Trade in a small-range songbird, the Javan crocias, gives insight into the Asian Songbird Crisis

The Asian Songbird Crisis—the recognition that the cage bird trade is the number one threat to many songbirds—has focussed on either individual bird markets or specific taxa. We here show, through sustained monitoring, that even species that were not thought to be traded are also at risk from overexploitation. The Javan crocias Laniellus albonotatus is endemic to the montane forests of western Java–this remoteness was thought to be the reason why it had escaped from being at risk. We surveyed 21 bird markets over a 44-month period; the number of crocias recorded in markets (1.29 birds/survey) was negatively related to the distance to its habitat. The size of the bird market had no effect on the number of crocias we recorded. Prices (US26.70/bird), when corrected for inflation, did not change over 12 years suggesting supply can keep up with demand. Turnover is high (50 sold after 8 days), and we estimate the total trade at 1,200 to 1,500 birds/year. Legal protection of Javan crocias seen in isolation thus far is proven to be ineffective. A more inclusive approach where government bodies, conservation agencies and society participate, is needed to curb the trade in this and other imperiled songbirds.