White-eyed River Martin (Eurochelidon sirintarae) | Text

White-eyed River Martin Eurochelidon sirintarae

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Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species has not been recorded with certainty since 1978, despite some surveys since 2000. It is likely to have declined as a result of habitat degradation and destruction at the (unknown) breeding areas and on wintering grounds, exacerbated by hunting and trapping at roost-sites. However, it might remain extant, and surveys are required in putative breeding areas, particularly in Myanmar. Any remaining population is probably tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

Population justification
Any remaining population is assumed to be tiny (numbering fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals), based on the lack of confirmed records at the only known site since 1978. Subsequent searches for this species at its known site, and postulated alternatives, have thus far all been unsuccessful.

Trend justification
The species declined at the type locality following its discovery, probably owing to extensive trapping of hirundines and habitat conversion. It is suspected to have continued to decline following the last confirmed report in 1978.

Distribution and population

Eurochelidon sirintarae is only known as a probable non-breeding visitor to one area of central Thailand (BirdLife International 2001). It was discovered in 1968, at or near Bueng Boraphet lake, near the town of Nakhon Sawan. It is known from 12 specimens collected amongst roosts of wintering hirundines, with rumours of many more sold in local markets, a possible field observation at Bueng Boraphet in 1978, and two unconfirmed reports, the last of which was in 1986 (Tobias 2000). Its population must be tiny and the lack of reliable records for over 35 years strongly suggests that it has undergone a decline. The species may be extant within South-East Asia, where survey effort has increased in recent years. Searches in the Sre Ambel area of Cambodia in March-April 2008 failed to find the species, and the habitat was degraded and apparently unsuitable (Seng Kim Hout 2008). Myanmar may be a more likely refuge of any remaining population.

Ecology

Its ecology is almost totally unknown. It has been recorded only between December and February roosting in reedbeds. By inference from behaviour of the related African River-martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina, it may breed on sand-bars of large rivers and feed over forested country. It has been speculated that, if it nests in Thailand, it would do so from February-April, after which monsoon rains raise water-levels above its postulated nesting habitat. However, there is some evidence that it might breed earlier than this, be partially nocturnal and perhaps not be associated with rivers at all but perhaps caves (Tobias 2000).

Threats

There has been a massive decline in the number of swallows roosting at Beung Boraphet as a result of intensive trapping for food and roost habitat destruction, primarily through burning of reeds for conversion to lotus cultivation. A number of threats could have contributed to its overall decline, including disturbance of riverine sand-bars, flooding upstream and the alteration of downstream hydrology caused by dams, extensive deforestation, and agricultural intensification. These threats are widespread across South-East Asia. Following its discovery, its decline may have been exacerbated by demand for birds as zoo exhibits or for private collections.

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. Beung Boraphet has been declared as a Non-Hunting Area. Several unsuccessful searches have been made for it at this site since its discovery. In 1969, a survey, based on village interviews, of the Nan Yom and Wang rivers in northern Thailand did not reveal any further information. Similarly, a brief survey in 1996 of rivers in northern Laos was unsuccessful, and in 2008 a BirdLife/RSPB funded project consisting of speedboat surveys and village interviews at the site of the 2004 claim in Cambodia also proved fruitless (Seng Kim Hout 2008). The area is frequently visited by birdwatchers who have failed to record the species in the 21st century (eBird 2021).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct a media campaign to trace potential sightings by local people to focus survey efforts. Conduct surveys for the species along all major rivers within its putative range (particularly northern Thailand and Myanmar, but also potentially southern China, Laos, and Cambodia) and search alternative habitats such as forests and limestone cave systems (Tobias 2000, BirdLife International 2001). If a population is rediscovered, immediately implement appropriate conservation measures.

Identification

15 cm. Large-headed martin. Stout yellow bill and white eye and eye-ring. Distinctive white rump-band, all-dark underparts and long, narrow streamers extending from central tail feathers. Juvenile has a browner head and underparts, paler throat and no tail-streamers. Hints At dawn and dusk, check reedbeds, rivers and perhaps cave systems.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Pilgrim, J., North, A., Taylor, J., Peet, N., Bird, J., Benstead, P., Mahood, S., Symes, A. & Tobias, J.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: White-eyed River Martin Eurochelidon sirintarae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-eyed-river-martin-eurochelidon-sirintarae on 24/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/01/2025.