Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
in 12 recent survey areas (Table 11) in several of which it is
locally common. In central Lao PDR it appears to have narrow
habitat requirements, suggesting sensitivity to encroachment
of forest, but in the north this is not so. The reason for
this difference is not clear.
Alcippe dubia Rusty-capped Fulvetta (included in A.
brunnea Brown-capped Fulvetta by ^K, ^T). Resident;
north B8 , centre B10 , south B3 . Understorey of evergreen forest
and secondary growth, occasionally scrub; mainly above 1500
m.
Alcippe poioicephala Brown-cheeked Fulvetta. Resident;
north B1 , centre B16 . Evergreen forest, secondary growth, dense
scrub, bamboo and, locally, thick grass; lowlands to at least
1050 m. Records prior to 1996 were reviewed by Duckworth
et al. (1998a).
Alcippe peracensis Mountain Fulvetta. Resident; centre,
south B2 . Evergreen forest and adjacent secondary growth over
a wide altitudinal range. Two forms occur and are widely
geographically sympatric although they are separated by altitude;
one (A. p. grotei) occurs primarily below 400 m but
locally to at least 800 m, the other (A. p. annamensis) occurs
primarily above 900 m, but perhaps locally lower. Records
prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998). In view
of the species’s apparently secure status, it was dropped from
the recommended list of key species. Differences in habitat
use between the two forms are discussed in Thewlis et al.
(1996). Both forms are widespread. A. (p.) grotei occurs south
from Hin Namno and Phou Xang He NBCAs to Xe Pian and
Dong Ampham NBCAs. A. p. annamensis occurs at high densities
in both the southern Annamites and on the Bolaven
Plateau. The forms are best considered as separate species,
A. peracensis Mountain Fulvetta and A. grotei Black-browed
Fulvetta (C. R. Robson verbally 1998). They differ in morphology
and vocalisations, and are separated altitudinally in
both Lao PDR and Vietnam. Special Significance: Endemic
to Indochina, south-east Thailand and montane parts of the
Malay Peninsula.
Alcippe morrisonia Grey-cheeked Fulvetta. Resident; north,
centre B10 . Evergreen forest and tall secondary growth, also
mature scrub above 600 m.
Heterophasia annectans (= H. annectens, ^K, ^Sm, ^T)
Rufous-backed Sibia. Resident; north B7 , south B3 . Evergreen
forest and secondary growth above 1000 m.
Heterophasia melanoleuca Black-headed Sibia. Resident;
north B6 , south B3 . Evergreen forest and secondary growth
above 800 m. One in Nam Ha NBCA, in bamboo and rattan
at 1800 m, in March 1997 (Tizard et al. 1997; RJTiz) is the
first sight record for Lao PDR (and indeed east of the Mekong)
152
of H. melanoleuca (s. s.) ‘Black-backed Sibia’. The form was
heard widely in evergreen forest and secondary growth from
1,300 m to at least 1,800 m in February and March 1997
(PD). Records from the Bolaven Plateau (Engelbach 1932)
relate to engelbachi, which falls within H. desgodinsi ‘Blackheaded
Sibia’, probably better regarded as a separate species
(Inskipp et al. 1996; C. R. Robson verbally 1998). Those
from the Phou Ahyon area (Timmins and Vongkhamheng
1996a) were not collected but may represent an undescribed
race allied to H. (m.) desgodinsi. Special Significance: H.
melanoleuca (s.s.) is endemic to Myanmar, north and west
Thailand and north Lao PDR; H. (m.) desgodinsi extends from
south Lao PDR and southern Vietnam north into central
China.
Heterophasia picaoides Long-tailed Sibia. Resident;
north B13 , centre B10 , south B3 . Evergreen forest and occasionally
mixed deciduous forest above 950 m.
Yuhina castaniceps Striated Yuhina. Resident; north B10 ,
centre B7 , south B12 . Evergreen and mixed deciduous forest,
secondary growth and scrub; above 910 m, exceptionally
down to 400 m.
Yuhina flavicollis Whiskered Yuhina. Resident; north,
centre B14 . Evergreen forest and secondary growth, generally
above 1500 m, occasionally down to 1000 m. Records prior
to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1998). In view of
the species’s apparently secure status, it was dropped from
the recommended list of key species.
• Yuhina gularis Stripe-throated Yuhina. Conservation Significance:
Little Known in Lao PDR. Documented Range
and Habitat: Resident; north (historically B21 ). Evergreen forest
above 2500 m. Status Information: The only records are
from Phou Bia (Xiangkhouang Province) where it was very
common over its limited altitudinal range (David-Beaulieu
1944). The lack of recent records indicates that the species
should be regarded as Little Known in Lao PDR.
Yuhina nigrimenta Black-chinned Yuhina. Resident;
north B10 , centre B7 . Evergreen forest and secondary growth at
700-1450 m.
Yuhina zantholeuca White-bellied Yuhina. Resident; north,
centre, south B2 . Evergreen forest and mature secondary
growth up to at least 1350 m; the only yuhina widespread in
the lowlands.
Paradoxornis gularis Grey-headed Parrotbill. Resident;
north B9 , centre B10 , south B3 . Evergreen forest and adjacent
mature secondary growth at 800-1600 m.