Zosterops ficedulinus

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	ZOSTEROPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Zosterops ficedulinus

Species Authority:

Hartlaub, 1866

Common Name/s:

English	–	Principe White-eye, Sao Tome White-eye, Sao Tomé White-eye, São Tomé White-eye
French	–	Oiseau-lunettes de Principe

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D1 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Baillie, J., Gascoigne, A., Melo, M. & Olmos, F.

Justification:
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it is thought to have a small population, given the small area of suitable primary and mature secondary forest habitat within its range.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Zosterops ficedulinus is confined to São Tomé (subspecies feae) and Príncipe (subspecies ficedulinus), São Tomé e Príncipe. On Príncipe, it appears to have always been rare and is confined to the central massif, with a recent record from the south-east (J. Baillie and A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). On São Tomé, its status is unclear. Various surveys have shown it to be patchily common, others that it is rare. Overall, it appears to be uncommon, being most abundant in the central massif and less so in the south-west with a spatially and temporarily variable distribution (Atkinson et al. 1991, Christy and Clarke 1998). It was thought to have declined between 1970 and 1990, but there is little evidence for this continuing.
Countries:	Native: Sao Tomé and Principe
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population is estimated to number 250-999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals.
Population Trend:	Stable

Population:

The population is estimated to number 250-999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals.

Population Trend:

Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	On São Tomé, it prefers mid- to high-altitude forest up to 1,600 m, but also occurs in the lowlands. It utilises primary forest, old secondary growth and shade-forest in former cocoa plantations (Atkinson et al. 1991, Christy and Clarke 1998). The subspecies on Príncipe is confined to primary forest and forest edge (J. Baillie and A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). It is usually found in small groups, often in mixed-species parties and is insectivorous.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

On São Tomé, it prefers mid- to high-altitude forest up to 1,600 m, but also occurs in the lowlands. It utilises primary forest, old secondary growth and shade-forest in former cocoa plantations (Atkinson et al. 1991, Christy and Clarke 1998). The subspecies on Príncipe is confined to primary forest and forest edge (J. Baillie and A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). It is usually found in small groups, often in mixed-species parties and is insectivorous.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Historically, large areas of primary forest, on both islands, were cleared for cocoa and coffee plantations. Today, land privatisation is leading to an increase in the number of small farms and the clearance of trees. This does not currently affect primary forest, but may be a threat in the future (J. Baillie and A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). Limited areas of secondary and primary forest, particularly in the north of its range on São Tomé, are threatened by clearance for cultivation, timber and fuelwood-collection (Atkinson et al. 1991). Road developments along the east and west coasts of São Tomé are increasing access to previously remote areas (A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). Construction for the country's developing oil industry, including the established idea of building 'free ports' (free economic zones) (M. Melo in litt. 2003), was seen as a potential threat to the species's habitat. However, prospecting on land was unsuccessful, and any construction is likely to be offshore (F. Olmos in litt. 2007).

Major Threat(s):

Historically, large areas of primary forest, on both islands, were cleared for cocoa and coffee plantations. Today, land privatisation is leading to an increase in the number of small farms and the clearance of trees. This does not currently affect primary forest, but may be a threat in the future (J. Baillie and A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). Limited areas of secondary and primary forest, particularly in the north of its range on São Tomé, are threatened by clearance for cultivation, timber and fuelwood-collection (Atkinson et al. 1991). Road developments along the east and west coasts of São Tomé are increasing access to previously remote areas (A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000). Construction for the country's developing oil industry, including the established idea of building 'free ports' (free economic zones) (M. Melo in litt. 2003), was seen as a potential threat to the species's habitat. However, prospecting on land was unsuccessful, and any construction is likely to be offshore (F. Olmos in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway A new law providing for the gazetting of protected areas and the protection of threatened species (A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000, M. Melo in litt. 2003) has been ratified (F. Olmos in litt. 2007). Legislation for the creation of Obo National Park has also been ratified (F. Olmos in litt. 2007) and protection of primary forest as a zona ecologica has been proposed. Conservation Actions Proposed Research its population size and distribution. Study its habitat requirements. Ensure legal protection of all remaining lowland primary forest. List it as a protected species under national law.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
A new law providing for the gazetting of protected areas and the protection of threatened species (A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000, M. Melo in litt. 2003) has been ratified (F. Olmos in litt. 2007). Legislation for the creation of Obo National Park has also been ratified (F. Olmos in litt. 2007) and protection of primary forest as a zona ecologica has been proposed.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research its population size and distribution. Study its habitat requirements. Ensure legal protection of all remaining lowland primary forest. List it as a protected species under national law.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Zosterops ficedulinus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 June 2013.
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