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Journal of Threatened Taxa Bufldfng evfdence for conservafon globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Onlfne) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Prfnt)

Revfew ’s Natfonal Red Lfst of Bfrds

Carol Inskfpp, Hem Sagar Baral, Tfm Inskfpp, Ambfka Prasad Khafwada, Monsoon Pokharel Khafwada, Laxman Prasad Poudyal & Rajan Amfn

26 January 2017 | Vol. 9| No. 1 | Pp. 9700–9722 10.11609/jot. 2855 .9.1. 9700-9722

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Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Revfew Nepal’s Natfonal Red Lfst of Bfrds

Carol Inskfpp 1 , Hem Sagar Baral 2 , Tfm Inskfpp 3 , Ambfka Prasad Khafwada 4 , 5 6 7 ISSN 0974-7907 (Onlfne) Monsoon Pokharel Khafwada , Laxman Prasad Poudyal & Rajan Amfn ISSN 0974-7893 (Prfnt) 1 3 Hfgh Street, Stanhope, Bfshop Auckland Co., Durham DL132UP, UK 2 Zoologfcal Socfety of London - Nepal Ofce, PO Box 5867, Kathmandu Nepal and School of Envfronmental Scfences, OPEN ACCESS Charles Sturt Unfversfty, PO Box 789, Aldbury, NSW 2640, Australfa 3 1 Hernesfde, Welney, Wfsbech, Cambs PE149SB, UK 4 Nafonal Trust for Nature Conservafon (NTNC) - Bardfa Conservafon Program (BCP), Thakurdwara, Nepal 5 Alumnf Assocfafon for Conservafon and Development, Kathmandu, Nepal 6 Department of Nafonal Parks and Wfldlffe Conservafon, PO Box 860, Kathmandu, Nepal 7 Zoologfcal Socfety of London, Regents Park, London NW14RY, UK 1 [email protected] (correspondfng author), 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected], 4 [email protected], 5 [email protected], 6 [email protected], 7 [email protected]

Abstract: The mafn objecfves of the Nepal Nafonal Bfrd Red Data Book were to provfde comprehensfve and up-to-date accounts of all the bfrd specfes found fn Nepal, assess thefr status applyfng the IUCN Gufdelfnes at Regfonal Levels, fdenffy threats to all bfrd specfes and recommend the most pracfcal measures for thefr conservafon. It fs hoped that the Bfrd RDB wfll help Nepal achfeve the Convenfon on Bfologfcal Dfversfty target of prevenfng the exfncfon of known threatened specfes and fmprovfng thefr conservafon status. As populafon changes of Nepal’s bfrds have been studfed for only a few specfes, assessments of specfes’ nafonal status were mafnly made by assessfng changes fn dfstrfbufon. Specfes dfstrfbufon maps were produced for all of Nepal’s bfrd specfes except vagrants and compared to maps that were produced fn 1991 usfng the same mappfng system. Of the 878 bfrd specfes recorded, 168 specfes (19%) were assessed as nafonally threatened. These comprfse 68 (40%) Crffcally Endangered specfes, 38 (23%) Endangered specfes and 62 (37%) Vulnerable specfes. A total of 62 specfes was consfdered Near Threatened and 22 specfes Data Defcfent. Over 55% of the threatened bfrds are lowland grassland specfalfsts, 25% are wetland bfrds and 24% tropfcal and sub-tropfcal broadleaved bfrds. Larger bfrds appear to be more threatened than smaller bfrds wfth 98 (25%) non-passerfne specfes threatened and 67 (14%) passerfne specfes. Habftat loss, degradafon and fragmentafon are the most fmportant threats. Other threats fnclude chemfcal pofsonfng, over- exploftafon, clfmate change, hydropower, fnvasfve specfes, fntensffcafon of agrfculture, dfsturbance, and lfmfted conservafon measures and research. Measures to address these threats are descrfbed. It was also concluded that re-assessments of the status of certafn bfrd groups carrfed out every fve years and the sefng up of a nafonal onlfne system for storfng and reporfng bfrd sfghfngs would be useful.

Keywords: Bfodfversfty, bfrds, conservafon, Nepal, Red Lfst of Threatened Specfes .

DOI : htp://dof.org/10.11609/jot.2855.9.1. 9700 -9722 | ZooBank: urn:lsfd:zoobank.org:pub:F3D6461D-F4A3-422A-A8CD-8B42730FE630

Edftors: P.O. Nameer & Sanjay Molur, Indfa. Date of publfcafon: 26 January 2017 (onlfne & prfnt)

Manuscrfpt detafls: Ms # 2855 | Recefved 19 June 2016 | Ffnal recefved 01 January 2017 | Ffnally accepted 07 January 2017

Cftafon: Inskfpp, C., H.S. Baral, T. Inskfpp, A.P. Khafwada, M.P. Khafwada, L. Poudyal & R. Amfn (2017). Nepal’s Nafonal Red Lfst of Bfrds . Journal of Threatened Taxa 9(1): 9700 –9722 ; htp://dof.org/10.11609/jot.2855.9.1. 9700 -9722

Copyrfght: © Inskfpp et al. 2017 . Creafve Commons Atrfbufon 4.0 Internafonal Lfcense. JoTT allows unrestrfcted use of thfs arfcle fn any medfum, reproducfon and dfstrfbufon by provfdfng adequate credft to the authors and the source of publfcafon.

Fundfng: Zoologfcal Socfety of London.

Compefng fnterests: The authors declare no compefng fnterests.

For Author Contrfbufon, Author Detafls and Acknowledgements: see end of thfs arfcle.

LOGOs

9700 Nepal’s National Red List of Inskipp et al.

INTRODUCTION al. 2016), which was completed in February 2016. This Red List is the first comprehensive status assessment of The IUCN Red List of Threatened is all Nepal’s species using the IUCN categories and internationally recognised as the world’s most criteria. The results from this assessment are presented authoritative and objective inventory for classifying here. species’ extinction risk at the global scale. It is however not always possible to integrate this information into conservation planning and priority-setting at MATERIALS AND METHODS national level, where most conservation policies are implemented. Based on the same robust and objective Initially a desk study was undertaken of published process, National Red Lists can provide information and unpublished literature to compile a comprehensive about the rate of change of a nation’s biodiversity over bibliography of over 2000 references (Inskipp 2015a). time, assess the extinction risk of native species and help Using this bibliography, a Nepal bird species reference in the development of effective conservation policies document, where each species was annotated with and action plans. The approach can provide an excellent relevant references, was compiled (Inskipp 2015b). This basis for measuring a country’s progress towards document was used as the reference source to draft achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) detailed species accounts for all species except vagrants, target “By 2020 the extinction of known threatened and to assess the threat status of all species. species has been prevented and their conservation Population changes of Nepal’s birds have been status, particularly of those most in decline, has been studied for only a few species, all of which have improved and sustained”. been assessed as globally threatened by BirdLife Nepal harbours an extraordinary variety of International. Assessments of species’ national status landscapes, , wildlife and cultures. Although it were therefore mainly made by assessing changes in occupies only 0.1% of the world’s total land mass, its distribution. Species distribution maps were produced diverse physiographic features range from the Arctic for all of Nepal’s bird species except vagrants. The same high Himalayan peaks (the highest terrestrial ecosystem mapping system was used as in Inskipp & Inskipp (1991), in the world) to the tropical lowlands of the Terai. Also which mapped all bird species recorded up to 1990. The important is Nepal’s geographical position in the central country was divided into squares (based on geographical Himalaya, in a region of overlap between the Palearctic coordinates for ease of reference), each one being half a realm to the north and the Oriental (Indomalayan) realm degree square. Where species were recorded in squares to the south. In a relatively small area of 147,181km2 pre-1990 they were marked with a closed circle and Nepal is home to 3.2% and 1.1% of the world’s known where they were recorded post-1990 they were marked flora and fauna, respectively (MoFSc 2014), including with a square. Where species were recorded both pre- around 8% of the world’s known bird species (Inskipp and post-1990, the square and circle were both included et al. 2016). in the half degree square. Assessments were then made A large proportion of over 23% of the country’s of the status of most species by comparing distribution landmass is designated as protected areas, with 10 in pre-1990 and post-1990. national parks, three wildlife reserves, one hunting During the assessment process two national Red- reserve and six conservation areas (Fig. 1). Between 2002 List workshops were held in Chitwan National Park, and 2013 eight areas were declared protected in October 2012 (three days) and October 2015 (five (1,336.85km2); and eight additional areas (6,700.96km2) days). These workshops were each attended by over have been proposed by the Government of Nepal 60 bird experts who provided records and comments on because of their high biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the species’ assessments. These were the largest and corridors (DoF 2015). In addition, 36 Important Bird and longest-running gatherings primarily of Nepalese and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) have been identified (Baral & with an interest on birds at different levels. Following Inskipp 2005; BCN & DNPWC in prep.). the workshops, draft species accounts were posted on Himalayan Nature’s website requesting observers to Nepal bird Red Data Book help update the accounts by sending us their records In April 2011 a team consisting mainly of Nepalis, and by providing comments. and also three British scientists embarked on a project to compile the Nepal Bird Red Data Book (Inskipp et

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9701 Nepal’s National Red Inskipp et al.

Figure 1. Protected areas of Nepal and buffer zones

RESULTS Since 1990, a higher level of coverage of the country was achieved than the period up to 1990, which was The species nomenclature used in the Nepal Bird to be expected considering the much larger number of Red Data Book follows names adopted by IUCN and observers, mainly Nepalis. The Terai and Kathmandu BirdLife International in 2011, the year in which this Valley are much better recorded than the mountains as project was initiated. Following this nomenclature, a most recorders live there. With the exception of two total of 878 bird species has been recorded in Nepal. mountain conservation areas designated very recently The total does not include the six species that have been (Api Nampa and Gaurishankar Conservation Areas) split and are recognised in Grimmett et al. (2016). There and Manaslu Conservation Area (designated in 1998), are 74 vagrants (i.e., species which have been recorded mountain protected areas (national parks, Dhorpatan 10 times or less). Hunting Reserve and conservation areas) are much BirdLife International (2015) has assessed 39 of better recorded than areas outside. This is especially Nepal’s bird species as globally threatened, including true of high altitude areas. two vagrants (Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Of the 878 bird species recorded in Nepal, 168 and Indian Vulture Gyps indicus) and three Regionally species (19%) were assessed as nationally threatened. Extirpated species (Appendix 1). Thirty-one species The nationally threatened species comprise 68 (40%) have been assessed as globally Near Threatened, Critically Endangered species, 38 (23%) Endangered including three vagrants (Eurasian Oystercatcher species and 62 (37%) Vulnerable species (Appendix 1). Haematopus ostralegus, Red Knot Calidris canutus and Over 55% of the threatened birds are lowland grassland Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea; Appendix 1). Spiny specialist birds, 25% are wetland birds and 24% tropical Babbler nipalensis is Nepal’s only endemic and sub-tropical broadleaved forest birds. bird species. It is fairly widespread and found from A total of 22 species (2.5% of the total) including eastern to western Nepal (Grimmett et al. 2016; Inskipp one globally threatened species were considered Data et al. 2016). Deficient (Appendix 2).

9702 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s Nafonal Red Lfst of Bfrds Inskfpp e t al.

A total of 62 specfes was assessed as Near Threatened (Appendfx 1). Efght specfes (0.05% of the total threatened) are Regfonally Exfrpated; none of these has been recorded fn Nepal sfnce the 19 th century (Appendfx 1). However, Red-faced Lfocfchla Lfocfchla phoenfcea was re-dfscovered fn the Mahabharat range, Chftwan Dfstrfct, sfnce the publfcafon of thfs Red Lfst data book (Mahato 2016; Baral et al. fn prep.). Red- faced Lfocfchla fs now consfdered Crffcally Endangered fn Nepal. Ten specfes are very rare passage mfgrants and somefmes over-wfnter, but thefr recorded patern Ffgure 2. The most threatened non-passerfne orders: Cfconffformes (storks), Falconfformes (bfrds of prey), Strfgfformes (owls), of occurrence and numbers of fndfvfduals have not Charadrffformes (waders, gulls, terns, Indfan Skfmmer), Gallfformes sfgnffcantly changed sfnce 1990. None of these specfes fs (pheasants and partrfdges) globally or regfonally threatened and Nepal seems to be on the frfnge of thefr mfgratory routes so they have been assessed as Least Concern. These specfes are: Common specfes has been sfgnffcantly extended to the west, Goldeneye Bucephala clangula , Common Shelduck for example Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallfchff, a west Tadorna tadorna , Black-wfnged Sflt Hfmantopus Hfmalayan specfes, whfch has been assessed as globally hfmantopus , Pfed Avocet Recurvfrostra avoseta , Ruf Vulnerable (BfrdLffe Internafonal 2015) and nafonally Phflomachus pugnax , Jack Snfpe Lymnocryptes mfnfmus , Endangered. Its nafonal dfstrfbufon has been extended Long-bflled Plover Charadrfus placfdus, Whfte-wfnged west to the Indfan border and north to Humla Dfstrfct Tern Chlfdonfas leucopterus, Merlfn Falco columbarfus near the Tfbetan border (Ffg. 3). and Rufous-tafled Shrfke Lanfus fsabellfnus . The known global dfstrfbufon of some specfes Larger bfrds appear to be more threatened than has also been sfgnffcantly extended to the west, e.g., smaller bfrds wfth 98 (25%) non-passerfne specfes Darjeelfng Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensfs , a threatened (Ffg. 2) and 67 (14%) passerfne specfes. fafrly common resfdent (assessed as Least Concern Among the passerfnes, the babblers (36%) and warblers globally and nafonally) . Its dfstrfbufon east of the Kalf (17%) are the most threatened. Gandakf valley has not changed sfgnffcantly pre-1990 The nafonal dfstrfbufonal range of a number of compared to post-1990 (Ffg. 4).

Ffgure 3. Dfstrfbufon of Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallfchff pre- and post-1990

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9703 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Figure 4. Distribution of Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis pre- and post-1990

Despite improved coverage, the distributions of threatened species are: Swamp Francolin Francolinus some species, especially birds of prey, were found gularis, Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, to have reduced in east-central and eastern Nepal Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, Jerdon’s Babbler compared to western Nepal. One example is Red- Chrysomma altirostre, Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus (Fig. 5). This vulture longirostris, Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla is considered Critically Endangered globally (BirdLife and Yellow Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus. For International 2015) and Endangered nationally. As with example, Yellow Weaver (globally Vulnerable, nationally all vulture species in Nepal there has been an especially Critically Endangered) has been recorded regularly and increased survey effort. It is still resident and widespread breeds in Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in the far west from the mid-west to the far west. The species is, and has been recorded twice in Koshi Tappu Wildlife however, now virtually absent from most areas east of Reserve in the far-east (Fig. 10). Another example is Kathmandu. Declines of several other vulture species Grey-crowned Prinia (globally Vulnerable, nationally have also been greater in east-central and eastern Nepal Critically Endangered), which since 1990 has only been than in the west, for example White-rumped Vulture recorded in Bardia and Chitwan National Parks and Gyps bengalensis (globally and nationally Critically Parsa Wildlife Reserve, with the exception of one record Endangered) (Fig. 6). from Lendada, Makwanpur district (Fig. 11). Several other birds of prey show similar changes Rufous-vented Prinia Prinia burnesii (nationally in distribution post-1990 compared to pre-1990, with Critically Endangered and globally Near Threatened) greater coverage resulting in new localities in the was discovered in Nepal in April 2005 and has been west but failing to confirm some pre-1990 localities identified as a nationally endemic subspeciesnepalicola. in east-central Nepal and the east, for example Red- It is restricted to an isolated population in riverine necked Falcon Falco chicquera (nationally Endangered) grasslands in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (Baral et al. and Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastata (globally and 2007, 2008). nationally Vulnerable), see Figs. 7 and 8. In recent years a significant number of species have A total of 30 species is now only found or very been found at higher altitudes than previously. This largely found in protected areas and/or in buffer zones. can be partly explained by improved coverage but also Over half of these (17 species) are lowland grassland probably partly as a response to climate change. Several specialists including 12 nationally threatened and seven species from lower altitudes which have previously globally threatened species, highlighting the importance not been recorded in the Kathmandu Valley, or only of protected areas for these species. The globally recorded very rarely, are now resident or are regular

9704 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

© Sagar Giri

© Sagar Giri

Figures 5 & 6. Distribution of Red-headed VultureSarcogyps calvus and White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis pre- and post-1990

summer visitors, for example Pale Blue Flycatcher DISCUSSION unicolor and Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis. House Crow Corvus splendens was recorded moving Threats to Nepal’s birds up by an altitude of 136m annually on average from Whilst Nepal is rich in biodiversity, it is one of the 2,000m to 4,200m between 1999 and 2011 by Acharya least developed countries in the world, ranked in the low & Ghimirey (2013), who suggested that climate change human development category, positioned at 145 out of was a possible reason for this upward movement. 187 countries and territories in 2014 (UNDP 2014). The country’s rapidly increasing human population is putting huge pressure on natural resources and wildlife and with shortages of water and electricity; even meeting basic human needs is a struggle. The main threats to

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© Sagar Giri

Figures 7 & 8. Distribution of Red-necked FalconFalco chicquera and Indian Spotted EagleAquila hastata pre- and post-1990

Nepal’s birds include: lowland grassland bird specialists, such as Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre (globally Vulnerable, loss, degradation and fragmentation nationally Critically Endangered) and Eastern Grass Owl Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are Tyto longimembris (nationally Critically Endangered). the most important threats to Nepal’s birds. These Outside protected areas there are no significant include loss of forests, wetlands and grasslands due to remaining grassland areas that are capable of supporting the encroachment of settlements and especially due to lowland grassland specialists, as most of these grasslands agriculture and unsustainable resource extraction, such are heavily grazed by domestic livestock, harvested for as logging for local and commercial use and sand and thatch or panelling walls, and subject to overwhelming gravel mining of river beds, as well as natural processes. levels of human disturbance (Baral 2001). Fragmentation of habitats is particularly affecting Forests and grasslands are being degraded by

9706 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

© Sagar Giri

Figures 9 & 10. Distribution of Yellow Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus and Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla pre- and post-1990 overgrazing and excessive burning, and removal of which alter species composition (Baral 2001). Over- undergrowth to provide fodder for livestock also grazing by domestic livestock, fodder collection and threatens forests. One quarter of Nepal’s forest area is human disturbance are also degrading grasslands (Baral heavily degraded (World Bank 2008). The 2015 / 2000). Nepal dispute led to a blockade-like situation, which Currently, grassland management measures are resulted in a dire fuel crisis. This caused widespread carried out specifically for mammals and not for forest losses as people were forced to turn to wood for birds. For example, in Chitwan National Park’s new fuel. management plan, cutting and/or controlled burning are Lowland grasslands in protected areas are suffering planned to remove dry, coarse and unpalatable grasses from inappropriate grassland management including and produce a new flush which will be highly palatable intensive annual cutting and burning, and also ploughing, and nutritious for some mammals. However, these

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9707 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al. practices are reducing the area of suitable grassland Hornbill Buceros bicornis (globally Near-threatened, habitat for some globally threatened species such as nationally Endangered) is much valued (Fleming etal. Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, which has 1984). Eggs are stolen from species such as Sarus Crane declined in the park. Grus antigone (globally and nationally Vulnerable). Nepal is often a safe market for illegal bird traders. Chemical poisoning Several nationally threatened bird species, including Water pollution from households and industrial Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii and owls, have been discharges and agricultural run-off is seriously degrading found to be traded (Thapa & Thakuri 2009). lowland wetlands. Diffuse pollution from fertilisers has Overfishing, which has led to a marked fish decline led to over-enrichment in many wetlands in the lowlands. in wetlands especially in the Terai, is a major threat to The impacts of diffuse pollution from pesticides in all large fish-eating birds including Pallas’s Fish Eagle agricultural run-off on wildlife are poorly understood in Haliaeetus leucoryphus and Indian Skimmer Rynchops Nepal, but are likely to be highly significant and could be albicollis (both globally Vulnerable and nationally a major factor in the decline of large wading birds. Critically Endangered). In Europe, use of some pesticides has been shown The gathering of NTFPs (non-timber forest to cause widespread declines of numerous bird species, products), including the highly valuable yarsagumba many of which were previously common, including birds Ophiocordyceps sinensis and MAPs (medicinal and of prey and (Tucker & Heath 1994). While the aromatic plants), by influxes of large numbers of people effect of pesticides on wildlife and the environment in annually, is affecting many high-altitude protected Nepal is poorly known, the over-use of pesticides in the areas. This is leading to high levels of disturbance to country and evidence of failing to adhere to government birds, including poaching (especially of pheasants), and regulations for pesticide use has been well documented forest losses and degradation due to fuelwood collection (e.g., Palikhe 2005; Nepal Forum for Justice 2006; Paudel (BCN and DNPWC in prep.). 2009a,b). Pesticides may be a major factor in the widespread Climate change decline of birds of prey, although this has still to be The impacts of climate change on Nepal’s birds are proven. poorly understood. Some species will be able to migrate The major cause of decline of White-rumped Vulture through fragmented landscapes whilst others may not and other Gyps vultures has been proved to be the use be able to do so. Some of Nepal’s threatened birds are of the anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac, in livestock largely confined to protected areas, notably grassland ( et al. 2004; Shultz et al. 2004; Cuthbert et al. 2006). birds. As the climate changes, habitats, particularly The sharp decline in the Red-headed Vulture population floodplain grasslands, in these protected areas may in India has also been attributed to diclofenac use eventually become no longer suitable for these birds. (Cuthbert et al. 2006). Poisoning of carcasses may be a Furthermore, as natural habitats outside protected areas contributory factor in vulture declines. have been converted to agriculture or development, the grassland birds will have no suitable habitat to colonise Over-exploitation (BCN & DNPWC 2011). Hunting and trapping are contributing to the decline The gradual drying-out of lowland habitats resulting of many bird species identified as nationally threatened from climate change has been identified as a long- and in some areas these activities are increasing as term threat to successful breeding of Sarus Crane Grus traditional values wane. (pheasants, antigone (Gopi Sundar pers. comm. to Carol Inskipp, partridges and francolins) are popular targets for December 2015). Many forest birds, including a high hunters and trappers in some parts of Nepal, resulting in proportion of threatened forest species, depend on much reduced populations, even in protected areas, for moist forests and are likely to lose their habitat if the example Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra (globally and climate becomes drier (BCN & DNPWC 2011). nationally Vulnerable) in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (Inskipp et al. 2008). The hunting of owls for meat Hydropower has been reported; as they are cheaper than chicken Nepal’s high annual precipitation and dense river they are preferred by many people (Paudel 2016). networks provide high potential for hydroelectricity Some birds are hunted for traditional medicine. For resulting in a significant increase in hydropower plants example, the oil from the casque and the beak of Great in recent years. Dams can inundate important habitats,

9708 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al. lead to associated development, displace people into of funding and support in already poorly resourced new sensitive habitats, and can alter local microclimates. government departments. Since the early years of its establishment, the Department of National Parks Intensification of agriculture and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) has been under- In recent years, agriculture has been intensified resourced in terms of finances and trained manpower, in many areas, especially in the Terai. This has led to so crippling its effective conservation work in the a loss of uncultivated field corners and edges, which country. often supported bushes and herbaceous vegetation. Despite the many conservation awareness Trees have been lost from field boundaries. All these programmes on bird conservation that have taken place microhabitats form valuable feeding and breeding sites in the country, especially in recent years, there is still an for birds and, as a result, many farmland birds have urgent need for the continuation of such programmes undergone significant declines (Inskipp & Baral 2011). with innovative ideas to put across the conservation message and more widely throughout Nepal. Invasive species Bird research and conservation are heavily biased in The spread of invasive plant species is making Nepal because overseas conservation agencies, which it very difficult for some bird species to feed. One have very largely funded this work, are interested rapidly spreading invasive is Mikania micrantha, which mainly in the globally prioritised list of species, i.e., is blanketing Terai floodplain vegetation (Murphy et globally threatened and Near-threatened species, while al. 2013). Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes rapidly species that are only nationally threatened have been covers water surfaces and creates feeding problems for very largely unstudied (Baral et al. 2012). surface-feeding waterbirds (Dahal 2007). While a successful Vulture Conservation Programme has been implemented, including a second Vulture Disturbance Conservation Action Programme (DNPWC 2015), Disturbance is a widespread threat to bird conservation strategies are lacking for most threatened populations, especially during the breeding season, for bird species and conservation priorities have been given example exploitation of river beds for gravel is a serious to mammals, rather than birds. threat to riverine breeding birds, including Black-bellied The main threats to Nepal’s threatened bird species are Tern Sterna acuticauda(globally Endangered, nationally summarised in Appendices 3 and 4. Critically Endangered).

Persecution CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS Some bird species, notably owls, are persecuted because of negative social and cultural beliefs, while Minimising habitat losses, degradation and some young people kill birds, often using catapults fragmentation purely for entertainment (Acharya & Ghimirey 2009). There is enormous potential for improved Persecution by humans may be a contributory factor in management of existing low density and depleted vulture declines. forests. The 2014–2020 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan includes a target of a significant Limited conservation measures and lack of bird reduction (by at least 75% of the current rate) inthe research loss and degradation of forest. Another valuable target Only nine bird species are legally protected in is the promotion of alternative energy sources (such Nepal and are covered by the National Parks and as biogas, solar energy, and hydropower) and fuel- Wildlife Conservation Act (1973): White Stork Ciconia efficient technologies (such as bio-briquettes, improved ciconia, Black Stork Ciconia nigra, Himalayan Monal stoves) to reduce demand of firewood (MoFSC 2014). Lophophorus impejanus, Satyr Tragopan Tragopan Other important targets include the development satyra, Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii, Bengal Florican and implementation of plans to reduce occurrence Houbaropsis bengalensis, Lesser Florican Sypheotides of forest fires and overgrazing; reclaiming at least indicus, Sarus Crane Grus antigone, and Great Hornbill 10,000ha of encroached forestland through effective Buceros bicornis. implementation of the Forest Encroachment Control Nepal’s national policy and research priorities are Strategy (2012) and the establishment of protected ambitious, but targets have not been met due to lack forests where necessary and feasible (MoFSC 2014).

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The provision of more resources to park and forestry MoFSC (2014) states that plans should be developed field staff should help improve their monitoring of forest and implemented to control industrial pollution in five exploitation. major rivers and five major wetlands, by 2020. MoFSC Degraded forests with on-going people pressure (2014) also includes a target to control encroachment can be handed over to the community for management and eutrophication in at least ten major wetlands and through the District Forest Office. Under community restore at least five major degraded wetlands by 2020. management, protection of most forest areas has been Strict enforcement of Nepal’s already existing extremely successful and regeneration of lost cover has pesticide regulations would greatly reduce the threat been phenomenal. Communities throughout Nepal from pesticides to people, wildlife and the environment. have demonstrated that they can effectively protect The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach was and sustainably use the forests under their care. The emphasised in Nepal’s National Agricultural Perspective community forestry programs should therefore be Plan to try and reduce pesticide use. An increase in extended and strengthened (MoFSC 2014). MoFSC training of IPM use is badly needed. The use of effective (2014) also aims to improve conservation of biodiversity microorganisms (EM) technology should be encouraged in community-managed forests. Another target is by running training camps for farmers in the buffer to promote mixed forests of native plant species in zones of lowland protected areas, modeled on those community managed forests (MoFSC 2014). run by the Bird Education Society in Chitwan National Effective control of NTFP and MAP harvesting would Park’s buffer zone. Using EM technology, a combination reduce pressure on forests, which annually results from of various beneficial organisms is formed, that is helpful the influx of huge numbers of people to harvest these for plant growth, acting as a fertiliser. The combination products. This will also reduce disturbance to bird and of organisms can also act as a bio-pesticide. other wildlife, especially during the breeding season Effective grassland management is vital for MoFSC (2014). biodiversity conservation; grassland birds are often The effective implementation of Nepal’s National highly sensitive to changes in habitat quality and the Wetland Policy is urgently needed. This policy aims to microenvironment around them (Baral 2001). People put people at the centre of conservation and natural are allowed into Terai protected areas for three to ten resource management. While all communities benefit days annually to cut grass, at which time the grasslands from wetlands, about 17% of the populations from are also burned; in the case of Chitwan this involves an 21 ethnic communities have traditionally based their influx of many thousands of people (Peet et al. 1999). livelihoods on wetlands. These are some of the most Management should therefore aim to maintain areas of marginalised and poorest people in Nepal. intact grassland that are not cut or burnt, on a rotational The participation by user groups and community- basis, whilst allowing other areas to be harvested by local based organisations in collaborative management of people (Peet 1997; Peet et al. 1999). Saplings of various wetland resources, as advocated in Nepal’s Wetland trees and bushes should be removed from grasslands to Policy, will be key to achieving sustainable resource prevent succession to shrubland and eventually forest. use. These measures should help to prevent over- Ploughing has been found to be counterproductive and exploitation including over-fishing, the use of poisons to should be avoided (Peet 1997; Baral 2001). Burning is kill fish, over-grazing and excessive grass cutting along an important management tool for the conservation watercourses. of threatened grassland taxa and should be carried Control of sand and gravel mining of rivers is out on a rotational basis before or after the birds’ urgently needed. MoFSC (2014) includes a target for breeding season (Inskipp & Inskipp 1983; Baral 2001;). the development and implementation, by 2015, of an In addition to better management of existing grasslands, effective mechanism to control mining of gravel and sand the expansion and conservation of new grassland from rivers and streams. Areas suitable for sand mining areas are recommended (Baral 2001; Poudyal et al. and quarrying should be identified and designated and 2008a,b) and degraded grasslands should be restored. mining banned in the protected areas and Important Livestock grazing should be stopped in protected areas Bird and Biodiversity Areas. by improving law enforcement. Livestock management Reducing pollution of wetlands is very important, practices should be improved, for example by including especially in the rivers of Chitwan National Park which stall-feeding. Grazing pastures outside protected areas are particularly affected. Enforcement of the Industrial should be identified, promoted and managed. Policy (2011) should help reduce water pollution. More community-managed grasslands should be

9710 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al. set up in lowland Nepal (Baral 2001). This is already protected areas. Influential local people in communities, happening in Chitwan National Park buffer zone in such as religious and political leaders, and witch doctors Nawalparasi District, where a community-managed should also be targeted to raise conservation awareness. grassland is working along similar lines to that of It is recommended that programmes are modelled on community forestry and fulfills the needs of local village the successful owl conservation awareness programmes people for cattle fodder and thatch grasses (Dhan that have been carried out by Friends of Nature in Bahadur Chaudhary pers. comm.). communities and schools. Corridors to connect fragmented habitats such In protected areas, laws should be enforced by as isolated grasslands and forest patches should be monitoring through river patrols, especially during restored, and land use planning and policies should be the breeding season and in high priority areas. The improved to ensure these areas are conserved. Urgent currently used highly destructive fishing methods of action is needed to control the spread of invasive alien poisoning, electrocution and gill-nets should be stopped. plant species, especially Mikania micrantha and Water All licences to fish inside protected areas should be Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. MoFSC (2014) includes revoked. Outside protected areas fishing should be a target for nation-wide survey and research on the reduced or banned during the breeding seasons in control of at least five most problematic invasive alien wetlands. Alternative livelihoods for the fishing (local) plant species by 2020, although no specific species has communities should be promoted. been suggested. Nesting colonies, e.g., vultures and storks, should be identified and protected through Improvements in bird conservation measures and in community awareness. The erection of nest boxes, e.g., bird research for owls, should be encouraged. A code of good conduct The current list of birds protected by law in the should be established for photographers, birders and country is in urgent need of revision and expansion to researchers. cover many more bird species than the nine species The planting of fruiting trees, including fig trees, and currently protected. In 2010, a recommendation was flowering trees should be carried out especially in urban put forward to revise this list after rigorous consultation areas and along highways. In towns and cities, people and discussion (Shah & Baral 2010). The protected should be encouraged to put up nest boxes and bird areas’ system should be extended to cover unprotected feeders, and put out water for birds in their gardens. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). Environmental Impact Assessments should be ensured Unprotected forested IBAs, such as Reshunga IBA could with compulsory input from bird and biodiversity be designated Protected Forests. Other unprotected experts on development projects, including hydropower IBAs, such as the Ghodaghodi Tal area, a Ramsar site dams and infrastructure such as road construction, that is under high pressure from local communities, power lines and bridges. The long-term impacts of large could be designated as Wildlife Reserves. scale development projects, such as hydropower dams Bird conservation projects should support livelihood and the proposed east-west railway network and postal development of local communities to ensure their road, on birds and other wildlife need to be studied. active participation. More conservation engagement Some of these projects would be highly detrimental to programmes are urgently needed. Capacity building wildlife, including birds. Therefore, before embarking of local communities including active participation on any large infrastructure projects, consultation should of local people in bird monitoring is important. The be made with bird and biodiversity experts. programmes should also aim to improve understanding of the global and national importance of Nepal’s Reducing over-exploitation IBAs amongst government and civil society. Bird The current legislation to protect birds from hunting conservation awareness activities should be targeted and trapping should be enforced and strengthened. at schools, colleges, community groups, farmers, and There should be a strict ban on catapult selling and army staff in protected areas using electronic and print illegal firearms should be confiscated. Studies on media, radio and TV programmes, street dramas, talks factors driving hunting should also be carried out. and presentations, bird fair / festivals, media campaigns, More conservation awareness programmes should be celebrities, sports icons and documentaries. It is implemented, especially in buffer zones of protected important that conservation messages are relevant and areas. These should be targeted at local communities effective. Nature clubs should be established in schools and schools, also in the army camps stationed in and within communities and bird watching activities

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9711 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al. carried out regularly for school children. Awards and campaigns (Chitwan, Nepal). Submitted to WWF Nepal, Bird recognition of local achievements should be established. Conservation Nepal & Friends of Nature. Unpublished. Acharya, R. & Y. Ghimirey (2013). House Crow Corvus splendens A National Bird Day could be introduced; each district heading upwards in Nepal: possible climate change impact could adopt its own bird species to celebrate. influencing its movement. Ibisbill 2: 180–183. Baral, H.S. (2000). Notes on distribution of some grassland birds in Conservation strategies for threatened groups of Nepal with reference to Sukla Phanta. Danphe 9(3): 6–7. bird species based on appropriate baseline data should Baral, H.S. (2001). Community structure and habitat associations be developed and implemented. Birds could be used as of lowland grassland birds in Nepal. PhD Thesis, University of Amsterdam. indicator species in forest management programmes. Baral, H.S., S. Basnet, B. Chaudhary, H. Chaudhary, T. Giri & G.C. Som Key bird research projects need to be identified, (2007). A new of Rufous-vented Prinia Prinia burnesii especially on nationally threatened species and data (Aves: Cisticolidae) from Nepal. Danphe 16(4): 1–10. Baral, H.S., S. Basnet, B. Chaudhary, H. Chaudhary, T. Giri & G.C. Som deficient species. Collaboration between universities (2008). A substitute name for Prinia burnesii nipalensis. Danphe and NGOs needs to be developed. An annual funding 17(1): 1. programme should be established with a committee set Baral, H.S. & C. Inskipp (2005). Important Bird Areas in Nepal: Key Sites for Conservation. Bird Conservation Nepal and BirdLife up to review proposals and monitor research projects, International, Kathmandu and Cambridge. so enabling bird research capacity to be developed. Baral, H.S., U.R. Regmi, L.P. Poudyal & R. Acharya (2012). Status Protected area staff and the Nepal Army working in and conservation of birds in Nepal, pp. 71–100. In: Acharya, K. P. & M. Dhakal (eds.). Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal: A Success protected areas should be trained in the importance of Story. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, bird conservation. The DNPWC urgently needs adequate Kathmandu. Baral, H.S., R. Tamang, T. Giri, B. Chaudhary, B. Bidari, B. Mahato, funding for protection and management. Protected F. Chaudhary, R.G. Chaudhary, S. Tamang & R. Karmacharya (In areas’ staff should also be provided with adequate prep.). Rediscovery of Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea resources including field equipment such as binoculars (Gould, 1837) in Nepal and notable bird records of Gadhi, Chitwan District, central Nepal. and field guides and training so they can carry out Bird Conservation Nepal & Department of National Parks and regular bird population monitoring in protected areas. Wildlife Conservation (2011). The State of Nepal’s Birds 2010.Bird The Government should establish strong networking Conservation Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, 96pp. Available online 19 May 2016; between national and local NGOs and agencies; annual http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sites/asian_ibas/index. national meetings should be held with representatives html from relevant organizations ensuring implementation Bird Conservation Nepal & Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (in prep.). Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of and enforcement of existing laws for the protection of Nepal. Bird Conservation Nepal and Department of National Parks birds. and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu. Re-assessments of the status of certain bird groups, BirdLife International (2015).BirdLife International website. Available online 19 May 2016; http://www.birdlife.org for example game birds, birds of prey, wetland birds Cuthbert, R., R.E. Green, S. Ranade, S. Saravanan, D.J. Pain, V. and lowland grassland birds, carried out every five Prakash & A.A. Cunningham (2006). Rapid population declines of years would be useful. There is an urgent need for an Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in India. Conservation 9(3): 249–254; online system for storing and reporting bird sightings, as http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00041.x currently there is no system in place. As there are several Dahal, B.R. (2007). Effects of Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes on aquatic birds at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, south-east Nepal. online databases already operating, it would be sensible Danphe 16(1): 64–65. to use an existing system rather than developing a new Department of Forest (2015). Protected Forest Program notice one. is the most widely used online database for updated on 12 February 2015. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (2015). archiving and sharing bird records on a global scale. It Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2015–2019). works well in India, for instance. At the present time Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, using ebird in the field in Nepal can be slow because of Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu. Available online 19 May 2016; http://www.ntnc.org. poor broadband connection, but developing a phone np/sites/default/files/publicaations/Vulture%20Conservation%20 app that would record and store data and then send it to Action%20Plan%20for%20Nepal_2015.pdf when in GSM coverage is currently being investigated. Fleming, R.L. Sr., R.L. Jr. Fleming & L S. Bangdel (1984). Birds of Nepal. Third Edition. Avalok, Kathmandu. An online database would greatly help in updating the Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp & H.S. Baral (2016).Birds of Nepal. Red List in the future and also for land-use planning and Revised edition, Christopher Helm, London. policies. Inskipp, C. & H.S. Baral (2011). Potential impacts of agriculture on Nepal’s birds. Our Nature (2010)8: 270–312; http://doi. org/10.3126/on.v8i1.4339 Inskipp, C. & T. Inskipp (1983). Report on a Survey of Bengal Floricans REFERENCES (Houbaropsis bengalensis) in Nepal and India, 1982. ICBP Study Report No. 2. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge. Acharya, R. & B. Ghimire (2009). Report on owl conservation Inskipp, C. & T. Inskipp (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Nepal. Second

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Edition. Christopher Helm, London. Available online 18 May 2016; Paudel, M. (2016). Authorities fail to notice owl poaching, meat sale. http://archive.org/details/guidetobirdsofne85insk The Kathmandu Post 27 January 2016. Available online 22 May Inskipp, C., H.S. Baral, S. Phuyal, T.R. Bhatt, M. Khatiwada, T. Inskipp, 2016: http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-01-27/ A. Khatiwada, S. Gurung, P.B. Singh, L. Murray, L. Poudyal & R. authorities-fail-to-notice-owl-poaching-meat-sale.html Amin (2016). The Status of Nepal’s Birds: The National Red List Paudel, S. (2009a). Study on threats to Sarus Crane Grus antigone Series. Zoological Society of London. Accessed online 19 May 2016; antigone in farmlands in Lumbini, an Important Bird Area of Nepal https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/national-red-list- – AEC/OBC Award 2007. BirdingASIA 12: 9–10. of-nepals-birds Paudel, S. (2009b). Study on threats to Sarus Crane (Grus antigone Inskipp, C., T. Inskipp, R. Winspear, P. Collin, A. Robin, J. Thakuri antigone) in farmlands in Lumbini, an important Bird Area of Nepal. & M. Pandey (2008). Bird survey of Kanchenjunga Conservation A final report submitted to Oriental Bird Club, UK. Unpublished, Area, April 2008. Bird Conservation Nepal and Royal Society for 37pp. the Protection of Birds, Kathmandu and Sandy. Accessed online Peet, N. (1997). Biodiversity and management of tall grasslands in 20 May 2016: http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/ Nepal. PhD Thesis. University of East Anglia. inskipp/2008_005.pdf Peet, N., A.J. Watkinson, D.J. Bell & U.R. Sharma (1999). The http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/inskipp/2008_006.pdf conservation management of Imperata cylindrica grassland in Inskipp, T. (2015a). Bibliography of the birds of Nepal. Unpublished. Nepal with fire and cutting: an experimental approach. Journal Inskipp, T. (2015b). Nepal species by references document. of Applied Ecology 36: 374–387; http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365- Unpublished. 2664.1999.00405.x IUCN (2003). Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Poudyal, L.P., P.B. Singh & S. Maharjan (2008a). Bengal Florican Regional Levels: Version 3.0. IUCN Species Survival Commission. Houbaropsis bengalensis in Nepal: an update. BirdingAsia (10): IUCN, Gland and Cambridge. 43–47. Mahato, B. (2016). Rediscovery of Red-faced Liocichla in Nepal by Bird Poudyal, L.P., P.B. Singh & S. Maharjan (2008b). The decline of Bengal Education Society team, 22 May 2016. Facebook. Accessed online Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Nepal. Danphe (17): 4–6. 19 May 2016: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=17149 Shah, K.B. & H.S. Baral (2010). Recommendations for Updating the 59662088389&set=a.1431581960426162.1073741830.100007231 Protected Animal List for Government of Nepal. 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Appendix 1. Birds nationally assessed as Regionally Extirpated (RE), Threatened [Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU)], and Near Threatened (NT)

RE CR EN VU NT Jungle Bush Blue Quail Grey Francolin *Cheer Pheasant Catreus Chukar Partridge Perdicula asiatica chinensis Francolinus pondicerianus wallichii () Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae) (Phasianidae) (Phasianidae) (Phasianidae) *Pink-headed Duck *Swamp Francolin Koklass Pheasant Himalayan Monal +Falcated Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Francolinus gularis Pucrasia macrolopha Lophophorus impejanus Anas falcata (Anatidae) (Anatidae) (Phasianidae) (Phasianidae) (Phasianidae) Knob-billed Duck Himalayan Snowcock *White-bellied Heron *Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri +Satyr Tragopan Sarkidiornis melanotos Tetraogallus himalayensis Ardea insignis (Ardeidae) (Anatidae) Tragopan satyra (Phasianidae) (Anatidae) (Phasianidae) *Rufous-necked Hornbill Cotton Pygmy-goose Mountain Imperial Pigeon Northern Pintail Indian Peafowl Aceros nipalensis Nettapus coromandelianus Ducula badia () Anas acuta (Anatidae) Pavo cristatus (Phasianidae) (Bucerotidae) (Anatidae) Silver-breasted Broadbill Thick-billed Green Rufous-throated Partridge Water Rail +Ferruginous Duck Serilophus lunatus Pigeon Treron curvirostra Arborophila rufogularis Rallus aquaticus (Rallidae) Aythya nyroca (Anatidae) (Eurylaimidae) (Columbidae) (Phasianidae) Brown Bush Warbler Indian *Bengal Florican Houbaropsis Garganey Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Bradypterus luteoventris asiaticus bengalensis (Otididae) Anas querquedula (Anatidae) (Anatidae) () (Caprimulgidae) *Black-breasted Barred Cuckoo Dove *Lesser Florican Slaty-legged Crake *Common Pochard flavirostris Macropygia unchall Sypheotides indicus (Otididae) Rallina eurizonoides (Rallidae) Aythya ferina (Anatidae) (Timaliidae) (Columbidae) +Black-necked Stork +Painted Stork Tibetan Green Greylag Goose Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Mycteria leucocephala tibetanus Cochoa viridis (Turdidae) Anser anser (Anatidae) (Ciconiidae) (Ciconiidae) (Pteroclidae) *Greater Adjutant Black Bittern Dupetor Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla Ruddy Shelduck Leptoptilos dubius(Ciconiidae) flavicollis (Ardeidae) (Rallidae) Tadorna ferruginea (Anatidae) Eurasian Spoonbill Great Bittern Demoiselle Crane Spot-billed Duck Platalea leucorodia Botaurus stellaris (Ardeidae) Grus virgo (Gruidae) Anas poecilorhyncha (Anatidae) (Threskiornithidae) Malayan Night Heron Ibisbill *Sarus Crane Ashy-headed Green Pigeon Gorsachius melanolophus Ibidorhyncha struthersii Grus antigone(Gruidae) Treron phayrei (Columbidae) (Ardeidae) (Ibidorhynchidae) Spot-billed Pelican Indian Courser Asian Openbill Anastomus Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Pelecanus philippensis Cursorius coromandelicus oscitans (Ciconiidae) Treron apicauda (Columbidae) (Pelecanidae) (Glareolidae) Great Thick-knee Large-tailed Nightjar Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Black Stork Ciconia nigra Esacus recurvirostris Caprimulgus macrurus Bubo nipalensis (Strigidae) (Ciconiidae) (Burhinidae) (Caprimulgidae) +Eurasian Curlew +Cinereous Vulture *Lesser Adjutant Savanna Nightjar Numenius arquata Aegypius monachus Leptoptilos javanicus Caprimulgus affinis (Scolopacidae) (Accipitridae) (Ciconiidae) (Caprimulgidae) *Red-headed Vulture Yellow-wattled Lapwing *Black-bellied Tern Sterna White-rumped Spinetail Sarcogyps calvus Vanellus malabaricus acuticauda (Laridae) Zoonavena sylvatica (Apodidae) (Accipitridae) (Charadriidae) Red-headed Trogon Pheasant-tailed Jacana Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Caspian Tern Harpactes erythrocephalus Hydrophasianus chirurgus Clamator coromandus Sterna caspia (Laridae) (Trogonidae) (Scolopacidae) (Cuculidae) *Wood Snipe Gull-billed Tern +Great Hornbill Watercock Gallinago nemoricola Sterna nilotica(Laridae) Buceros bicornis (Bucerotidae) Gallicrex cinerea (Rallidae) (Scolopacidae) *Indian Skimmer Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo Black-headed Gull Common Crane Rynchops albicollis (Laridae) meninting(Alcedinidae) Larus ridibundus (Laridae) Grus grus (Gruidae) +Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Brown-headed Gull +River Tern *Asian Woollyneck Ciconia Indicator xanthonotus Larus brunnicephalus Sterna aurantia (Laridae) episcopus (Ciconiidae) (Indicatoridae) (Laridae) *Great Slaty Woodpecker +Black-headed Ibis Eastern Grass Owl Little Tern Mulleripicus pulverulentus Threskiornis melanocephalus Tyto longimembris (Tytonidae) Sterna albifrons (Laridae) (Picidae) (Threskiornithidae) Great Cormorant Dusky Eagle Owl Red-necked Falcon Barn Owl Tyto alba Phalacrocorax carbo Bubo coromandus (Strigidae) Falco chicquera (Falconidae) (Tytonidae) (Phalacrocoracidae) +Oriental Darter Tawny Fish Owl *Saker Falcon Brown Fish Owl Anhinga melanogaster Ketupa flavipes (Strigidae) Falco cherrug (Falconidae) Ketupa zeylonensis (Strigidae) (Anhingidae) Brown Wood Owl Lesser Sand Plover Brahminy Kite Blue-naped Pitta Pitta Strix leptogrammica Charadrius mongolus Haliastur indus (Accipitridae) nipalensis (Pittidae) (Strigidae) (Charadriidae)

9714 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

RE CR EN VU NT Sultan Tit *Eastern Imperial Eagle Rock Eagle Owl +Northern Lapwing Melanochlora sultanea Aquila heliaca (Accipitridae) Bubo bengalensis (Strigidae) Vanellus vanellus (Charadriidae) (Paridae) +Grey-headed Fish Eagle White-throated Bulbul Short-eared Owl Pacific Golden Plover Icthyophaga ichthyaetus Alophoixus flaveolus Asio flammeus (Strigidae) Pluvialis fulva (Charadriidae) (Accipitridae) (Pycnonotidae) Egyptian Vulture +River Lapwing Jerdon’s Baza Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia Neophron percnopterus Vanellus duvaucelii Aviceda jerdoni (Accipitridae) hodgsoni (Sylviidae) (Accipitridae) (Charadriidae) +Lesser Fish Eagle +Rufous-rumped Grassbird Golden Eagle Black-tailed Godwit Icthyophaga humilis Graminicola bengalensis Aquila chrysaetos Limosa limosa (Scolopacidae) (Accipitridae) (Sylviidae) (Accipitridae) Yellow-vented Warbler Montagu’s Harrier *Greater Spotted Eagle Small Phylloscopus cantator Circus pygargus (Accipitridae) Aquila clanga (Accipitridae) Turnix sylvaticus (Turnicidae) (Sylviidae) *Pallas’s Fish Eagle +Himalayan Vulture Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla Yellow-legged Buttonquail Haliaeetus leucoryphus Gyps himalayensis abbotti (Timaliidae) Turnix tanki (Turnicidae) (Accipitridae) (Accipitridae) Rufous-bellied Eagle Golden Babbler Oriental Pratincole *Indian Spotted Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Stachyris chrysaea Glareola maldivarum Aquila hastata (Accipitridae) (Accipitridae) (Timaliidae) (Glareolidae) *Slender-billed Vulture Rusty-fronted Barwing +Lammergeier Small Pratincole Gyps tenuirostris Actinodura egertoni Gypaetus barbatus Glareola lactea (Glareolidae) (Accipitridae) (Timaliidae) (Accipitridae) *White-rumped Vulture Silver-eared Mesia Northern Harrier Common Tern Gyps bengalensis Leiothrix argentauris Circus cyaneus (Accipitridae) Sterna hirundo (Laridae) (Accipitridae) (Timaliidae) White-tailed Eagle Tawny-bellied Babbler Pallid Harrier Black Baza Haliaeetus albicilla Dumetia hyperythra Circus macrourus Aviceda leuphotes (Accipitridae) (Accipitridae) (Timaliidae) (Accipitridae) Gould’s Shortwing Pied Harrier Oriental Pied Hornbill +Blyth’s Kingfisher Alcedo Brachypteryx stellata Circus melanoleucos Anthracoceros albirostris hercules (Alcedinidae) (Turdidae) (Accipitridae) (Bucerotidae) Ruddy Kingfisher *Steppe Eagle Purple Cochoa Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus Halcyon coromanda Aquila nipalensis Cochoa purpurea (Turdidae) pyrrhotis (Picidae) (Alcedinidae) (Accipitridae) Blue-eared Barbet *White-throated Western Marsh Harrier Collared Falconet Megalaima australis Bushchat Saxicola insignis Circus aeruginosus Microhierax caerulescens (Megalaimidae) (Muscicapidae) (Accipitridae) (Falconidae) Ruby-cheeked Sunbird +Red-breasted Parakeet Pale-headed Woodpecker Lesser Kestrel Anthreptes singalensis Psittacula alexandri Gecinulus grantia(Picidae) Falco naumanni (Falconidae) (Nectariniidae) (Psittacidae) Chestnut Munia White-browed Piculet Hooded Pitta +Alexandrine Parakeet Lonchura atricapilla Sasia ochracea (Picidae) Pitta sordida (Pittidae) Psittacula eupatria (Psittacidae) (Estrildidae) +Laggar Falcon * +Blossom-headed Parakeet Falco jugger (Falconidae) Chaetornis striata (Sylviidae) Psittacula roseata(Psittacidae) Plain Martin Oriental Hobby Hume’s Bush Warbler Riparia paludicola Falco severus (Falconidae) Cettia brunnescens(Sylviidae) (Hirundinidae) Vernal Hanging Parrot Pale-footed Bush Warbler Crested Loriculus vernalis (Psittacidae) Cettia pallidipes (Sylviidae) Galerida cristata (Alaudidae) Yellow-bellied Warbler Great Grey Shrike Golden-headed Cisticola Abroscopus superciliaris Lanius excubitor (Laniidae) Cisticola exilis (Cisticolidae) (Sylviidae) Black-chinned Yuhina Yellow-cheeked Tit Yellow-bellied Prinia Yuhina nigrimenta Parus spilonotus (Paridae) Prinia flaviventris (Cisticolidae) (Timaliidae) *Grey-crowned Prinia Black-headed Shrike-babbler Clamorous Reed Warbler Prinia cinereocapilla Pteruthius rufiventer Acrocephalus stentoreus (Cisticolidae) (Timaliidae) (Sylviidae) Brown Parrotbill +Rufous-vented Prinia Grey-cheeked Warbler Paradoxornis unicolor Prinia burnesii (Cisticolidae) Seicercus poliogenys (Sylviidae) r(Timaliidae) Rufous-faced Warbler Blue-winged Laughingthrush Abroscopus albogularis Turdoides caudata Garrulax squamatus (Sylviidae) (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae)

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9715 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

RE CR EN VU NT Fulvous Parrotbill Slaty-bellied Tesia Chestnut-capped Babbler Paradoxornis fulvifrons Tesia olivea (Sylviidae) Timalia pileata (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) Striated Grassbird Golden-breasted Fulvetta Himalayan Megalurus palustris Alcippe chrysotis (Timaliidae) Cutia nipalensis (Timaliidae) (Sylviidae) +Blackish-breasted Babbler Great Parrotbill Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Sphenocichla humei Conostoma oemodium Garrulax rufogularis (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler Greater Necklaced Scaly Laughingthrush Pomatorhinus ferruginosus Laughingthrush Garrulax Garrulax subunicolor (Timaliidae) pectoralis (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) *Jerdon’s Babbler Grey-sided Laughingthrush White-browed Scimitar Babbler Chrysomma altirostre Garrulax caerulatus Pomatorhinus schisticeps (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) Lesser Necklaced Long-tailed Sibia Laughingthrush Yellow-eyed Babbler Heterophasia picaoides Garrulax monileger Chrysomma sinense (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) (Timaliidae) Red-faced Liocichla Slender-billed Scimitar Ferruginous Flycatcher Liocichla phoenicea Babbler Xiphirhynchus ferruginea (Timaliidae) superciliaris (Timaliidae) (Muscicapidae) Rufous-backed Sibia Dark-sided Large Niltava Heterophasia annectans Zoothera marginata Niltava grandis (Muscicapidae) (Timaliidae) (Turdidae) Rufous-necked *Kashmir Flycatcher Sapphire Flycatcher Laughingthrush subrubra Ficedula sapphira Garrulax ruficollis (Timaliidae) (Muscicapidae) (Muscicapidae) +Rufous-throated White-gorgeted Flycatcher Slaty-backed Flycatcher Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus Ficedula monileger Ficedula hodgsonii (Timaliidae) (Muscicapidae) (Muscicapidae) *Slender-billed Babbler Black-breasted Weaver White-tailed Stonechat Turdoides longirostris Ploceus bengalensis Saxicola leucurus (Timaliidae) (Ploceidae) (Muscicapidae) Spotted Wren Babbler Golden-naped Baya Weaver Ploceus Spelaeornis formosus Pyrrhoplectes epauletta philippinus (Ploceidae) (Timaliidae) (Fringillidae) White-hooded Babbler Tibetan Serin Red Avadavat Gampsorhynchus rufulus thibetanus Amandava amandava (Timaliidae) (Fringillidae) (Estrildidae) Black-faced Bunting White-throated Munia White-naped Yuhina Emberiza spodocephala Lonchura malabarica Yuhina bakeri (Timaliidae) (Emberizidae) (Estrildidae) Black-headed Bunting Scarlet Finch Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena Emberiza melanocephala Haematospiza sipahi puella (Irenidae) (Emberizidae) (Fringillidae) Jerdon’s Bushchat Little Bunting Spot-winged Saxicola jerdoni Emberiza pusilla Mycerobas melanozanthos (Muscicapidae) (Emberizidae) (Fringillidae) Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum (Dicaeidae) Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum (Dicaeidae) Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra (Nectariniidae) Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar (Ploceidae) *Yellow Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus (Ploceidae) *Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola (Emberizidae) * indicates globally threatened + indicates globally Near Threatened Threat criteria are given in each species account at the Nepal Bird Red List web address: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/national-red-list-of-nepals-birds

9716 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Appendix 2. Data Deficient species Appendix 3. Summary of the main threats to threatened bird species of Nepal *Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis Specific key threats/drivers to species declines Black-and-yellow Grosbeak Mycerobas icterioides Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Degradation of forests (fuel and fodder collection, logging, selective Black-tailed Crake Amaurornis bicolor 1 timber felling, burning, overgrazing) Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Degradation of grasslands and pastures (livestock over-grazing, Alauda arvensis inappropriate grassland 2 management in protected areas, vegetation succession leading to Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus scrub encroachment) Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax Fragmentation (human encroachment, clearance for agriculture, 3 urbanization) Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophris 4 Wetland habitat loss and degradation Long-billed Wren Babbler Rimator malacoptilus 5 Invasive plant species Mottled Wood Owl Strix ocellata 6 Water pollution (agricultural, domestic, industrial) Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cucullatus 7 Pesticides Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia 8 Diclofenac use Pale Martin Riparia diluta 9 Disturbance (to breeding, roosting and feeding areas) Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 10 Sand and gravel mining of river beds and other surface quarrying Sand Martin Riparia riparia 11 Dams Singing Bush Lark cantillans 12 Climate change Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Over-exploitation Tibetan Lark maxima 13 Hunting and trapping for food and for medicinal purposes Twite Carduelis flavirostris 14 Persecution Tytler’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri 15 Illegal bird trade Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 16 Over-fishing (leads to reduction in food for fish-eating birds) * indicates globally threatened 17 Exploitation of NTFPs and MAPs

Other

18 Predation (feral dogs)

19 Competition with introduced species

20 Intensification of agriculture

21 Predators at unnaturally high population levels

22 Conflict with local communities

23 Electric power cables

24 Loss of open stony habitat

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9717 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Appendix 4. Primary, secondary and potential/suspected threats to threatened bird species of Nepal (Colour red - Primary threat; Colour orange - Secondary threat; Colour grey - Potential/suspected threat)

Category Category Habitat loss, Habitat loss, of Over- of Over- degradation degradation threat (at Species exp- Other threat (at Species exp- Other and fragmen- and fragmen- National loitation National loitation tation tation level) level) Abroscopus albogularis, Houbaropsis bengalensis, 18, CR 1,3 2,3,9,5,12 13,17 Rufous-faced Warbler Bengal Florican 21 Alcedo hercules, Blyth’s Icthyophaga humilis, Lesser 1,3,4,9 16 1,3,4,7,9 16 Kingfisher Fish Eagle Icthyophaga ichthyaetus, Anas falcata, Falcated Duck 4,9 13 1,3,4,7,9 16 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Aquila heliaca, Eastern 4,7 Irena puella, Asian Fairy Imperial Eagle 1,3 Bluebird Arachnothera longirostra, 1,3 Ketupa flavipes, Tawny Fish 14,15, Little Spiderhunter 1,3,9 Owl 16 Aviceda jerdoni, Jerdon’s 1,3 Lanius excubitor, Great Grey Baza 7 20 Shrike Aythya baeri, Baer’s Pochard 4,9 13 Leptoptilos dubius, Greater 4,7,9 13 Bubo coromandus, Dusky 13, 14, Adjutant 1,3 Eagle Owl 15 Liocichla phoenicea Red- 1,3 Chrysomma altirostre, faced Liocichla 2,3,12 Jerdon’s Babbler Lophotriorchis kienerii, 1,3 Circus pygargus, Montagu’s Rufous-bellied Eagle 7 Harrier Loriculus vernalis, Vernal 1,3 Coturnix chinensis, Blue Hanging Parrot 2,3,4,9 13 Quail Megalaima australis, Blue- 1,3 Dicaeum chrysorrheum, eared Barbet 1,3 Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Megalurus palustris, Striated 2,3,5,12 Dicaeum cruentatum, Grassbird 1,3 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Numenius arquata, Eurasian 4,9 13 Ducula badia, Mountain Curlew 1,3 13 Imperial Pigeon Parus spilonotus, Yellow- 1,3 Emberiza aureola, Yellow- cheeked Tit 7 13 20 breasted Bunting Pelecanus philippensis, Spot- 4,9 13,16 Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, billed Pelican 4,9,7 13 Black-necked Stork Platalea leucorodia, Eurasian 4 13 Esacus recurvirostris, Great Spoonbill 4,9,10,11 17 Thick-knee Ploceus manyar, Streaked 3,4 Falco jugger, Laggar Falcon 7 Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus, Falco severus, Oriental 2,3,12 1,3,7 Yellow Weaver Hobby Pomatorhinus ferruginosus, Gampsorhynchus rufulus, 1,3 1,3 Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler White-hooded Babbler Prinia burnesii, Rufous- Garrulax ruficollis, Rufous- 2,3,12 1,3,4 vented Prinia necked Laughingthrush Prinia cinereocapilla, Grey- Gecinulus grantia, Pale- 2,3,12 1,3 crowned Prinia headed Woodpecker Gorsachius melanolophus, Rallus aquaticus, Water Rail 4,9 13 1,3 Malayan Night Heron Rynchops albicollis, Indian 4,9 13,16 Gyps bengalensis, White- Skimmer 1,7,8,9 rumped Vulture Sasia ochracea, White- 1,3 Gyps tenuirostris, Slender- browed Piculet 1,7,8,9 billed Vulture Saxicola jerdoni, Jerdon’s 2,3,12 Halcyon coromanda, Ruddy Bushchat 1,3 Kingfisher Spelaeornis caudatus, Haliaeetus albicilla, White- Rufous-throated Wren 1,3 4,6,7,9 13,16 tailed Eagle Babbler Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Spelaeornis formosus, 4,6,7,9 13,16 1,3 Pallas’s Fish Eagle Spotted Wren Babbler Haliastur indus, Brahminy Sphenocichla humei, 4,6,7 13,16 1,3 Kite Blackish-breasted Babbler Heterophasia annectans, Sterna acuticauda, Black- 1,3 4,9,10,11 13,16 Rufous-backed Sibia bellied Tern Heterophasia picaoides, 1,3 Sterna aurantia, River Tern 4,9 13,16 Long-tailed Sibia

9718 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Category Category Habitat loss, Habitat loss, of Over- of Over- degradation degradation threat (at Species exp- Other threat (at Species exp- Other and fragmen- and fragmen- National loitation National loitation tation tation level) level) Malacocincla abbotti, Sterna caspia, Caspian Tern 4,9 13,16 1,3 Abbott’s Babbler Sterna nilotica, Gull-billed 4,9 13,16 Melanochlora sultanea, Tern 1,3 Sultan Tit Sypheotides indicus, Lesser 18, 2,3,9,5,12 13,17 Mulleripicus pulverulentus, Florican 21 1,3 Great Slaty Woodpecker Tesia olivea, Slaty-bellied 1,3 Mycteria leucocephala, Tesia 4,9 13 Painted Stork Turdoides longirostris, 2,3,12 Phylloscopus cantator, Slender-billed Babbler 1,3 Yellow-vented Warbler Tyto longimembris, Eastern 13,14, 2,3,12 Pitta nipalensis, Blue-naped Grass Owl 15 1,3 Pitta Yuhina bakeri, White-naped 1,3 Rallina eurizonoides, Slaty- Yuhina 1,3,4,9 13 legged Crake Actinodura egertoni, Rusty- EN 1,3 Sarcogyps calvus, Red- fronted Barwing 1,7, 8 headed Vulture Aegypius monachus, 8 Sarkidiornis melanotos, Cinereous Vulture 4,9 13 Knob-billed Duck Alcedo meninting, Blue- 1,3,6,9 Saxicola insignis, White- eared Kingfisher 2,9 throated Bushchat Alophoixus flaveolus, White- 1,3 Stachyris chrysaea, Golden throated Bulbul 1,3 Babbler Anas acuta, Northern Pintail 4,5,9 13 Tickellia hodgsoni, Broad- 1,3 Anthreptes singalensis, billed Warbler 1,3 Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Treron curvirostra, Thick- 1,3 Botaurus stellaris, Great billed Green Pigeon 3,4,7,9 13 Bittern Abroscopus superciliaris, VU 1,3 Brachypteryx stellata, Yellow-bellied Warbler 1,3 Gould’s Shortwing Alcippe chrysotis, Golden- 1,3 Bubo nipalensis, Spot-bellied 13,14, breasted Fulvetta 1,3,9 Eagle Owl 15 Anas querquedula, Garganey 4,5,7,9 13 Buceros bicornis, Great 1,3 13 Anastomus oscitans, Asian Hornbill 4,7,9 13 Openbill Caprimulgus asiaticus, 7 Aquila chrysaetos, Golden Indian Nightjar 7 14 22 Eagle Catreus wallichii, Cheer 1,3,9 13 Aquila clanga, Greater Pheasant 7 Spotted Eagle Cochoa purpurea, Purple 1,3 Aquila hastata, Indian Cochoa 7 23 Spotted Eagle Cursorius coromandelicus, 9 13 24 Aquila nipalensis, Steppe Indian Courser 7 Eagle Dumetia hyperythra, Tawny- 2,3,12 Asio flammeus, Short-eared 13,14, bellied Babbler 2,3 Owl 15 Dupetor flavicollis, Black 4,7,9 13 Aythya nyroca, Ferruginous Bittern 4 13 Duck Falco cherrug, Saker Falcon 7 15 Bubo bengalensis, Rock 13,14, Falco chicquera, Red-necked Eagle Owl 15 7 Falcon Cettia brunnescens, Hume’s 1,3 Francolinus gularis, Swamp Bush Warbler 2,3,5,9,12 13 21 Francolin Cettia pallidipes, Pale-footed 2,3,5 Graminicola bengalensis, Bush Warbler 2,3,5,9,12 Rufous-rumped Grassbird Chaetornis striata, Bristled 2,3,5 Harpactes erythrocephalus, Grassbird 1,3 Red-headed Trogon Ciconia nigra, Black Stork 3,4,7,9 13 Ibidorhyncha struthersii, 4,6,9,10,12 13 Circus aeruginosus, Western Ibisbill 4,7 Marsh Harrier Indicator xanthonotus, 1,3 17 Circus cyaneus, Northern Yellow-rumped Honeyguide 7 Harrier Leiothrix argentauris, Silver- 1,3 Circus macrourus, Pallid eared Mesia 7 Harrier Lonchura atricapilla, 2,3,4 19 Circus melanoleucos, Pied Chestnut Munia 7 Harrier

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9719 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Category Category Habitat loss, Habitat loss, of Over- of Over- degradation degradation threat (at Species exp- Other threat (at Species exp- Other and fragmen- and fragmen- National loitation National loitation tation tation level) level) Conostoma oemodium, Serinus thibetanus, Tibetan 1,3 12 Great Parrotbill Serin Emberiza melanocephala, 2,3 13 Sterna albifrons, Little Tern 4,9,11, 13,16 Black-headed Bunting Strix leptogrammica Brown 13,14, Emberiza pusilla, Little 1,3 7 7 20 Wood Owl 15 Bunting Syrrhaptes tibetanus, Emberiza spodocephala, 2,9 13 2,3,4 13 Tibetan Sandgrouse Black-faced Bunting Tragopan satyra, Satyr Ficedula monileger, White- 1,3,9 13,17 1,3 Tragopan gorgeted Flycatcher Turdoides caudata, Common Ficedula subrubra, Kashmir 7 20 1,3 Babbler Flycatcher 13,14, Francolinus pondicerianus, Tyto alba, Barn Owl 7 20 7,9 13 20 15 Grey Francolin Vanellus malabaricus, Gallinago nemoricola, Wood 2,9 1,3,4,9 Yellow-wattled Lapwing Snipe Xiphirhynchus superciliaris, Garrulax caerulatus, Grey- 1,3 Slender-billed Scimitar 1,3 sided Laughingthrush Babbler Garrulax monileger, Lesser Yuhina nigrimenta, Black- 1,3 1,3 Necklaced Laughingthrush chinned Yuhina Garrulax pectoralis, Greater Zoothera marginata, Dark- 1,3 1,3 Necklaced Laughingthrush sided Thrush Grus antigone, Sarus Crane 3,4,7,9,12 14 23 Acrocephalus stentoreus, NT 4 Clamorous Reed Warbler Grus virgo, Demoiselle Crane 4,7,9 13 Alectoris chukar, Chukar Gypaetus barbatus, 7 13,15 7,8 14 Partridge Lammergeier Amandava amandava, Red Gyps himalayensis, 2,3,4 15 7,8 Avadavat Himalayan Vulture Anas poecilorhyncha, Spot- Hydrophasianus chirurgus, 4,7,9 13 4,9 13 billed Duck Pheasant-tailed Jacana Anhinga melanogaster, Ketupa zeylonensis, Brown 14,15, 4,5 16 1,3,9 Oriental Darter Fish Owl 16 Anser anser, Greylag Goose 4,9 13 Larus brunnicephalus, 4,5, 16 Brown-headed Gull Anser indicus, Bar-headed 4,6 13 Larus ridibundus, Black- Goose 4,5 16 headed Gull Anthracoceros albirostris, 1,3 13 Leptoptilos javanicus, Lesser Oriental Pied Hornbill 3,7,9, 13 Adjutant Arborophila rufogularis, 1,3,9 13 Macropygia unchall, Barred Rufous-throated Partridge 1,3 Cuckoo Dove Aviceda leuphotes, Black 1,3 Neophron percnopterus, Baza 1,8,9 Egyptian Vulture Aythya ferina, Common 4,9 13 Nettapus coromandelianus, Pochard 4,9 13 Cotton Pygmy-goose Blythipicus pyrrhotis, Bay 1,3 Paradoxornis fulvifrons, Woodpecker 1,3 Fulvous Parrotbill Caprimulgus affinis, Savanna 2,7 13g Paradoxornis unicolor, Nightjar 1,3 Brown Parrotbill Caprimulgus macrurus 1,7 13g Large-tailed Nightjar Pitta sordida, Hooded Pitta 1,3 Charadrius mongolus, Lesser Ploceus bengalensis, Black- 3,9,10 13 2,3,12 Sand Plover breasted Weaver Chrysomma sinense, Yellow- Porzana pusilla, Baillon’s 2,3,12 4,5 eyed Babbler Crake Ciconia episcopus, Asian Psittacula alexandri, Red- 4,7,9, 13 1,3 15 Woollyneck breasted Parakeet Cisticola exilis, Golden- Pteruthius rufiventer, Black- 2,3,12 1,3 headed Cisticola headed Shrike-babbler Clamator coromandus, Pucrasia macrolopha, 1,3 13 1,3,9 13,17 Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Koklass Pheasant Cutia nipalensis, Himalayan Pyrrhoplectes epauletta, 1,3 1,3 Cutia Golden-naped Finch Falco naumanni, Lesser 7 Kestrel

9720 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Category Category Habitat loss, Habitat loss, of Over- of Over- degradation degradation threat (at Species exp- Other threat (at Species exp- Other and fragmen- and fragmen- National loitation National loitation tation tation level) level) Ficedula hodgsonii, Slaty- Threskiornis 1,3 backed Flycatcher melanocephalus, Black- 4,7,9 13 Ficedula sapphira, Sapphire headed Ibis 1,3 Flycatcher Timalia pileata, Chestnut- 2,3,12 Galerida cristata, Crested capped Babbler 7 20 Lark Treron apicauda, Pin-tailed 1,3 Green Pigeon Gallicrex cinerea, Watercock 4,7 13 Treron phayrei, Ashy-headed Garrulax rufogularis, Rufous- 1,3 1,3 Green Pigeon chinned Laughingthrush Turnix sylvaticus, Small Garrulax squamatus, Blue- 2,3,5 1,3 Buttonquail winged Laughingthrush Turnix tanki, Yellow-legged Garrulax subunicolor, Scaly 2,3,5 1,3 Buttonquail Laughingthrush Vanellus duvaucelii, River Glareola lactea, Small 6,9,10, 13 4,7,9,10, 11 13 Lapwing Pratincole Vanellus vanellus, Northern Glareola maldivarum, 4,7,9 13 4,9 13 Lapwing Oriental Pratincole Zoonavena sylvatica, White- 1,3 Grus grus, Common Crane 4,7,9 13 20 rumped Spinetail Haematospiza sipahi, Scarlet Alauda arvensis, Eurasian 1,3 DD 20 Finch Skylark Limosa limosa, Black-tailed Amaurornis bicolor, Black- 4,9 13 4,9 13 Godwit tailed Crake Lonchura malabarica, 2 13,15 20 Aquila rapax, Tawny Eagle 7 White-throated Munia Brachypteryx leucophris, Lophophorus impejanus, 1,3 1,3,9 13,17 Lesser Shortwing Himalayan Monal Bubo bubo, Eurasian Eagle 13,14, Microhierax caerulescens, 1,3 Owl 15 Collared Falconet Buteo hemilasius, Upland Muscicapa ferruginea, 7 1,3 Buzzard Ferruginous Flycatcher Carduelis flavirostris, Twite unknown Mycerobas melanozanthos, 1,3 Spot-winged Grosbeak Ficedula parva, Red- 1 Niltava grandis, Large breasted Flycatcher 1,3 Niltava Grus nigricollis, Black-necked 9 13 Pavo cristatus, Indian Crane 1,3,9 Peafowl Gyps fulvus, Griffon Vulture 8 Phalacrocorax carbo, Great Hierococcyx fugax, 4,7,9, 13,16 1,3 13 Cormorant Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo Ploceus philippinus, Baya Melanocorypha maxima, 7 13 20 unknown Weaver Tibetan Lark Pluvialis fulva, Pacific Golden Mirafra cantillans, Singing 7,9 2,3 Plover Bush Lark Pomatorhinus schisticeps, Mycerobas icterioides, Black- unknown White-browed Scimitar 1,3 and-yellow Grosbeak Babbler Oriolus chinensis, Black- Prinia flaviventris, Yellow- 1 2,3,12 naped Oriole bellied Prinia Orthotomus cucullatus, Psittacula eupatria, 1,3 1,3 15 Mountain Tailorbird Alexandrine Parakeet Otus sunia, Oriental Scops 13,14, Psittacula roseata, Blossom- 1,3 1,3 Owl 15 headed Parakeet Phylloscopus tytleri, Tytler’s Riparia paludicola, Plain unknown 10 Leaf Warbler Martin Rimator malacoptilus, Long- Saxicola leucurus, White- 1,3 2,3,12 billed Wren Babbler tailed Stonechat Riparia diluta/riparia, Pale/ Seicercus poliogenys, Grey- unknown 1,3 Sand Martin cheeked Warbler Strix ocellata, Mottled Wood Sterna hirundo, Common 1,9 14,15 4,9 13,16 Owl Tern Tadorna ferruginea, Ruddy 4,5,7,9 13 Shelduck Tetraogallus himalayensis, 9,12 13,17 Himalayan Snowcock

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 9721 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds Inskipp et al.

Acknowledgements: We are indebted to the Zoological Society of London who provided funding for the project. We thank Mr Fanindra Raj Kharel, Director General of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal for his support to the project. At the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) we thank Member Secretary, Mr Govinda Gajurel, Excecutive Officer, Mr Ganga Jung Thapa and Senior Programme Officer, Dr Naresh Subedi for their support. We thank NTNC for hosting and organising two vital workshops that were held to discuss bird status, threats and categories and especially Dr Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral, Project Coordinator and Senior Programme Office for his strong support throughout. At Himalayan Nature (HN) we thank Chairman, Professor Karan Bahadur Shah and Director, Sharad Singh for their support. We are especially grateful to HN for posting draft species accounts on their website for comment after the two workshops. At the Zoological Society of London, we thank Conservation Programme Director, Professor Jonathon Baillie for initiating the Red List programme for Nepal and his continuous support for the project, and South and Central Asia Programme Manager, Dr Gitanjali Bhattacharya for helping to fund-raise and for gearing up all the support needed to complete the work. The work would not have been possible without the help of a very large number of people who generously provided their bird records. We warmly thank all of them including all those who attended the two workshops for their enormous contributions. A very large thank goes to Mark Turin who generously gave much of his time to organise the scanning of a huge number of unpublished Nepal bird reports held by Tim and Carol Inskipp and posting these online for free download on his Digital Himalaya website. This gave invaluable access to the Nepal ZSL team in writing species accounts. We thank the following additional organisations for their support: Bird Education Society, Bird Conservation Nepal, Friends of Nature, Pokhara Bird Society, Koshi Bird Society, Friends of Bird, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, Bardia Nature Conservation Club, Bird Conservation Network Kailali, Koshi Camp, Lumbini Buddha Garden, Chitwan Gaida Lodge, Nature Safari Tours, Nepalese Ornithological Union, Biodiversity Conservation Society of Nepal, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Species Survival Commission, Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation and Sukla Phanta Wildlife Camp.

Author Details: Carol Inskipp has an MSc in ecology. She has written a number of books and papers on the conservation, status, distribution and identification of Nepal’s birds since 1985, mainly with her husband Tim, Hem Sagar Baral and Bird Conservation Nepal and has visited Nepal many times since 1977. Hem Sagar Baral has an ornithology PhD from the University of Amsterdam, and has been actively involved in bird conservation for over 25 years. He held important positions for BirdLife Nepal, Himalayan Nature and Nepalese Ornithological Union. Currently he is working as the head of Nepal conservation programme for ZSL. Tim Inskipp has studied the distribution, status and identification of birds in Nepal since his first visit to the country in 1970 and has co-authored a number of books and papers on the subject. Ambika Prasad Khatiwada holds a forestry MSc degree. He is in charge of the National Trust for Nature Conservation’s Bardia Conservation Program where he leads research and conservation projects and works towards biodiversity conservation engaging local communities. He has been working for conservation of dholes, pangolins, snow leopards and other species. Monsoon Pokharel Khatiwada is a MSc. graduate in Zoology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She is life member of Alumni Association for Conservation and Development and recently worked as project officer for Chester zoo-UK/Green Governance Nepal -‘Living with Tigers’ project in Bardia National Park. Laxman Prasad Poudyal holds MSc degree in Natural Resource Management and Rural Development. He is enthusiast on bird research and conservation; conducted research on pheasants and other birds in Nepal. Currently he is working as Ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal. Rajan Amin is a senior wildlife biologist at the Zoological Society of London with over 20 years of experience in African and Asian grassland and forest ecosystems and in developing long-term conservation projects for threatened species. Author Contribution: CI drafted the text for this paper. For the project she assisted in: compiling and analysing species information and making the overall analysis of status, ecology, threats, conservation measures and threat status of all of Nepal birds. HSB assisted in compiling species information, organised the Nepal team of workers on the project and helped to make the overall analysis of Nepal’s birds. TI compiled the bibliography on Nepal birds and prepared a document listing all references for each species which were vital in preparing species accounts. APK and MPK prepared the species’ maps. LPP contribution included advice on interpretation of results and important comments on pheasant species. RA provided invaluable guidance on methods, interpretation of results and contributions to drafting this paper.

Threatened Taxa

9722 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2017 | 9(1): 9700–9722 OPEN ACCESS The Journal of Threatened Taxa is dedicated to building evidence for conservation globally by publishing peer-reviewed articles online every month at a reasonably rapid rate atwww.threatenedtaxa.org . All articles published in JoTT are registered under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License unless otherwise mentioned. JoTT allows unrestricted use of articles in any medium, reproduction, and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. ISSN 0974-7907 (Online); ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) January 2017 | Vol. 9 | No. 1 | Pages: 9689–9776 Date of Publication: 26 January 2017 (Online & Print) DOI: 10.11609/jott.2017.9.1.9689-9776 www.threatenedtaxa.org

Article Notes

Influence of substrate features on distribution of polypores Two jasmine (Oleaceae: Jasminum L.) taxa newly recorded (Fungi: Basidiomycota) in central part of Peechi Vazhani in Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India -- Bui Hong Quang, Vu Tien Chinh, Le Thi Mai Linh & Ritesh -- Muhammed Iqbal, Kattany Vidyasagaran & Narayan Ganesh, Kumar Choudhary, Pp. 9756–9760 Pp. 9689–9699 First record of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from Ramgarh-Vishdhari Reviews Wildlife Sanctuary in semi-arid landscape of Rajasthan, India -- Sailaja Nayak, Sunny Shah & Jimmy Borah, Pp. 9761–9763 Nepal’s National Red List of Birds -- Carol Inskipp, Hem Sagar Baral, Tim Inskipp, Ambika Prasad Re-sighting record of Fulvous Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros Khatiwada, Monsoon Pokharel Khatiwada, Laxman Prasad fulvus Gray, 1838 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) Poudyal & Rajan Amin, Pp. 9700–9722 from Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India -- Sumit Dookia, Gajendra Singh & Rajlakshmi Mishra, Current status, distribution and conservation status of Pp. 9764–9767 Algerian bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) -- Mourad Ahmim, Pp. 9723–9733 Record number of Yellow-billed Oxpeckers Buphagus africanus Linnaeus, 1766 (Aves: Passeriformes: Buphagidae) foraging on a single host Short Communications -- Diogo Veríssimo, Jean-Christophe Cugnière, Suzanne Cugnière, Julien Cugnière, Géraldine Cugnière & Laure Incipient loss of a mutualism? Cugnière, Pp. 9768–9770 -- Johannes H. Fischer, Heiko U. Wittmer, Endro Setiawan, Sarah Jaffe & Andrew J. Marshall, Pp. 9734–9737 First record of the Two-striped Box Crab Calappa bilineata Ng, Lai & Aungtonya, 2002 (Brachyura: Calappidae) from First record of the Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus St. Martin’s Island, Boddaert, 1783 (Aves: Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) breeding in -- Muntasir Akash & Mostafa A.R. Hossain, Pp. 9771–9773 the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka -- Hemachandra Kularatne & Susantha Udagedara, Pp. 9738– A record of Limenitis rileyi Tytler, 1940 (Lepidoptera, 9742 Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae) from , India -- Purnendu Roy, Pp. 9774–9776 Bibliography and checklist of the dragonflies and damselflies of -- T. Gyeltshen, T. Nidup, P. Dorji, T. Dorji & V.J. Kalkman, Pp. 9743–9747

Checklist of terebrantian thrips Insecta( : Thysanoptera) recorded from India -- R.R. Rachana & R. Varatharajan, Pp. 9748–9755

Threatened Taxa