| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | AVES | STRIGIFORMES | STRIGIDAE |
| Scientific Name: | Otus capnodes | |||||||||
| Species Authority: | (Gurney, 1889) | |||||||||
Common Name/s:
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| Red List Category & Criteria: | Critically Endangered B2ab(i,ii,iii,v);C2a(ii) ver 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Published: | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assessor/s: | BirdLife International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reviewer/s: | Symes, A., Butchart, S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributor/s: | Marsh, C., Green, K., Safford, R., Doulton, H. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Justification: This species is classified as Critically Endangered because it has a small population which is likely to be declining owing to continuing habitat destruction and degradation in its small range. Its prospects are currently uncertain as forest degradation advances on Anjouan. However, recent evidence suggests that it can adapt to human-affected forest areas where large trees remain, and recent fieldwork suggests that the population may be larger than previously feared. If further work confirms this the species may be eligible for downlisting. |
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| History: |
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| Range Description: | This species was rediscovered on Anjouan (= Ndzuani) in the Comoro Islands in June 1992, after an absence of records dating back to 1886. At least several tens of pairs, probably 100-200 pairs, were estimated to survive in 19995, and although a survey in 1995 produced a maximum estimate of only 96 individuals2, differences between these two estimates may be due to sampling techniques. Surveys in 2006 similarly found the bird to be abundant in suitable habitat and encouragingly found individuals in degraded habitats down to 300m, and it has also been sighted at sea level6,7 This survey estimates the population to be somewhere between the two previous estimates at 50-100 pairs7. Preliminary results from survey work begun in 2010 suggest that the species may be frequent in degraded forest, with habitat modelling giving a potential range of 93.4 km2: the total population may be significantly higher than previously thought, however further work is needed to confirm this8,9. |
| Countries: |
Native:
Comoros
|
| Range Map: | Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
| Population: | The population has been estimated at 50-100 pairs (C. Marsh in litt. 2007, 2009), hence the population is best placed in the band 50-249 mature individuals. |
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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| Habitat and Ecology: | It survives in remaining fragments of native upland forest, and appears to be dependent on large trees with cavities for nesting and roosting, usually on steep slopes3. However, there appear to be no areas of truly pristine native forest left on Anjouan, so this species must be able to tolerate some habitat degradation3, and recent fieldwork indicates that good numbers may persist in disturbed forest,6,7,8,9. It has been recorded perching in thick cover, 3-15 m from the ground1 and roosting 3-4m off the ground on the bottom branch of a tree fern6. Insects are believed to form at least part of its diet3. |
| Systems: | Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): | Habitat clearance for agriculture, timber extraction and charcoal manufacture is continuing1,4. Remaining habitat is becoming increasingly degraded through human disturbance and invasion by exotic plants such as Rubus rosifolius and Lantana camara3. Introduced black rat Rattus rattus is abundant in the forest, and may predate nests3. The introduced Common Myna Acridotheres tristis may compete for nest holes3,6,7. Severe cyclones are a regular threat to remaining forest fragments4. |
| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. Long-term, ongoing developments that will benefit wildlife in general include a family-planning programme, environmental education projects, and the formation of a non-governmentalenvironmental organisation (Ulanga)3. The UNDP, in partnership with the government, planned to implement a large-scale reserve covering Mount Ntingrui from around 2009. A participatory conservation project has been ongoing on Anjouan since 20086,8. Activities centre on improving livelihoods and agricultural productivity, helping communities to collectively manage their natural resources such as water, and monitoring biodiversity patterns across all three islands to help prioritise areas for wildlife protection. Research aiming to establish estimates of current population size and distribution, establish a long-term monitoring scheme and recommend conservation actions to assist the preservation of the species began in 20108. Conservation Actions Proposed As little is known of this species, baseline data on population size, distribution, habitat requirements, threats, ecology, and behaviour are required to establish reliable conservation measures. However, the species appears to be dependent on forest habitats, likely due to its need for tree cavities. Conservation measures proposed should thus focus on the conservation of forest ecosystems. This could be complemented with awareness raising for the species both nationally and internationally. Additional measures such as the provision of nest-boxes in secondary forest2 and establishing a captive population as insurance against extinction3 can be considered once more is known of the species's status and ecology. |
| Citation: | BirdLife International 2011. Otus capnodes. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012. |
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