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Justification of Red List category
This species is precautionarily classified as Near Threatened owing to a potentially small population size and a suspected decline due to habitat degradation and some level of trapping for trade. 

Population justification
The global population size has not previously been quantified, but within the restricted range the species is described as locally common (Collar and Robson 2020). Based on the extent of suitable habitat within the range and altitude used by the species, and using density estimates for close relatives with a similar body size, a preliminary population size estimate is between 18,091 - 37,037 individuals. This equates to 12,061-24,691 mature individuals, placed in the population band 10,000-20,000 mature individuals. This is an uncertain estimate, with the observation that while locally common where observed, the species was recorded much less frequently than other sympatric members of Leiotrichidae for which densities have been estimated, such as Dark-backed Sibia (Hill et al. 2001).

Trend justification
Deforestation data indicates that the area of suitable habitat is declining, on average, by around 5-10% (Tracewski et al. 2016; Global Forest Watch 2020) over three generations (10.5 years; Bird et al. 2020). Assuming that population declines are proportional to habitat loss, it is therefore unlikely that the decline approaches the threshold for listing as threatened under the population decline criterion (at least a 30% decline over 10 years or 3 generations). However, as the species is trapped for the pet trade (particularly in De Lat; Le Manh Hung in litt. 2020), the species may be declining faster than rates of forest loss alone. Thus, the population is suspected to be undergoing a slow decline of c. 1-19% over three generations.

Cutia legalleni occurs as two races within a small range in south-east Asia. C. l. hoae occurs on the Kon Tum Plateau in the eastern part of south Laos and central Annam in Viet Nam, whilst C. l. legalleni is confined to the Da Lat Plateau in South Annam, Viet Nam. Although it is locally common, it has a small and disjunct range, and should it be demonstrated that C. l. hoae is actually part of Himalayan Cutia C. nipalensis, (S. Mahood in litt. 2019) then Vietnamese Cutia would be restricted to the Da Lat Plateau. As presently recognised, the extent of occurrence (EOO) of the species is 98,300 km², as calculated from a minimum convex polygon. The maximum area of occupancy (AOO) has been estimated to be 19,626 km², calculated as the remaining tree area within the species's range (Tracewski et al. 2016).

It occurs in broadleaved evergreen forest, mixed broadleaved and pine forest, and sometimes pure pine forest (but usually when close to broadleaved forest). Although it may use secondary growth or logged primary forest it probably has an association with primary forest. It is typically seen in the canopy and sub-canopy of primary forest, travelling either in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds feeding amongst epiphytes or moss covered branches and around bowls in large trees (J. C. Eames in litt. 2007). It usually occurs at altitudes of 1,200 - 2,100 m (Collar and Robson 2020). 

Forest within its range is threatened by logging and by conversion to coffee. The species may also be caught and traded as a pet (Le Manh Hung in litt. 2016). 

Conservation Actions Underway
It is present in Thuong Da Nhim Nature Reserve and Bi Doup - Nui Ba and Chu Yang Sin National Parks.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Investigate the total population size and the number of individuals in each subpopulation. Study its ecological requirements and its tolerance of habitat degradation. Monitor trends in habitat loss. Protect large areas of suitable habitat at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community managed multiple use areas. Investigate the taxonomic status of C. l. hoae, suspected to actually belong with C. nipalensis (S. Mahood in litt. 2019). 

Identification 17.5-19.5 cm. Distinctive, short-tailed babbler. Male has forehead to nape bluish-tinged slate grey, broad black mask, whit throat, bright rufous-chestnut upperparts and barred underparts. Female has white throat and barred underparts but lacks the striking bluish grey crown and chestnut upperpart features of the male. Similar species. Himalayan Cutia. Male lacks fully barred underparts and lower throat. Female has crown and facemask features similar to the male unlike Vietnamese Cutia. Voice Variable, distinctive whistes wuyeet wu wi wi wi wi woo repeated every 3-6 seconds, wuyeet wu weeit-wu and other similar calls.

Text account compilers
Elliott, N., Fernando, E.

Contributors
Craik, R., Eames, J.C., Hung, L., Taylor, J., Mahood, S. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/vietnamese-cutia-cutia-legalleni on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.