialata has black malar line. Voice Rapid, metallic rattles when agitated.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Choudhury, A., Gilroy, J., Praveen J, Srinivasan, U., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Snowy-throated Babbler Stachyris oglei. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/snowy-throated-babbler-stachyris-oglei 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.