Dicrurus waldenii

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	DICRURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Dicrurus waldenii

Species Authority:

Schlegel, 1866

Common Name/s:

English	–	Mayotte Drongo
French	–	Drongo de Mayotte

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,v);D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Louette, M., Rocamora, G. & Safford, R.

Justification:
This species occurs at a greater number of locations than was once thought, however there has been a continuing reduction in the extent and quality of habitat and it has a very small breeding range rendering it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable.

History:

2010	–	Vulnerable
2008	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Dicrurus waldenii occurs sparsely and locally on Mayotte (to France) in the Comoro island group. It is fairly widespread in the humid northern and western parts of the island, but may have a restricted ability to disperse between patches. It is found commonly over 200 m around Mts Hachiroungou, Mtsapéré, Combani and Bénara, Sohoa Forest, and at lower altitude along the west coast. It is also found at lower densities in areas of degraded habitats between the four mountains, and in mangroves at Dzoumonyé-Bouyouni, Miréréni-Chirongui and Tsingoni-Mroale-Soulou. It is absent from the entire southern peninsula, Mt Choungui and the lowland dry forests of Dapani-Sazilé (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Research up to 1994 showed it to be more abundant than Grand Comoro Drongo D. fuscipennis, with a population of at least 100 individuals (Louette et al. 1993, M. Louette in litt. 1999, Stevens and Louette 1999). However, point counts and surveys of density conducted in 2002-2004, indicate a minimum population size of 2,500 pairs (Rocamora 2004).
Countries:	Native: Mayotte
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Point counts and surveys of density conducted in 2002-2004, indicate a minimum population size of 2,500 pairs or 5,000 mature individuals, roughly equivalent to 7,500 individuals in total.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs at the margins of evergreen forest (Benson 1960), in secondary forest, thickets and plantations (Safford and Evans 1992), and also on the coast in mangroves and littoral woodland (Louette et al. 1993, R. Safford in litt. 1999, Safford 2001). It also occurs at low densities in areas with forest patches alternating with Ylang-ylang plantations, orchards, forest clearings and agricultural fields (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Recent research suggests that the species prefers higher altitude, possibly wet, locations and is more abundant in larger forest patches, and those with a higher percentage cover of tall trees (Stevens and Louette 1999). It is insectivorous, and cicadas make up almost half of the prey items taken (del Hoyo et al. 2009). It may also take small vertebrates, although this is yet to be recorded (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Nesting has been observed between September and February. The nest is a solid round cup made of intertwined plant fibres built on a fork in a variety of tree species. It has a clutch-size of one-three eggs (del Hoyo et al. 2009). The incubation period is 19-21 days, followed by a fledging period of 17-25 days (M. Louette in litt. 2007, del Hoyo et al. 2009). Juveniles are dependent for one month after fledging and then remain with their parents until the start of the next breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 2009).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs at the margins of evergreen forest (Benson 1960), in secondary forest, thickets and plantations (Safford and Evans 1992), and also on the coast in mangroves and littoral woodland (Louette et al. 1993, R. Safford in litt. 1999, Safford 2001). It also occurs at low densities in areas with forest patches alternating with Ylang-ylang plantations, orchards, forest clearings and agricultural fields (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Recent research suggests that the species prefers higher altitude, possibly wet, locations and is more abundant in larger forest patches, and those with a higher percentage cover of tall trees (Stevens and Louette 1999). It is insectivorous, and cicadas make up almost half of the prey items taken (del Hoyo et al. 2009). It may also take small vertebrates, although this is yet to be recorded (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Nesting has been observed between September and February. The nest is a solid round cup made of intertwined plant fibres built on a fork in a variety of tree species. It has a clutch-size of one-three eggs (del Hoyo et al. 2009). The incubation period is 19-21 days, followed by a fledging period of 17-25 days (M. Louette in litt. 2007, del Hoyo et al. 2009). Juveniles are dependent for one month after fledging and then remain with their parents until the start of the next breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 2009).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Deforestation for cultivation and timber is probably the greatest threat given that Mayotte's dense human population is growing steadily and the majority are involved in traditional food cultivation (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Furthermore, the network of reserves protecting its range do not have formal protection under French law (G. Rocamora in litt. 2010). The mangroves around Baie de Bouéni are threatened by heavy sediment loads from the deforested interior. Devastating cyclones seem to occur about every ten years (Louette et al. 1988, Safford 2001). The potential introduction of new nest predators is an important threat, and nest failure due to predation may already be as high as 75% (del Hoyo et al. 2009).

Major Threat(s):

Deforestation for cultivation and timber is probably the greatest threat given that Mayotte's dense human population is growing steadily and the majority are involved in traditional food cultivation (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Furthermore, the network of reserves protecting its range do not have formal protection under French law (G. Rocamora in litt. 2010). The mangroves around Baie de Bouéni are threatened by heavy sediment loads from the deforested interior. Devastating cyclones seem to occur about every ten years (Louette et al. 1988, Safford 2001). The potential introduction of new nest predators is an important threat, and nest failure due to predation may already be as high as 75% (del Hoyo et al. 2009).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Although forest cover has declined (6,000 ha, 25% of Mayotte's forests, disappeared between 1949 and 2002), a network of forest reserves totalling c.4770 ha now covers all remaining natural forests (del Hoyo et al. 2009). The most important of these for D. waldenii are probably Combani (3 km²), Majimbini (13 km²), Dzoumonyé (4 km²), Tchaourembo, Voundzé, and Hajangoua (Safford 2001). A bird monitoring scheme began in 2008 initiated by the Direction de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable of the Collectivité de Mayotte, which should soon provide the first population trend for the species (G. Rocamora in litt. 2010). Conservation Actions Proposed Continue field surveys to establish the population, range and status of the species. Monitor the population through regular surveys. Study the species's ecology. Investigate possible limiting factors. Draw up conservation plans. Develop an environmental education programme to alleviate inevitable increases in pressure on remaining native habitat, and use the species as a flagship symbol of the need to preserve forest (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Enforce protection of forest reserves.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Although forest cover has declined (6,000 ha, 25% of Mayotte's forests, disappeared between 1949 and 2002), a network of forest reserves totalling c.4770 ha now covers all remaining natural forests (del Hoyo et al. 2009). The most important of these for D. waldenii are probably Combani (3 km²), Majimbini (13 km²), Dzoumonyé (4 km²), Tchaourembo, Voundzé, and Hajangoua (Safford 2001). A bird monitoring scheme began in 2008 initiated by the Direction de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable of the Collectivité de Mayotte, which should soon provide the first population trend for the species (G. Rocamora in litt. 2010).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue field surveys to establish the population, range and status of the species. Monitor the population through regular surveys. Study the species's ecology. Investigate possible limiting factors. Draw up conservation plans. Develop an environmental education programme to alleviate inevitable increases in pressure on remaining native habitat, and use the species as a flagship symbol of the need to preserve forest (del Hoyo et al. 2009). Enforce protection of forest reserves.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Dicrurus waldenii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 June 2013.
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