Copsychus sechellarum

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	MUSCICAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Copsychus sechellarum

Species Authority:

Newton, 1865

Common Name/s:

English	–	Seychelles Magpie-robin, Seychelles Magpie-Robin
French	–	Merle dyal des Seychelles

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gerlach, J., Shah, N., Lucking, R., Parr, S., Skerrett, A., Millett, J., Rocamora, G., Bristol, R.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because its population is extremely small, although it is increasing, and has exceeded 50 mature individuals (the threshold for Critically Endangered) since 2000.

History:

2005	–	Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Copsychus sechellarum was orginally present on eight (possibly 13) islands²⁷ in the Seychelles, but in 1965, only 12-15 birds remained on Frégate¹. A small introduced population on Alphonse survived until about 1960²³. The Frégate population numbered c.40 birds in 1977/78, however by 1981 this had been reduced to c.20 birds, and numbers remained around this level until the 1990s²³. In 1994, following the advent of a recovery programme, the population had increased to 48, with two birds translocated to Aride. In 2000, following further translocations, the population reached 86 (comprising 46 on Frégate, 23 on Cousin, 15 on Cousine and two on Aride)^6,15. The population has continued to increase since 2000, with a total of 110 individuals in 2003¹⁷, 136 individuals in 2004 (including 90 mature individuals)¹⁸, and an estimated 150 in 2005¹⁹. In 2006, the population had increased to 178 birds (including 82 on Frégate, 46 on Cousin, 32 on Cousine and 18 on Aride)²⁵. Three of the four populations are now at carrying capacity, with only small population increases anticipated as habitat continues to improve¹⁹. However, one bird emigrated from Aride to Denis Island in August 2004^19,20, demonstrating that the species is capable of dispersing to peripheral cays.
Countries:	Native: Seychelles
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population in 2006 was 178 birds (including 82 on Frégate, 46 on Cousin, 32 on Cousine and 18 on Aride) (N. Shah in litt. 2006).
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Its original habitat was mature coastal forest which provided a rich feeding ground in the leaf-litter⁴. Today it forages in mature woodland on central plateaus, plantations and vegetable gardens. The preferred habitat structure includes a tall, closed canopy with a sparse understorey and ground vegetation but abundant leaf litter²⁷. It feeds predominantly on small soil invertebrates (c.95% of food items²⁴, mostly cockroaches²⁷), but fruit, fish dropped by tree-nesting terns^22,24, vertebrates, including skinks and geckos, eggs and human food scraps are also taken²⁴. Territories are 1-2.5 ha, depending on the habitat quality, and are held by dominant breeding pairs, which may tolerate the presence of related or unrelated subordinate birds²⁴. It breeds year-round, with a clutch-size of one²³ (rarely two)²⁴. Incubation takes 17-18 days²⁴. Nests are sited in holes in large trees or in the crowns of coconut palms. Reintroduced populations have suffered from a male-biased sex ratio, largely because of the higher mortality of adult females, the cause of which is unclear¹³. The juveniles of this long-lived species take between four weeks and three months after fledging to reach independence²⁴. Birds that survive to adulthood have a life expectancy of 6-10 years, though some are known to live for over 14 years, and for 17 years in one case²⁴.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Its original habitat was mature coastal forest which provided a rich feeding ground in the leaf-litter⁴. Today it forages in mature woodland on central plateaus, plantations and vegetable gardens. The preferred habitat structure includes a tall, closed canopy with a sparse understorey and ground vegetation but abundant leaf litter²⁷. It feeds predominantly on small soil invertebrates (c.95% of food items²⁴, mostly cockroaches²⁷), but fruit, fish dropped by tree-nesting terns^22,24, vertebrates, including skinks and geckos, eggs and human food scraps are also taken²⁴. Territories are 1-2.5 ha, depending on the habitat quality, and are held by dominant breeding pairs, which may tolerate the presence of related or unrelated subordinate birds²⁴. It breeds year-round, with a clutch-size of one²³ (rarely two)²⁴. Incubation takes 17-18 days²⁴. Nests are sited in holes in large trees or in the crowns of coconut palms. Reintroduced populations have suffered from a male-biased sex ratio, largely because of the higher mortality of adult females, the cause of which is unclear¹³. The juveniles of this long-lived species take between four weeks and three months after fledging to reach independence²⁴. Birds that survive to adulthood have a life expectancy of 6-10 years, though some are known to live for over 14 years, and for 17 years in one case²⁴.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	On Frégate, predation by cats may have caused the initial decline, but the population failed to recover after their eradication in the 1980s^4,23,24. The introduced population on Alphonse was wiped out in c.1960²³ following the introduction of cats in the 1950s²⁴. Predation by rats and habitat loss are also implicated in the species's decline²³. Declines in the quality and quantity of habitat on Frégate have been linked with the commercial production of crops such as banana and cocoplum²³. Factors compunding the species's recovery include: other introduced predators and competitors (Barn Owl Tyto alba^12,24, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis^5,23,24, black rat Rattus rattus²⁴, and brown rat Rattus norvegicus^3,24), the encroachment of dense cover and invasive plants following the abandonment of plantations^4,24, lack of abundant food close to nest-sites²³, pesticides (used to control insects in hotels and houses)^8,23, accidental mortality due to the species's inquisitive behaviour, and, on Aride, infection by pathogenic bacteria². Pesticides may be ingested when birds consume dead cockroaches, and this may have been causing the higher rates of adult mortality that have been noted near human habitation²³. Following the complete eradication of cats and rats on Frégate, the species was thought to be limited by its native predators, including the wright skink Trachylepis wrightii and snake species, which are nest predators and probably responsible for almost all egg and small chick losses²³. There is evidence that fewer invertebrates are found amongst alien leaf litter than under native trees²⁴. Future risks potentially include predator reintroduction and sea-level change²⁰. Introduced fungal diseases may have a detrimental effect on forest habitats, but may result in a net habitat gain as affected areas can be replanted with native species (the introduction of a vascular wilt disease to Frégate has not impacted the population there)^20,21.

Major Threat(s):

On Frégate, predation by cats may have caused the initial decline, but the population failed to recover after their eradication in the 1980s^4,23,24. The introduced population on Alphonse was wiped out in c.1960²³ following the introduction of cats in the 1950s²⁴. Predation by rats and habitat loss are also implicated in the species's decline²³. Declines in the quality and quantity of habitat on Frégate have been linked with the commercial production of crops such as banana and cocoplum²³. Factors compunding the species's recovery include: other introduced predators and competitors (Barn Owl Tyto alba^12,24, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis^5,23,24, black rat Rattus rattus²⁴, and brown rat Rattus norvegicus^3,24), the encroachment of dense cover and invasive plants following the abandonment of plantations^4,24, lack of abundant food close to nest-sites²³, pesticides (used to control insects in hotels and houses)^8,23, accidental mortality due to the species's inquisitive behaviour, and, on Aride, infection by pathogenic bacteria². Pesticides may be ingested when birds consume dead cockroaches, and this may have been causing the higher rates of adult mortality that have been noted near human habitation²³. Following the complete eradication of cats and rats on Frégate, the species was thought to be limited by its native predators, including the wright skink Trachylepis wrightii and snake species, which are nest predators and probably responsible for almost all egg and small chick losses²³. There is evidence that fewer invertebrates are found amongst alien leaf litter than under native trees²⁴. Future risks potentially include predator reintroduction and sea-level change²⁰. Introduced fungal diseases may have a detrimental effect on forest habitats, but may result in a net habitat gain as affected areas can be replanted with native species (the introduction of a vascular wilt disease to Frégate has not impacted the population there)^20,21.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway A scheme to eradicate feral cats was initiated on Frégate in the early 1980s, however, despite its success, the population of C. sechellarum stayed critically low for the remainder of the decade²³. A recovery programme was initiated in 1990⁹ and, since 1998, has been managed locally. Meetings of the Seychelles Magpie Robin Recovery Team happen twice a year on Praslin, involving stakeholders in reviewing and planning conservation efforts¹⁵; this has helped domestic financing, with the islands of Cousine, Cousin and Aride all funding their own monitoring work¹⁶. Translocations have taken place to four small, predator-free islands^7,16; habitat restoration activities are underway on several islands, but it may be several years before they are suitable for further translocations¹⁹. Nesting success has been boosted by habitat creation, supplementary feeding¹⁴, nest defence, provision of nest boxes, and reduction of A. tristis. Supplementary feeding was first initiated in the early 1990s to increase reproductive rate and the survival of young birds, however as the populations grew and habitat improved, it was phased out on Cousin in the 1990s and on Frégate and Cousine in 2001-2002²⁴. By 2007, supplementary feeding was still taking place on Aride where the population was introduced in 2002²⁸. Nest boxes are adapted to prevent predation by native predators. The populations of T. alba on Cousin, Cousine and Aride are controlled, however they are supplemented by immigration from Praslin²⁴. A. tristis has been eradicated on Aride and Cousin, leaving a controlled population on Frégate and a small population on Cousine. Brown rats were eliminated from Frégate in 2000. The use of insecticides (particularly containing organophosphates) on all islands where the species resides has been banned or is subject to a restricted use policy²⁴. Research has been conducted to establish alternatives for indoor insect control that are not toxic to birds²³ with pyrethrum-based insecticides and hydroponics systems now preferred²⁴. A genetic study is being carried out to investigate inbreeding³. Research on factors affecting territory quality, with implications for habitat management, is underway⁸. An integrated pest management programme is being implemented on Frégate⁹. Fieldwork in summer 2006 included a full population survey, the ringing of unringed birds and replacement of old rings²⁶. In addition, biometric measurements and blood samples were taken for molecular sexing and records. It was noted on Fregate in 2006 that habitat had continued to improve owing to management²⁶. There are future plans to transfer birds to Denis Island²⁵. North Island should be considered for future transfers since rats and cats have now been eradicated and forest habitats are being actively restored²⁸. Conservation Actions Proposed Identify at least three new islands for future translocations, eradicate introduced mammals and restore natural habitat^3,10. Establish self-sustaining breeding populations on at least seven islands by 2012²⁸. Resolve problems restricting establishment of this species on Aride³. Continue development of local expertise, ownership and management of the recovery programme¹¹. Develop a veterinary holding operation for emergency situations⁸. Translocate birds to Denis Island²⁵ and North Island²⁸.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
A scheme to eradicate feral cats was initiated on Frégate in the early 1980s, however, despite its success, the population of C. sechellarum stayed critically low for the remainder of the decade²³. A recovery programme was initiated in 1990⁹ and, since 1998, has been managed locally. Meetings of the Seychelles Magpie Robin Recovery Team happen twice a year on Praslin, involving stakeholders in reviewing and planning conservation efforts¹⁵; this has helped domestic financing, with the islands of Cousine, Cousin and Aride all funding their own monitoring work¹⁶. Translocations have taken place to four small, predator-free islands^7,16; habitat restoration activities are underway on several islands, but it may be several years before they are suitable for further translocations¹⁹. Nesting success has been boosted by habitat creation, supplementary feeding¹⁴, nest defence, provision of nest boxes, and reduction of A. tristis. Supplementary feeding was first initiated in the early 1990s to increase reproductive rate and the survival of young birds, however as the populations grew and habitat improved, it was phased out on Cousin in the 1990s and on Frégate and Cousine in 2001-2002²⁴. By 2007, supplementary feeding was still taking place on Aride where the population was introduced in 2002²⁸. Nest boxes are adapted to prevent predation by native predators. The populations of T. alba on Cousin, Cousine and Aride are controlled, however they are supplemented by immigration from Praslin²⁴. A. tristis has been eradicated on Aride and Cousin, leaving a controlled population on Frégate and a small population on Cousine. Brown rats were eliminated from Frégate in 2000. The use of insecticides (particularly containing organophosphates) on all islands where the species resides has been banned or is subject to a restricted use policy²⁴. Research has been conducted to establish alternatives for indoor insect control that are not toxic to birds²³ with pyrethrum-based insecticides and hydroponics systems now preferred²⁴. A genetic study is being carried out to investigate inbreeding³. Research on factors affecting territory quality, with implications for habitat management, is underway⁸. An integrated pest management programme is being implemented on Frégate⁹. Fieldwork in summer 2006 included a full population survey, the ringing of unringed birds and replacement of old rings²⁶. In addition, biometric measurements and blood samples were taken for molecular sexing and records. It was noted on Fregate in 2006 that habitat had continued to improve owing to management²⁶. There are future plans to transfer birds to Denis Island²⁵. North Island should be considered for future transfers since rats and cats have now been eradicated and forest habitats are being actively restored²⁸.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Identify at least three new islands for future translocations, eradicate introduced mammals and restore natural habitat^3,10. Establish self-sustaining breeding populations on at least seven islands by 2012²⁸. Resolve problems restricting establishment of this species on Aride³. Continue development of local expertise, ownership and management of the recovery programme¹¹. Develop a veterinary holding operation for emergency situations⁸. Translocate birds to Denis Island²⁵ and North Island²⁸.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Copsychus sechellarum. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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