NT
Sri Lanka Warbler Elaphrornis palliseri



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Elaphrornis palliseri (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) was previously listed as Bradypterus palliseri; appears to be closely related to that genus, but differs in structure (relatively shorter-tailed and longer-billed), plumage (unmarked) and song. Placement in separate genus confirmed by molecular analysis of Alström et al. (2018). Monotypic.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Near Threatened B1b(ii,iii,v)
2016 Near Threatened B1ab(iii);C1
2012 Near Threatened B1ab(iii);C1
2008 Near Threatened B1a+b(iii); C1
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Near Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type shelf island
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 6,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2016-2025
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Generation length 2.4 years - - -

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally not uncommon (del Hoyo et al. 2006). It is mostly abundant in montane forests. A survey across the Sri Lankan wet and montane zones detected the species approximately 169 times during 2007-2009 (E. Goodale in litt. 2020).

Trend justification: Slight declines are thought likely to be occurring as a result of habitat loss within the lower elevational range of this species.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Sri Lanka extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Sri Lanka Hakgala / Meepilimana
Sri Lanka Haputale
Sri Lanka Horton plains / Ohiya / Pattipola-Ambewela
Sri Lanka Knuckles Range (Knuckles IBA)
Sri Lanka Morningside and Handapan Ella Plains (Sinharaja IBA)
Sri Lanka Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka Peak Wilderness Sanctuary
Sri Lanka Tangamalai

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude suitable resident
Altitude 1500 - 0 m Occasional altitudinal limits (min) 350 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sri Lanka Warbler Elaphrornis palliseri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sri-lanka-warbler-elaphrornis-palliseri on 25/12/2024.
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 25/12/2024.