Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species formerly had a very large range, but it is now confined to an admittedly still large area at the base of the Himalaya, in India and Nepal. In this range it is confined to patches of remaining marshland, most of which are now in protected areas. Its population size is suspected to be small to moderately small (7,500-20,000 mature individuals), with plausibly no more than 750-2,000 in each subpopulation. Its current trend is not clear, but is precautionarily suspected to be declining due to ongoing habitat degradation, including in protected areas. It is accordingly listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
Population size unknown but relatively common where found. Population now largely restricted to protected areas, and Rahmani (2016) reported it from 'almost all suitable grasslands in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam', which include Manas NP, Kaziranga NP, Orang NP, D'Ering Memorial WS and Dibru-Saikhowa NP (e.g. Rahmani 2016, Chakdar et al. 2019, Rahmani et al. 2022, eBird 2024). In Nepal, however, the species is virtually confined to two disjunct populations: Shuklaphanta National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Across the two sites, Inskipp et al. (2016) estimated a total population size of 350-500 birds, and more recent dedicated surveys affirmed this, finding only 64 pairs in Shuklaphanta and 128 pairs in Koshi Tappu (total population size: 384 mature individuals) (Poudyal et al. 2023). Based on published densities and the distribution of records, the global population is precautionarily suspected to number 7,500-20,000 mature individuals. The largest subpopulation is probably no larger than 10% of this value, although the connectivity of fragmented populations is poorly known.
Trend justification
Historically this species has declined perhaps considerably, as evidenced by the large range contraction in the south (the species is now probably extinct in Bangladesh and large parts of its range away from the Brahmaputra floodplains). However, in recent years there is no reason to suspect or infer rapid declines, in large part because of conservation action which protects large areas of suitable habitat within its range. This species is considered sensitive to disturbance and habitat encroachment/degradation (see, e.g., Dahal et al. 2009) and locally there is some evidence of this continuing; for example, Rahmani (2016) reported evidence of ongoing encroachment and grazing pressure at some non-protected grasslands known to host this species, including Deobali Jalah. Moreover, much of the protected area network that benefits this species is managed for large vertebrates (e.g. Greater One-horned Rhino Rhinoceros unicornis) and practices may not in all circumstances benefit this species (there is also evidence of encroachment by non-native plants in some national parks: Rahmani 2016). However, overall this species is now 'doing very well in many protected areas with no apparent population decline' (Rahmani 2016) and it seems highly unlikely that the species is declining rapidly globally. While Rahmani (2016) reiterated that this situation could change in response to changes in river flow induced by climate change and damming practises in Arunachal Pradesh, these threats for now remain hypothetical (although require close monitoring). Accordingly, slow global declines (set in the band 0-15% over three generations [11 years]) are precautionarily suspected, with acknowledgement that most of these losses are in unprotected areas, which as time goes on will represent a diminishing percentage of this species' range and population size.
Ortygornis gularis is endemic to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins, from the Terai of western Nepal to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, northern India. It formerly occurred abundantly in Chittagong, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Sundarbans, Bangladesh (BirdLife International 2001), but there have been no recent records from the country and the species is considered extirpated (Siddiqui and Islam 2008). In Nepal, populations remain in the south-west (centred around Shuklaphanta National Park), Chitwan NP (where now apparently very scarce) and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. In India remains at a large number of sites (mostly protected areas) (see Rahmani 2016, eBird 2024), with strongholds around Dudhwa NP (and areas adjacent to Shuklaphanta e.g. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve), Kishanpur WLS, Katerniaghat WLS, Sohagi Barwa WLS, Suhelwa WLS, Hastinapur WLS and Valmiki TR. In Assam, it remains common and regularly encountered throughout Kaziranga and Orang NPs. Other sites include Manas NP, Laokhowa-Burhachapori WLS, and Dibru-Saikhowa NP (Rahmani 2016, eBird 2024).
It is resident in tall, wet, natural grasslands, particularly those dominated by Phragmites, Arundo, Saccharum and Narenga, and also occurs (at lower densities) in wet agricultural areas dominated by sugarcane and paddy interspersed with natural vegetation. Surveys in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, recorded seasonal shifts in habitat preference, with woodland-grassland and wet grassland favoured in the breeding season and summer, and dry grassland and woodland preferred in the monsoon season (Dahal et al. 2009). It is predominantly known from the lowlands (generally below 250 m), but moves to slightly higher altitudes during periods of high flood. A matrix of habitat including some agricultural areas is capable of supporting the species; however, in human-modified areas retention of some natural grassland habitat associated with wet areas appears to be critical (Iqubal et al. 2003).
Historically widespread drainage and encroachment/destruction of grasslands caused significant declines in this species, causing a total contraction of range away from Bangladesh (where it is now thought to be probably extinct) and significant population reductions (e.g. it was extirpated from several sites outside the protected area network in Assam in the 1990s (Choudhury 2000, A. Choudhury in litt. 2012). Hunting and trapping also occur locally (A. Rahmani in litt. 2012) and are thought to have contributed to declines. However, the majority of suitable habitat within this species' range now lies in protected areas thus the threat load is considerably lessened and rates of population decline are significantly reduced. Current threats include encroachment and overgrazing in remaining areas outside the protected area network (see Rahmani 2016), as well as some evidence of invasive plants in protected areas (although the impact of these on this species is not well known). In Nepal, surveys in 2023 identified even in protected areas that human disturbance and over-grazing were plausible threats, as well as possibly pesticides (Poudyal et al. 2023, C. Inskipp in litt. 2024).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is legally protected in India and Nepal. A majority of this species' population occurs in protected areas (Rahmani 2016, Poudyal et al. 2023, eBird 2024); however almost nowhere is management undertaken specifically for this species.
37 cm. Terrestrial gamebird with bright rufous throat. Finely barred upperparts and bold, white streaking below. Similar spp. Within range, only likely to be confused with Black Francolin F. francolinus and Grey Francolin F. pondicerianus. Differs from both by orange-rufous throat. Voice Territorial call is long series of sharp chuill notes, at rate of c.10 every eight seconds.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Choudhury, A.U., Dahal, B., Islam, Z., Javed, S., Rahmani, A. & Inskipp, C.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Swamp Francolin Ortygornis gularis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/swamp-francolin-ortygornis-gularis 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.