Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population is suspected to be declining only slowly, thus does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is not quantified, but is suspected of being relatively large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been estimated, but it has a very large range wherein it is described as common in Thailand (Treesucon and Limparungpatthanakij 2018) and uncommon in Cambodia (Goes 2014); its status elsewhere is poorly known.
Trend justification
Despite being an adaptable species, and expanding its distribution locally in the south, G. floweri is precautionarily suspected of being in decline. In northern Thailand, the conversion of moist grazing areas to dry croplands and orchards is likely to be causing a decline (per Limparungpatthanakij 2022). Elsewhere, in urban areas, it is thought to be adversely affected competitors like Acridotheres tristis and A. grandis. Nonetheless, the species remains common throughout much of its range (eBird 2022) and any decline is likely to be slow.
The majority of this species' range lies in Thailand and south-west China, as well as adjacent Myanmar, Cambodia and, narrowly, Laos (eBird 2022). The species has recently expanded its range south, such that populations in southernmost Peninsular Thailand, and even northernmost Peninsular Malaysia, are considered here part of the native range, while those further south (in urban areas around Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore) are considered non-native, although this requires additional research (P. D. Round in litt. 2022, W. Limparungpatthanakij in litt. 2022, eBird 2022).
It is found in a wide variety of open areas with scattered trees, grasslands, cultivated and urban areas (Limparungpatthanakij 2022).
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Limparungpatthanakij, W. & Round, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Thai Pied Starling Gracupica floweri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/thai-pied-starling-gracupica-floweri on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.