• 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 ongoing decline in the area, extent and quality of available habitat. It is also suspected to have a relatively small population size (<10,000 mature individuals) however this requires confirmation, as does whether the declines in habitat are causing a decline in mature individuals. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population is suspected to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size, however this requires survey-evidenced confirmation. There is c.1,500 km² of forest left in this species' range, excluding plantations (Global Forest Watch [2021] using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). No density has been recorded for this species or its congeners, however it is provisionally suspected that the species may number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. The number of subpopulations has not been accurately estimated, however population has become somewhat fragmented and this species likely has a poor ability to disperse; artificial habitat fragmentation is therefore considered likely to have introduced novel population structure.

Trend justification
A slow decline is suspected due to ongoing forest loss (Global Forest Watch [2021] based on Hansen et al. [2013]), although there is much uncertainty at the rate of this decline given this species’ ability to survive outside forest; indeed it is conceivable that habitat may have increased in some areas with cutting of forest, but studies needed to determine true degree of independence from forest.

Spelaeornis longicaudatus is endemic to hills south of the Brahmaputra river, north-east India. Its range was thought to include the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, North Cachar Hills of Assam, and Naga Hills of Nagaland (BirdLife International 2001); where it was formerly quite common and widespread within this limited range (particularly in the Khasi Hills). Recently, there have been records in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, further eastward from the Khasi Hills (Gassah and Ismavel 2019). The species is therefore likely restricted mainly to higher elevation areas of Meghalaya (P. Singh via T. Price in litt. 2016). However, the general lack of comprehensive records partly reflects a paucity of ornithological fieldwork because of security problems.

It is probably sedentary in dense undergrowth of moist broadleaved evergreen (particularly oak Quercus and Rhododendron forests) or pine Pinus forests, favouring ravines and steep, rocky, boulder-strewn hillsides covered with moss, ferns and orchids, between 1,000-2,000 m. The species may also be able to survive outside its immediate forest habitat (Collar & Robson 2020). It is insectivorous, mainly terrestrial, occurring solitarily or in pairs, and is silent and unobtrusive. Breeding takes place during April-June.

The main threat is presumed to be forest clearance, degradation and fragmentation, primarily as a result of shifting cultivation, but also through burning, cutting for fuelwood collection and, more locally, commercial timber extraction. This occurs both within and outside protected areas, where enforcement of regulations is often absent or impossible. Some security may be provided by the ability of the species to survive outside forests, however further monitoring is needed to determine the extent of forest-independence (Collar & Robson 2020). Overgrazing of forest undergrowth by domestic livestock (which is a problem throughout its range) may pose a serious threat, given its reliance on understorey habitats.

Conservation Actions Underway
None are known. However, there are some community conservation areas in Meghalaya where the habitat is largely protected (A. Choudhury in litt. 2020). There are some protected areas in its formerly known range (e.g. the Barail, Pulie Badge and Intanki protected areas), though it is not currently known from these localities. The species may also be locally protected in sacred groves, including occurrences in Mawphlang, Meghalaya (Collar & Robson 2020). 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct comprehensive surveys for the species in north-east India, to establish its range, distribution and population status, whilst assessing its habitat requirements and identifying threats. Monitor independence of species from forest habitats (Collar & Robson 2020). Make recommendations for conservation, based on survey findings.
Establish protected areas around any new sites found to support populations (probably in the Khasi Hills, potentially near Cherrapunji) (Choudhury 2014, P. Singh via T. Price in litt. 2016), and link these to existing reserves where appropriate. Ensure stronger regulation of any future large-scale montane timber extraction within its range. Conduct widespread conservation awareness initiatives in hill and mountain communities, aimed at reducing shifting agriculture and promoting sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

11-12 cm. Small, long-tailed wren-babbler with slightly scaled brown underparts. Pale orange-buff underparts with indistinct pale flecking. Grey lores and ear-coverts. Similar spp. Naga Wren-babbler S. chocolatinus has more rufous underparts with conspicuous buff-and-brown flecking.

Text account compilers
Fernando, E., Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Choudhury, A., Gilroy, J., Price, T., Singh, P., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler Spelaeornis longicaudatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tawny-breasted-wren-babbler-spelaeornis-longicaudatus 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.