Current view: Data table and detailed info
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.
Wells, D. R.; Dickinson, E. C.; Dekker, R. W. R. J. 2003. A preliminary review of the Chloropseidae and Irenidae. Zoologische Verhandelingen 344: 25-42.
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 |
|
Average mass |
- |
Population justification: The population size is unknown, and due to the severe trapping pressure exerted on the species it is not possibly to extrapolate suitable density figures across an estimated area of suitable habitat. Previously Sumatran Leafbird was considered likely to be common within range on Sumatra but poorly known (del Hoyo et al. 2005). However, while rates of bird trapping were high, a surge in popularity in leafbirds, especially Greater Green C. sonnerati, occurred from 2012 onwards resulting in exceptionally high numbers being trapped and traded (Chng et al. 2017) with increases in all leafbird species traded. Sumatra has been heavily targeted by trappers since the ban on international imports following the Avian Influenza outbreak in 2001. Observations of Sumatran Leafbird are now very few, widely scattered across the former range (J. Eaton in litt. 2016), and the population is certainly much reduced.
Trend justification: The population is suspected to be suffering a very rapid declining in population due to trapping for the cage bird trade, coupled with ongoing habitat destruction. A process of expert review classified the species as 'Severely Declining' (Harris et al. 2015), and a modelling approach to estimating potential rates of decline based on accessibility of the range and desirability of the species calculated that the species could be suspected to decline by 72% due to hunting within the next three-generation period (Symes et al. 2018).
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sumatran Leafbird Chloropsis media. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sumatran-leafbird-chloropsis-media 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.