Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is confined to a tiny area of montane forest in the Chin Hills, where it is inferred to have a small population. Slash-and-burn agriculture is reducing the extent of suitable habitat, and the species occurs at only a small number of Locations, thus qualifying it for Endangered.
Population justification
Density estimates of Asian montane congeners range from 2 individuals/km2 (Techachoochert et al. 2021) to 14 individuals/km2 (Evans et al. 1993). Assuming 100% occupancy of suitable habitat in its range, the population could number 460-3,220, equivalent to c.304-2,125 mature individuals. Given the size of the species (which is closer to that of Sitta oenochlamys, the derivation of the 14 individuals/km2 estimate), Sitta victoriae is inferred to number c.1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Habitat degradation and destruction are continuing within this species' small range, primarily from logging and shifting cultivation, suggesting that moderate to slow population declines are likely to be ongoing (Naing 2003, Global Forest Watch 2022). In the ten years to 2022, approximately 5% of this species' habitat was lost (according to Global Forest Watch [2022], based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), however much of this was from slash-and-burn activity in 2020 and 2021, which also has appeared to cause degradation not detected by Global Forest Watch (2022). It is unclear whether these rates will continue, but protection afforded by the Natmataung National Park appears to currently be weak.
Sitta victoriae is endemic to the southern Chin Hills of Myanmar.
The species exhibits a preference for oak Quercus semicarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum forest between 2,400-3,000 m (Naing 2003), feeding in mixed flocks, generally in the outer branches of large trees. It appears to be most common above 2,500 m.
Forest up to 2,000 m has been almost totally cleared on Mt Victoria and some habitat from 2,000-2,500 m has been heavily degraded already thanks to slash-and-burn agriculture, and there is evidence this is accelerating (per Global Forest Watch 2022). Although the scale and impact is unknown, birdlime has been noted as impacting this species (Pratt et al. 2012); given if its small population size, this may be contributing to population declines. As a montane species confined to a limited elevational range, climate change may be impacting it, or could in the future.
Conservation Actions Underway
Mt Victoria falls within Natmataung National Park, although no management activities have yet been initiated and satellite data indicate that this designation is not (yet) effective at ameliorating the threats faced by this species (Global Forest Watch 2022).
11.5 cm. Dainty nuthatch with long, narrow white supercilium and chestnut sides. Whitish lores and white head-sides. White underparts with contrasting orange-rufous on head-sides to flanks. Juvenile has fainter orange-rufous on head-sides to flanks. Similar spp. White-tailed Nuthatch S. himalayensis has buffish-chestnut breast and belly and lacks white supercilium. Voice Probable song is rapid 9-12 note crescendo whi-whi-whi-whi-whi-whi-whi-whi-whi. Calls with subdued pit notes and insistent pee pee pee.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Htin Hla, T. & Khwaja, N.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-browed-nuthatch-sitta-victoriae 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.