The latest IUCN list shows that the newly discovered small and colourful bird, Bugun Liocichla, from the northeast, is now critically endangered, as compared to the earlier safer status of vulnerable. Moreover, based on studies conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)-India, BirdLife International (UK) and other partner organizations, eight other bird species have now entered the threatened list, a statement issued by the BNHS on Saturday said.

The eight species of birds newly added to the list are woolly-necked stork, Andaman teal (both uplisted from least concern to vulnerable), Andaman green pigeon, ashy-headed green pigeon, red-headed falcon, Himalayan griffon, bearded vulture and yunnan nuthatch (all uplisted from least concern to near threatened). When a species is "uplisted", it means it has moved up the threatened ladder.

In an earlier revision of the IUCN list in November 2013, five species had been added to the threatened list, which includes great stone plover, Alexandrine parakeet, grey-headed parakeet, blossom-headed parakeet and red-breasted parakeet.

Bugun liocichla, first described by modern science in the 1990s, has till now been reported from a few areas such as Eaglenest Sanctuary and Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh. It may exist in other areas of the state and some neighbouring areas of Bhutan and China. The woolly-necked stork, although found in most parts of India, is facing rapid population decline. The Andaman teal is found only on the Great Coco Island and Andaman Islands with less than 1,000 recorded till now. The Andaman green pigeon is also endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands and a couple of thousand individuals may exist. The ashy-headed green pigeon is confined to the northeastern states of India. The red-headed falcon is still found in declining numbers in most parts of India (except the Himalayan ranges) and several neighbouring countries. But it has disappeared from many areas and in Pakistan it has declined partly due to the falconry .

Found only in the Himalayan ranges, the Himalayan griffon is likely to decline further due to the impact of diclofenac use in livestock, as in the case of several other vulture species. The bearded vulture or lammergeyer is also found in the Himalayan ranges in India and similar habitats in parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. It has been facing moderately rapid population decline. The Yunnan nuthatch found in Yunnan province of China, has been recorded only in Arunachal Pradesh. Habitat loss from factors such as infrastructure development and forest fires and poaching and use of chemicals are jeopardizing the existence of these and other threatened species.

Worldwide phenomenon

A similar situation exists globally with 13% of all bird species on the threatened list. Moreover, from among the 350 species, newly recognized and assessed the world over by BirdLife International and IUCN, over 25% have been listed as threatened.

Species such as belem curassow from Brazil and desertas petrel from Madeira Islands have been listed as threatened. In the case of the blue-bearded helmetcrest, a beautiful hummingbird from Colombia, it may already be too late, as the species has not been seen for nearly 70 years. The Somali ostrich, which is found in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, is now recognised as a distinct species and listed as vulnerable. Its population is thought to be in rapid decline because of hunting and egg-collection. The latest IUCN study also helps identify the places most important for birds, which needs urgent protection.

Several areas of southeast Asia are still expected to host extremely rare and endemic species such as Sangihe Dwarf Kingfisher and Cebu Brown Dove and many others not yet documented. Newly recognised species such as Javan flameback and Javan blue-banded kingfisher are now severely threatened. These areas need immediate conservation attention to protect the remaining habitat.