Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
areas, bare areas within open deciduous forest, locally in
adjacent paddies and other cultivation; up to 1200 m.
Anthus hodgsoni Olive-backed Pipit (= Olive Tree Pipit, ^K).
Winter visitor; north, centre, south B2 . Forest openings, secondary
growth, wooded areas, especially evergreen and pinedominated
areas, upland cultivation; lowlands to highest
altitudes.
Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit. Winter visitor; north,
centre, south B2 . Cultivation, paddy-fields, usually near water,
mostly in lowlands but up to 1200 m. Records from prior
to 1994 are discussed in Thewlis et al. (1996).
• Ploceus philippinus Baya Weaver. Conservation Significance:
Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR. Documented Range
and Habitat: Resident; north B2 , centre (historically, potentially,
David-Beaulieu 1949-1950), south B2 . Dense waterside
vegetation with adjacent trees; lowlands. Status Information:
Records prior to 1994 were reviewed by Thewlis et al. (1996).
A prominent breeding colony in Pakxan (David-Beaulieu
1949-1950) is the only firm historical record. The lack of
others probably reflects the difficulties of identifying birds
in non-breeding plumage (see, e.g., David-Beaulieu 1949-
1950). Recent records are of small colonies in Xe Pian NBCA,
Vangviang and several sites along the southern Mekong
(Thewlis et al. 1996, Evans et al. in prep. a) and of birds in
Dong Khanthung PNBCA (up to 30 per day; Round 1998),
near Ban Thadua (Vientiane Municipality; small numbers in
1997-1998; RJTiz), and Nam Ghong Provincial PA (several
small flocks; RJTiz). None was seen in several visits to the
Pakxan wetlands. The few localities and low numbers of birds
may reflect ongoing loss of natural waterside shrubs and
marshland, trapping / persecution, and maybe other factors.
Nests are frequently seen in markets and as ornaments in
restaurants. Whether nest collection is problematical for the
birds is unknown. The species is best considered Potentially
At Risk in Lao PDR.
• Ploceus hypoxanthus Asian Golden Weaver. Conservation
Significance: Globally Near-Threatened; At Risk in Lao
PDR. Documented Range and Habitat: Resident; south B14 .
Well-vegetated pools in open woodland; lowlands. Status
Information: Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis
et al. (1998). The species was first found (albeit provisionally)
in March 1993 in Xe Pian NBCA, and breeding was
confirmed in 1996 in Dong Khanthung PNBCA; these remain
the only areas with records. The Dong Khanthung population
is clearly of high national significance: Round (1998)
had a minimum of 30 breeding pairs at 12 different pools.
Birds were associated with sedge beds around the less disturbed
or larger pools, but distribution was very patchy, and
birds were absent from many apparently suitable sites.
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Erythrura prasina Pin-tailed Parrotfinch. Resident but seminomadic;
north, centre B14 . Evergreen forest and mature
regrowth, particularly areas with extensive flowering bamboo;
rank streamside herbs within forest, up to at least 1100
m. Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Thewlis et al.
(1998). In view of the species’s apparently secure status (large
flocks found in two survey areas, smaller numbers in two
others) and lack of apparent threats, it was dropped from the
recommended list of key species. Subsequently, a flock of
over 60 was seen in Nam Xam NBCA (Showler et al. 1998b).
The species is sometimes seen in temples for release (see
Introduction): dozens were seen at Vangviang (Vientiane
Province) in 1997 and at That Luang (Vientiane town) in
1997 and 1998 (TDE, WGR).
Lonchura striata White-rumped Munia. Resident; north,
centre, south B2 . Open forest, secondary growth, scrub, cultivation,
open parts of towns; up to at least 1580 m.
Lonchura punctulata Scaly-breasted Munia. Resident;
north, centre, south B2 . Cultivation, secondary growth, scrub,
grass, paddy-fields, river sediments exposed during dry season;
up to at least 1200 m.
• Lonchura malacca Black-headed Munia (= Chestnut
Munia, ^K, ^T). Conservation Significance: Little Known in
Lao PDR. Documented Range and Habitat: Presumed resident;
north (historically B18 ), south (historically, provisionally,
Engelbach 1927). Habitat use unknown in Lao PDR, but likely
to be non-forest lowlands in vicinity of wet areas. Status Information:
Historically the species was found near Ban
Muangyo, Phongsali Province (one male collected 17 May;
Bangs and Van Tyne 1931) and perhaps in the Muang Taoy
region of Xekong Province (Engelbach 1927). As the latter
record is not included in Engelbach’s (1932) final synthesis
of his southern Lao observations it is treated here as provisional.
The lack of recent records suggests that the species
has declined, but the reasons for this are not obvious; it should
be regarded as Little Known in Lao PDR.
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for
Weavers and munias:
• Conservation of adequate areas of vegetated wetland
habitat, specifically for Asian Golden Weaver in Xe Pian
NBCA and Dong Khanthung PNBCA.
• Control over capture and trade in weavers and
parrotfinches.
• Identification of key breeding areas (especially weaver
colonies) and instigation of locally-organised protective
measures.
• Local awareness raising activities in weaver breeding
areas.
• Field investigation and possibly control of levels of