Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
Status Information: Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by
Thewlis et al. (1998). It is unclear whether there has been a
major decline. Observations come from ten recent survey
areas (Table 11) and other incidental sites. These come nowhere
near matching one past count, of thousands along the
Xe Banghiang (David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). There is probably
a complex pattern of seasonal occurrence at individual
sites. The record in Showler et al. (1998b) was on the Xe
Kong west of Phou Ahyon and the Dakchung Plateau and 20
km south of Xe Sap NBCA.
Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow. Winter visitor;
north B2 , centre B9 , south B2 . Largely in open country, especially
near wide rivers. Records from prior to 1994 were reviewed
by Thewlis et al. (1996).
Hirundo striolata Striated Swallow (included in H. daurica
Red-rumped Swallow by ^K, ^T). Resident; north, centre,
south B2 . Rugged country with exposed cliffs in both limestone
and non-calcareous regions. Records from prior to 1994
were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1996).
Delichon urbica Northern House Martin (= Common House
Martin, ^K, ^T). Winter visitor; north (historically B21 ),
centre B9 , south (historically B19 ). The few recent records were
of small numbers in flocks of mixed hirundines over pools
and agricultural land on the Nakai Plateau. Records prior to
1996 were reviewed by Duckworth et al. (1998a). The
absence of historical records of Asian House Martin, which
recent records show to be much commoner than Northern,
suggests that re-examination of any historical house martin
specimens (which were all identified as Northern) that can
be traced would be desirable.
Delichon dasypus Asian House Martin. Winter visitor;
north B1 , centre B10 , south B5 . Forests, open wooded country,
around villages, especially in hilly and mountainous areas,
but locally over the Mekong plain. First recorded for Lao
PDR in 1994 (Evans and Timmins 1998). Field characters of
birds in Lao PDR were discussed by Duckworth et al. (1998a).
Delichon nipalensis Nepal House Martin. Presumed resident;
north B9 , south B2 . Escarpments and limestone karst, feeding
over adjacent flatlands. First recorded in 1993 (Thewlis
et al. 1996). Records prior to 1996 were reviewed by
Duckworth et al. (1998a). Subsequently the species has been
seen around limestone karst near Vangviang, a substantial
northward extension of its known distribution in Lao PDR
(RJTim).
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for Swallows
and martins:
• Habitat conservation, with special attention to Plain
Martin and Wire-tailed Swallow.
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• Field investigation of causes behind the undoubted decline
in Plain Martin; egg collecting from colonies could
perhaps be a contributory cause, although there is no direct
evidence (but see Pied Kingfisher and Blue-tailed
Bee-eater).
• Location and monitoring of breeding colonies of Plain
Martin. These are currently known only from the Mekong
in Louangphabang Province and in Sangthong District.
Pycnonotidae: Bulbuls (17 species)
Spizixos canifrons Crested Finchbill. Resident; north B6 .
Forest edge, scrub, grass and secondary growth above 1200
m.
Pycnonotus striatus Striated Bulbul. Resident; north B13 ,
centre (WCS 1996a). Evergreen forests and secondary growth
above 1200 m.
Pycnonotus atriceps Black-headed Bulbul. Resident; north,
centre, south B2 . Evergreen forest, secondary growth, riverine
forest, generally below 800 m.
Pycnonotus melanicterus Black-crested Bulbul. Resident;
north, centre, south B2 . Evergreen forest and forest edge, mature
secondary growth, dense scrub up to at least 1250 m.
Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul. Resident; north,
centre, south B2 . Cultivation, villages, towns, secondary
growth, forest edge up to at least 1600 m. Often rather
locally distributed in natural habitats but abundant in
degraded ones.
Pycnonotus sinensis Light-vented Bulbul (= Chinese
Bulbul, ^T). Presumed winter migrant; north (TDE). Sole
Lao record came from lowland limestone scrub. First recorded
for Lao PDR in 1999 near the southern tip of Nam Kading
NBCA (TDE), when one bird of race P. s. sinensis was seen.
Pycnonotus xanthorrhous Brown-breasted Bulbul. Resident;
north B8 . Scrub, secondary growth and rank grassland
above 1020 m. Records prior to 1996 were reviewed by
Duckworth et al. (1998a).
Pycnonotus aurigaster Sooty-headed Bulbul. Resident;
north B9 , centre B10 , south B2 . Dry dipterocarp and other open
forest, its secondary derivatives, scrub and tall grass; up to at
least 1560 m.
Pycnonotus finlaysoni Stripe-throated Bulbul. Resident;
north, centre, south B2 . Degraded forest, secondary growth,
scrub, chiefly in lowlands and foothills.