Species

Justification
This species is known from only two areas and is assumed to have a small range and population. Although its habitat requirements are uncertain, there has been widespread habitat loss and degradation across its projected range and it is likely to be undergoing a continuing decline. These factors qualify it as Vulnerable.

Taxonomic source(s)
Eames, J. C.; Le Trong Trai.; Nguyen Cu.; Eve, R. 1999. New species of Barwing Actinodura (Passeriformes: Sylviinae: Timaliini) from the Western Highlands of Vietnam. Ibis 141: 1-10.

Taxonomic note
Described as new to science by Eames et al. (1999b).

Identification
24cm. Slender babbler with deep buff underparts, olive-brown mantle, darkish wings, grey head-sides and black crown. Outer greater coverts are buff with black bars. Chestnut tail strongly barred with black. Similar spp. Spectacled Barwing A. ramsayi has more conspicuous white eye-ring, more rufous wings and no black on crown. Voice Mournful, high-pitched, descending iee-iee-iee-iuu, sometimes accompanied by second individual giving high-pitched, steady ewh-ewh-ewh.

Distribution and population
Actinodura sodangorum is currently known from just seven associated localities in Kontum province in the western highlands of Vietnam, and two localities in south-east Laos—Dakchung Plateau and Xe Sap (BirdLife International 2001, T. Gray in litt. 2012). It is predicted to occur at other locations in the Xe Kong and Attapu provinces of south-east Laos and Quang Nam province in Vietnam. It appears to be locally distributed, but not uncommon within its known range.

Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population status of this species is very poorly known, and the impact of habitat degradation is not well understood, but it is suspected that a moderate decline may be occurring, owing to habitat loss within its range.

Ecology
A resident in Vietnam and Laos, it occurs primarily in evergreen forest and also adjacent secondary growth from c.1,000-2,400 m, including small forest fragments with banana groves amid shifting cultivation and scrub on steeply sloping hillsides. In Laos, it has been found in tall, damp grassland and scrub adjacent to evergreen forest and open pine woodland at 1,150 m, but not in evergreen forest and secondary growth nearby. All sightings have been of single birds or pairs, with one record of association with Black-headed Sibia Heterophasia melanoleuca.

Threats
Further information is required on its habitat utilisation before specific threats can be identified. Shifting cultivation may be the greatest potential threat. In Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Vietnam, 13% of evergreen forest was lost between 1976 and 1995. However, given that it also occurs in seral forest formations, tall grass and scrub, it is unclear if it is seriously threatened by deforestation. A significant potential threat is a proposed major road development that will improve access to its range in Vietnam.

Conservation actions underway
It occurs in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, the boundaries of which were established in 1999.

Conservation actions proposed
Conduct further surveys in Laos and Vietnam to determine its total range, distribution, approximate population size and habitat requirements. Undertake management, monitoring, training and education activities at Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve and support expansion of this protected area into Quang Nam province.

References
BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Allinson, T, Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Gray, T., Mahood, S.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Actinodura sodangorum. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013.

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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Additional resources for this species

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