Justification The popularity of this finch as a cagebird has resulted in intense trapping activity, leading to rapid declines in population size.Unless stringent regulations are enforced, these declines are likely to continue, and as such it is considered Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Estrildidae

Species name author (Linnaeus, 1758)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Christidis and Boles (1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Synonyms Lonchura oryzivora Christidis and Boles (2008), Lonchura oryzivora SACC (2005), Lonchura oryzivora Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993)

Identification 14-15 cm. Contrastingly patterned, open-country finch. Pearl-grey, becoming pinkish on belly and whitish towards vent, with a black head and conspicuous white cheeks. Black rump and tail. Massive pink bill. Voice Song begins with bell-like single notes, accelerating into a continuous trilling and clucking interspersed with high-pitched and deeper notes, sometimes ending with a drawn-out whistle. Also short, hard tup, chirrups and trills.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

100,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Padda oryzivora is a native endemic of the islands of Java, Bali, and probably Madura, Indonesia, although it has been widely introduced, with feral populations now established in many parts of the world. It was formerly widespread and abundant in its native range, but numbers have crashed disastrously. It is now difficult to find; a recent survey looked at 64 former locations and located only 109 individuals at 17 sites¹. The majority of documented recent records derive from east Java and Bali. Feral populations (in Indonesia at least) have also apparently declined precipitously. Information from elsewhere is insufficient to estimate its status as a feral species, and all conservation efforts should focus on its original native range.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is usually a lowland species, chiefly found below 500 m but occurring locally up to 1,500 m. It has been recorded in many habitats, including towns and villages (where it was formerly one of the most common species), cultivated land (particularly rice-growing areas), grassland, open woodland, tree savanna, beach forest and even mangroves. It is gregarious, especially outside the breeding season. Post-breeding flocks appear to make substantial short-distance movements in response to local food supplies.

Threats Trapping for the domestic and international cage-bird trade has probably been occurring for centuries, peaking in the 1960s and 1970s, and is the main cause of the decline. Its flocking tendency, particularly at roost sites, renders it especially susceptible to mass trapping. Ironically, even feral populations, originally introduced through trade, have subsequently been decimated for the same reason. Historically, it was regarded as a rice crop-pest, and consequently persecuted. Hunting for local consumption, and possibly increased use of pesticides and competition with the ecologically similar Tree Sparrow Passer montanus, are additional threats.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. An embargo was placed on the capture quota for Java and Bali in 1995. The species occurs in only very few protected areas, with recent records from only four, Cikepuh Wildlife Reserve, Baluran and Meru Betiri National Parks on Java and Bali Barat National Park on Bali.

Conservation measures proposed Investigate the relative importance of current threats (excessive trade, persecution, pesticides, competition). Promote strict enforcement of trade restrictions in wild birds, and devise means of meeting market demands from captive breeding. Develop and initiate programmes to protect remaining populations.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. Muchtar and Nurwatha (2001).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors Nicholas Brickle (Wildlife Conservation Society)

IUCN Red List evaluators Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Nigel Collar (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Padda oryzivora. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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