Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

• Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite. Conservation Significance:
At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II. Documented Range
and Habitat: Resident; north (historically B12 ), centre
(historically B22 ), south B14 . Major rivers and adjacent open
land; formerly any open country, usually at low altitude. Status
Information: Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by
Thewlis et al. (1998). This species is still seen frequently
south of Pakxe along the Mekong and some of its tributaries
(e.g. the Nam Lepou, Dong Khanthung PNBCA; Round
1998), but the Lao population has collapsed. Only a few decades
ago it abounded across lowland south and central Lao
PDR, with occasional records from the north. Around Ban
Hangkhon (Champasak Province), the species is resident
(Cunningham 1998), in contrast to various other riverchannel
bird species.
• Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea Eagle (= Whitebellied
Fish Eagle, ^Sm). Conservation Significance: At Risk
in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II. Documented Range and
Habitat: Seasonal status unclear; south (historically B19 ). Large
wetlands. Status Information: Records prior to 1997 were
reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998). There are no recent records.
Formerly it was not rare along the southern Mekong
(Engelbach 1932). Delacour and Jabouille (1940) listed the
species for the whole of Lao PDR but we have traced no
primary sources for the north and centre.
• Ichthyophaga humilis (= Icthyophaga nana, ^K) Lesser
Fish Eagle. Conservation Significance: Globally Near-
Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II. Documented
Range and Habitat: Resident; north, centre, south B14 .
Forested wetlands, particularly larger rivers. Status Information:
Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al.
(1998). Small numbers persist in several major catchments
(in 13 recent survey areas; Table 11). Each group of birds
may be isolated from the others, and each, by nature of the
few birds it contains, is vulnerable to direct persecution, habitat
change and incidental disturbance. Important sites include
Phou Dendin, Dong Ampham and Xe Pian NBCAs and the
Nakai Plateau. The historical distribution is unclear; past
observers may have confused the two fish eagle species (see
Thewlis et al. 1998).
• Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus (= Icthyophaga ichthyaetus, ^K)
Grey-headed Fish Eagle. Conservation Significance: Globally
Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix
II. Documented Range and Habitat: Resident; north (provisionally,
Salter 1992a; historically, Oustalet 1899-1903),
centre (provisionally B14 ), south B14 . Forested wetlands, as
Lesser. Status Information: Records prior to 1997 were reviewed
by Thewlis et al. (1998). There are confirmed records
only from Xe Pian NBCA and Dong Khanthung PNBCA
(Round 1998, Thewlis et al. 1998), with provisional identifications
from two other areas important for Lesser Fish
Birds
Eagle: Phou Dendin NBCA and the Nakai Plateau. An unidentified
fish eagle was seen at Ban Hangkhon (Champasak
Province) in November 1997 (Cunningham 1998) and one
was reported from a Vientiane market (Srikosamatara et al.
1992; B. Siripholdej verbally 1999). As with Lesser Fish
Eagle, historical information is difficult to interpret. Delacour
and Jabouille (1940) recorded the species throughout Lao
PDR but we have traced no primary record for the centre.
• Gyps bengalensis White-rumped Vulture. Conservation
Significance: Globally Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR;
CITES Appendix II. Documented Range and Habitat: Resident;
north (historically B21 ), centre (historically B22 ), south B14 .
Open and lightly wooded country. Status Information:
Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998).
This species was historically widespread and common, but
recent records come only from southern Champasak and
Attapu Provinces. Numbers are small (the largest flock seen
recently comprised at least 11 birds). Most records are from
within or adjacent to proposed or existing NBCAs (Table
11), but the species has also been seen recently near Ban
Hangkhon (Champasak Province; Cunningham 1998) and
between Senamsai and Ban Sompoy (Xe Pian NBCA), Attapu
Province (6-17 in December 1997; Robichaud 1998e).
• Gyps indicus Long-billed Vulture. Conservation Significance:
Globally Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR;
CITES Appendix II. Documented Range and Habitat: Resident;
north (historically B21 ), centre (historically B22 ), south B14 .
Open and lightly wooded country. Status Information:
Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998).
This species was historically widespread and common but
recent records come only from southern Champasak and
Attapu Provinces. Numbers are small (the largest flock seen
recently contained at least ten). Most records are from within
or adjacent to proposed or existing NBCAs (Table 11), but
the species has also been seen recently near Ban Hangkhon
(Champasak Province; Cunningham 1998) and between
Senamsai and Ban Sompoy (Xe Pian NBCA), Attapu Province
(8-19 in December 1997; Robichaud 1998e).
[• Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture]. Conservation
Significance: Globally Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR;
CITES Appendix II. Documented Range and Habitat: Presumed
vagrant or scarce migrant; centre (provisionally, see
below). Open habitats. Status Information: There are no field
records, but one in Ban Keun Zoo reportedly came from
Savannakhet (N. Krathintong per RJTiz). The species may
be a sporadic visitor (there is a recent record from Cambodia;
O’Sullivan 1994), but it is clearly not common. Any
visiting birds are clearly At Risk in Lao PDR.
• Sarcogyps calvus Red-headed Vulture. Conservation Significance:
Globally Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao PDR;
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