Justification This species is currently known from just a single location, rendering it susceptible to human impacts. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable. However, given its tolerance of secondary habitats it is unlikely that its population is declining rapidly, and further survey effort may reveal that it is more widespread. If this is confirmed it will warrant downlisting to Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Timaliidae

Species name author Ripley, 1948

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 9 cm. Tiny, tailed wren-babbler with white chin and dark, streaked rusty-chestnut throat. Rest of underparts dark, scaled whitish, especially on flanks. Brown upperparts. Small black bill. Similar spp. Rufous-throated Wren-babbler S. caudatus has rufous-orange throat without dark streaks, less white on chin and greyer ear-coverts. Browner scaling on flanks and belly.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

5,200 km²

Yes

Range & population Spelaeornis badeigularis was known from one specimen, collected at Dreyi in the Mishmi Hills of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, India, in 1947. It was rediscovered in 2004 along Mayodia Pass in the Mishmi Hills, where it was recorded as common². This remains the only known location for the species, but it may occur more widely in eastern Arunchal Pradesh and other north-east Indian hills¹. The species appears to be tolerant of secondary habitats, and given the extent of forest within eastern Arunchal Pradesh it is unlikely to be declining rapidly¹.

Ecology: The type-specimen, an adult female, was collected in moist subtropical forest at 1,600 m in winter (January). It has since been recorded in dense undergrowth 1-3 m high in secondary forest, often with a broken canopy, within an altitudinal range between 1,800 and 2,400 m. This vegetation is typical of road-cuts and ravines. It is very active, typically remaining within 1 m of the ground.

Threats Timber extraction in Dibang and Lohit districts in Arunachal Pradesh, combined with forest loss and degradation as a result of shifting agriculture, are the most significant potential threats. In 1992, an estimated 61% of the state was still forested, but rates of habitat destruction are rapidly increasing in parallel with increases in the human population of Arunachal Pradesh, which doubled between 1970 and 1990. However, given that the species inhabits secondary growth in upland areas, deforestation is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on the population in the near future.

Conservation measures underway None are known. However, the Dibang, Mehao and Walong Wildlife Sanctuaries are close to the type-locality and may support undiscovered populations.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys for the species across Lohit and Dibang districts, Arunachal Pradesh, including Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, and also adjacent China and north-west Myanmar, to establish its distribution, status, habitat requirements and threats. Conduct studies to determine the extent of tolerance of secondary habitat, focussing in particular on whether populations persist in areas where primary habitat has been completely removed. Make recommendations for its conservation, based on survey findings, including the establishment of protected areas supporting populations of this and other threatened species, linked if possible to existing reserves. Promote conservation-awareness initiatives in hill and mountain communities, aimed at reducing shifting agriculture and promoting sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

References King and Donahue (2006). 1. J. Pilgrim in litt. (2006). 2. King and Donahue (2006)

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), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), V. Cavallaro, Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Geoffrey Davidson (Malaysian Nature Society), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors Jonathan C Eames (BirdLife International - Vietnam), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Spelaeornis badeigularis. 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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