Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

• Adequate protection of habitat in the far south for Moustached
Hawk Cuckoo, notably including declaration of
Dong Khanthung as an NBCA.
Centropodidae: Coucals (2 species)
Centropus sinensis Greater Coucal. Resident; north, centre,
south B2 . Forest edge, scrub, tall secondary growth and
grassland, including around ponds and villages; locally within
dense forest. Up to at least 1350 m.
Centropus bengalensis Lesser Coucal. Resident; north, centre,
south B2 . Grassland, marshes, scrubby secondary growth,
often near water, up to at least 1200 m.
Psittacidae: Parrots (5 species)
Loriculus vernalis Vernal Hanging Parrot. Resident; north,
centre, south B2 . Evergreen and deciduous forests, secondary
growth; mainly lowland; occasionally up to 1000 m. Special
Significance: CITES Appendix II.
• Psittacula eupatria Alexandrine Parakeet. Conservation
Significance: At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II. Documented
Range and Habitat: Resident; centre (historically );
south B14 B22
. Open deciduous forests and adjacent riverine evergreen
forest, mainly lowland. Status Information: Records
prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998). Historically
the species was described as common in parts of
south and central Lao PDR (Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu
1949-1950) and there is even a record from the Thai bank of
the Mekong opposite north Lao PDR (Robinson and Kloss
1931). There are records from near Attapu and only two recent
survey areas (Table 11): Xe Pian NBCA, where scattered
pairs were seen in association with open forest, including
the area around Ban Sompoy (five on 18 December 1997,
Robichaud 1998e, and two in early 1998, RJTiz), and the
Khonphapheng falls and Ban Hangkhon area (Champasak
Province; TDE in Cunningham 1998). One was reported from
a Vientiane market (Srikosamatara et al. 1992) but this should
not be taken to suggest that it still occurs in north Lao PDR.
There are many areas with apparently suitable habitat in which
the species has not been recorded recently, including Dong
Ampham, Xe Bang-Nouan and Phou Xiang Thong NBCAs,
and Dong Khanthung and Phou Kathong PNBCAs. This indicates
a considerable decline. All parakeets are harvested
for the cage-bird trade. This species is reportedly favoured
over others as it is the largest (Robichaud 1998e). Young are
also apparently eaten (Cunningham 1998). The record from
the north in Davidson (1998) was an editorial error.
Birds
Psittacula finschii Grey-headed Parakeet. Resident; north B4 ,
centre, south B2 . Open forests, secondary growth from lowlands
to hills and plateaux up to at least 900 m. As with other
parakeets, numbers of this species are depressed but even so
there remain several areas where flocks regularly exceed 50
birds (e.g. Nakai Plateau, Bolaven Plateau, Phou Xang He
NBCA). The historical status of the species in the north is
unclear but it seems now to be very scarce there. The species’s
conservation status should be reconsidered at regular
intervals. Special Significance: CITES Appendix II.
• Psittacula roseata Blossom-headed Parakeet. Conservation
Significance: Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES
Appendix II. Documented Range and Habitat: Resident; north
(R. Jelinek verbally 1999), centre (historically B22 ), south B2 .
Dry dipterocarp forest, including secondary areas, below 200
m. Status Information: Recent records come from only five
survey areas (Table 11). Flocks of up to 40 were seen in the
open areas of Xe Pian NBCA (including around Ban Sompoy)
and on the nearby Xe Kong plains in 1992-1998 (Thewlis et
al. 1996, Duckworth et al. 1998a; RJTiz), and in Dong
Khanthung PNBCA in 1998 (Round 1998), with smaller numbers
along the lower Xe Xou in February 1996 (provisionally;
Evans et al. in prep. a), on the Attapu plain (including
Phou Kathong PNBCA) in early 1997 (uncommon, biggest
flock five; Davidson et al. 1997) and at Ban Hangkhon
(Champasak Province; two in January 1997; Cunningham
1998). The only record from the north is of two over a Mekong
island near Sangthong on 31 December 1998 (R. Jelinek verbally
1999). The species was formerly abundant in western
Savannakhet Province, nesting in large colonies in open forest
(David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). Engelbach (1927, 1932)
recorded it from Pakxe, Attapu and Salavan, but considered
it rare. Many features indicate that this species is Potentially
At Risk in Lao PDR: the small flocks, limited altitudinal
range, restricted distribution (many fewer sites than Redbreasted
or Grey-headed Parakeets), apparent range contraction
(no recent records from central Lao PDR), and the ongoing
demand for parakeets as cage-birds.
Psittacula alexandri Red-breasted Parakeet. Resident;
north B1 , centre, south B2 . Deciduous forests and adjacent secondary
growth below 400 m; sometimes seen over adjacent
evergreen forest. Flocks exceeding 1000 still occur (e.g.
around Ban Hangkhon, Champasak Province, in November
1997; Cunningham 1998) but in most areas they rarely
number more than 20-30. This species has probably undergone
a major decline in numbers and some range contraction.
Its conservation status should be reconsidered at regular
intervals. Special Significance: CITES Appendix II.
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for
Parrots:
• Development and implementation of trade controls to
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