Saxicola dacotiae

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:

Saxicola dacotiae

Species Authority:

(Meade-Waldo, 1889)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Canary Chat, Canary Islands Bush Chat, Canary Islands Chat, Canary Islands Stonechat, Fuerteventura Stonechat

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Arcos, J., Illera, J., Iñigo, A., Nicolai, B. & Oro, D.

Justification:
This species has a moderately small population which approaches the threshold for classification as Vulnerable. It also has a very small range, which is in decline owing to ongoing habitat loss and degradation; however, its population is not severely fragmented, nor is it restricted to 10 locations or fewer. For these reasons it is listed as Near Threatened.

History:

2011	–	Near Threatened
2010	–	Endangered
2008	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Saxicola dacotiae is endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain, where it breeds only on Fuerteventura (with occasional records from southern Lanzarote) (Martín and Lorenzo 2001). The subspecies murielae formerly occurred on the islands of Alegranza (where it was fairly common) and Montaña Clara, but these it went extinct in the first half of the 20th century due to a combination of natural factors and predation by introduced mammals (Bibby and Hill 1987, Martín and Lorenzo 2001, Illera et al. 2006). Its population was estimated at 650-850 breeding pairs in 1985 (Bibby and Hill 1987). More recent observations indicate that the current figure may be higher, but this almost certainly reflects differing survey methods, rather than a real increase in numbers. The extrapolation of survey results obtained in 2005-2006 put the population at 14,436 individuals (95% CI: 13,376-15,492) (Seoane et al. 2010). Studies involving more recent fieldwork have provided much lower estimates of 1,035 individuals (95% CI: 832-1,287) (Garcia-del-Rey 2009), which may be an underestimate owing to the methods used (Seoane et al. 2010), and 550-950 pairs, which may have been affected by drought conditions during part of the study period (Nicolai 2010; B. Nicolai in litt. 2011). Further research, involving comprehensive fieldwork, is required in order to obtain a more accurate population estimate. Optimal habitat continues to be impacted by rapid development for tourism, although its rate may have decreased in recent years, and it is likely that the population has declined since 1985, and continues to do so as predation by introduced mammals and excessive grazing continues and increases (Illera 2004; A. Iñigo in litt. 2011).
Countries:	Native: Spain (Canary Is.); Spain (Canary Is.)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The extrapolation of survey results obtained in 2005-2006 suggests a population size of 14,436 individuals (95% CI: 13,376-15,492), although this figure may be optimistic. Studies involving more recent fieldwork have provided much lower estimates of 1,035 individuals (95% CI: 832-1,287), which may be an underestimate owing to the methods used, and 550-950 pairs, which may have been affected by drought conditions during part of the study period (B. Nicolai in litt. 2011). Until further research is carried out, an estimate of 13,400-15,500 individuals is used here, roughly equivalent to 8,900-10,000 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

The extrapolation of survey results obtained in 2005-2006 suggests a population size of 14,436 individuals (95% CI: 13,376-15,492), although this figure may be optimistic. Studies involving more recent fieldwork have provided much lower estimates of 1,035 individuals (95% CI: 832-1,287), which may be an underestimate owing to the methods used, and 550-950 pairs, which may have been affected by drought conditions during part of the study period (B. Nicolai in litt. 2011). Until further research is carried out, an estimate of 13,400-15,500 individuals is used here, roughly equivalent to 8,900-10,000 mature individuals.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found on rocky hillsides and "barranco" (= ravine) habitats with shrubby vegetation cover (Illera 2001), typically of aulaga Launaea arborescens, saltwort Salsola vermiculata and box-thorn Lycium intricatum. These habitats support a high abundance of invertebrates, and provide suitable nesting sites and perches from which the species can forage for arthropods (Illera 2001). It also occurs on the edge of vegetated "malpaíses" (= lava flows), dry and flowing watercourses, cultivated areas and gardens (Martín and Lorenzo 2001). Individuals appear to show strong site fidelity, potentially as a consequence of low spatial variance in the habitat characteristics determining reproductive success (Illera and Díaz in press).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is found on rocky hillsides and "barranco" (= ravine) habitats with shrubby vegetation cover (Illera 2001), typically of aulaga Launaea arborescens, saltwort Salsola vermiculata and box-thorn Lycium intricatum. These habitats support a high abundance of invertebrates, and provide suitable nesting sites and perches from which the species can forage for arthropods (Illera 2001). It also occurs on the edge of vegetated "malpaíses" (= lava flows), dry and flowing watercourses, cultivated areas and gardens (Martín and Lorenzo 2001). Individuals appear to show strong site fidelity, potentially as a consequence of low spatial variance in the habitat characteristics determining reproductive success (Illera and Díaz in press).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Recent rapid increases in infrastructural development, such as tourist and residential centres, road building, industrial plants, mineral operations and golf courses, are destroying the habitat of this species (particularly on the Jandía peninsula in the south of Fuerteventura) (Illera 2004). Additional threats include excessive and increasing livestock grazing (A. Iñigo in litt. 2011), including cattle and extensively-ranched, semi-feral "coastal" goats (which accelerates desertification and reduces vegetation cover and food availability (Illera and Díaz 2006)), and nest predation by feral cats Felis catus (Medina and Nogales 2009) and other introduced mammals, such as rats Rattus spp. (Illera 2004; Illera and Díaz 2006). High fidelity to particular sites may exacerbate the problem of the destruction and degradation of optimal habitats (Illera and Díaz in press).

Major Threat(s):

Recent rapid increases in infrastructural development, such as tourist and residential centres, road building, industrial plants, mineral operations and golf courses, are destroying the habitat of this species (particularly on the Jandía peninsula in the south of Fuerteventura) (Illera 2004). Additional threats include excessive and increasing livestock grazing (A. Iñigo in litt. 2011), including cattle and extensively-ranched, semi-feral "coastal" goats (which accelerates desertification and reduces vegetation cover and food availability (Illera and Díaz 2006)), and nest predation by feral cats Felis catus (Medina and Nogales 2009) and other introduced mammals, such as rats Rattus spp. (Illera 2004; Illera and Díaz 2006). High fidelity to particular sites may exacerbate the problem of the destruction and degradation of optimal habitats (Illera and Díaz in press).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway An action plan was produced in 1999 (Illera 1999). Various studies of the species's habitat usage (Illera 2001; Illera et al. 2006), breeding biology (Illera and Díaz 2006) and dispersal (Illera and Díaz in press) have been undertaken since 1998. Conservation Actions Proposed Develop, approve and implement a national Conservation Plan for the species (Illera 2004). Conduct a complete population census and remap the species's distribution (Illera 1999, 2004). Develop a monitoring programme (Illera 1999, 2004). Identify and protect key areas of optimal habitat for the species, and reduce the number of "coastal goats" in these areas (Illera 1999, 2001, 2004). Raise awareness of the species among the resident and tourist populations, particularly the threat from off-road driving and introduced mammals (Illera 1999, 2004). Attempt to control predators at key sites where their impact on breeding success is particularly severe (Illera 2004).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
An action plan was produced in 1999 (Illera 1999). Various studies of the species's habitat usage (Illera 2001; Illera et al. 2006), breeding biology (Illera and Díaz 2006) and dispersal (Illera and Díaz in press) have been undertaken since 1998.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Develop, approve and implement a national Conservation Plan for the species (Illera 2004). Conduct a complete population census and remap the species's distribution (Illera 1999, 2004). Develop a monitoring programme (Illera 1999, 2004). Identify and protect key areas of optimal habitat for the species, and reduce the number of "coastal goats" in these areas (Illera 1999, 2001, 2004). Raise awareness of the species among the resident and tourist populations, particularly the threat from off-road driving and introduced mammals (Illera 1999, 2004). Attempt to control predators at key sites where their impact on breeding success is particularly severe (Illera 2004).

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Saxicola dacotiae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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