• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

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). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is unknown, but it is not believed to 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 global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon to rare (del Hoyo et al. 2001, Collar 2020). However, much of the species' range remains inaccessible and has not been surveyed. Nevertheless, on account of its large distribution, it is likely that the population exceeds 10,000 mature individuals. This, however, requires confirmation.

Trend justification
Tree cover loss within the species' range is minimal at c.1% in the three generations to 2022 (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is however highly dependent on forest cover, with population declines perhaps slightly compounded by localised habitat degradation, and loss of suitable habitat due to invasive plants (B. Rahut in litt. 2020). An exact rate of decline is however difficult to determine.

Harpactes wardi is known from the eastern Himalaya in China, Bhutan, India (currently known from Arunachal Pradesh, northern West Bengal and adjoining Sikkim, where it is apparently local and rare [Rahut 2013, B. Rahut in litt. 2016]), Myanmar (formerly locally common in north, but there are no recent records and it is thought to be generally uncommon) and Viet Nam (previously common on Fansipan, north-west Tonkin, but there are no recent records despite intensive searching) (BirdLife International 2001, eBird 2023).

This species is found in the lower and middle storey, undergrowth and bamboo of tall broadleaved evergreen forest between 1,500 and 3,200 m, perhaps moving to lower elevations during the cold season, down to c.300 m in some areas (Collar 2020). It feeds on insects (such as moths, stick-insects, grasshoppers and bugs) and seeds (Collar 2020). 

The only identified threat to this species is habitat degradation caused by localised encroachment of agriculture and invasive plant species (especially Maling bamboo) (B. Rahut in litt. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions have been initiated for this species, although it occurs in a number of protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys throughout the range to determine current distribution and abundance, as well as evaluate population trends and rates of range contraction. Conduct ecological studies to identify habitat requirements and assess levels of tolerance of habitat disturbance. Protect areas of suitable habitat, and involve local stakeholders in the conservation of sites targeted for the protection of this species (M. L. Thakur in litt. 2016). Raise awareness of the species and its status.

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

Contributors
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Rahut, B., Taylor, J., Thakur, M. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ward's Trogon Harpactes wardi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wards-trogon-harpactes-wardi on 18/12/2024.
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 18/12/2024.