Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
prevent over-exploitation in the pet trade, lest all species
become as scarce as Alexandrine. Parakeets (notably Redbreasted)
are among the birds most commonly kept as
pets in Lao PDR and international trade occurs (e.g. La-
Ong et al. 1997). Most wild flocks observed recently were
relatively small, even in the most remote areas which
presumably support the least harvested populations.
• Complete legal protection of Alexandrine and Blossomheaded
Parakeets.
• Identification and protection of important nesting areas,
particularly the parts of Champasak and Attapu Provinces
supporting Alexandrine, Blossom-headed and Redbreasted
Parakeet.
• Assessment of levels of parakeet-human conflict: parakeets
are reported as crop pests in some rural areas, particularly
in the south (Baird 1993, Table 2).
• Awareness-raising campaigns and consideration of use
in eco-tourism of large parakeet flocks.
Apodidae: Swifts (8 species)
Collocalia brevirostris (= Aerodramus brevirostris ^T)
Himalayan Swiftlet (separated as C. rogersi Indochinese
Swiftlet by ^Sm). Breeding and seasonal status unclear;
north B13 . The Lao status of swiftlets is unclear: field identification
to species is difficult and historical data are ambiguous
(see Thewlis et al. 1996). Swiftlets occur in the north,
centre and south (Thewlis et al. 1996), primarily in or near
areas of limestone hills, often over open areas. Observations
in different months in a given area reveal complex patterns
of seasonal occurrence. Swiftlet nests are reportedly collected
for human consumption from caves in Nam Et and Phou
Louey NBCAs (A. Guillén in litt. 1998), although the species
involved and season are not known. C. b. innominata
may also occur, as a winter visitor (C. R. Robson in litt. 1999).
Collocalia germani Germain’s Swiftlet (= German’s
Swiftlet, ^Sm); (included in C. fuciphaga, ^K; Aerodramus
fuciphaga ^T Edible-nest Swiftlet). Presumed resident;
centre B17 . Confidently identified in the field in Hin Namno
NBCA in early 1998 (PD in Walston in prep.). See also C.
brevirostris.
Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail. Passage
migrant; north B2 , centre (WCS 1996a). Over all habitats.
Hirundapus cochinchinensis Silver-backed Needletail (=
White-vented Needletail, ^K, ^T). Seasonal status unclear,
presumed breeder; north, centre, south B2 . Over all habitats.
Hirundapus giganteus Brown-backed Needletail (= Brown
Needletail, ^K, ^T). Presumed breeder, making local movements;
north, centre, south B2 . Over all habitats.
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Cypsiurus balasiensis (= C. batasiensis, ^K) Asian Palm
Swift. Resident; north, centre, south B2 . Open scrub, villages
and towns in the vicinity of mature palms, some dispersing
to feed over mature forest; predominantly in lowlands, but
up to at least 1250 m.
Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift (= Pacific Swift, ^T).
Breeder, making complex local movements B9 ; north, centre,
south B2 . Over all habitats, probably commonest in regions
with cliffs, caves and other roosting sites.
Apus affinis House Swift (separated as A. nipalensis House
Swift by ^Sm). Breeder, making complex local movements;
north, centre, south B2 . Flocks usually over towns, water or
limestone areas; birds occasionally turn up over any open
areas. Occurs up to at least 1080 m.
Hemiprocnidae: Treeswifts (1 species)
Hemiprocne coronata Crested Treeswift. Resident; north B1 ,
centre (historically B22 ), south B2 . Principally in open deciduous
forest, locally in adjacent forest edge and secondary
growth, usually below 500 m, occasionally up to 1000 m.
Lao records prior to 1996 were reviewed in Duckworth
(1996a).
Tytonidae: Barn owls (2 species)
• Tyto alba Barn Owl. Conservation Significance: Little
Known in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II. Documented Range
and Habitat: Resident; north B6 , centre (Robinson and Webber
1998a), south B11 . Cultivated areas, dry dipterocarp forest and
limestone karst. No recent records from towns although these
are occupied in adjacent countries. Status Information: There
are very few recent field records (Table 11). One was found
dead in a cave in Khammouan Limestone NBCA in early
1998 (Robinson and Webber 1998a). One was heard on two
successive nights in Dong Khanthung PNBCA in 1998
(Round 1998). Other recent records are of captives: two (close
to fledging) in the market at Ban Lak (52) in 1996; pet adults
in a Louang-Namtha restaurant in 1997 and in Vientiane in
1996; and two unfledged young in Vientiane collected from
‘somewhere outside Vientiane’ in 1996 (Tizard et al. 1997;
RJTiz, PD, RJTim). There is very little information available
on origins of captive birds. Two in Vientiane were taken from
a nest in a rocky crevice in Gnommolat, Khammouan Province
in 1998 (C. Alton verbally 1999). A fledgling in a village
house on the Xe Set Plateau in early 1999 was the only
survivor of a family of 3-4 collected 1-2 months previously.
The tree was felled to collect the young, after the adults were
seen carrying food to it (KK). A captive was seen near the
Khonphapheng Falls, Champasak Province in February 1998