Threskiornis bernieri

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	CICONIIFORMES	THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Scientific Name:

Threskiornis bernieri

Species Authority:

(Bonaparte, 1855)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Madagascar Sacred Ibis

Taxonomic Notes:

Threskiornis aethiopicus (Sibley and Monroe 1993) has been split into T. aethiopicus and T. bernieri following Sibley and Monroe (1990) whose treatment has been adopted by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group on the basis of bernieri's smaller size, proportionately much smaller, slimmer bill, little or no black in the wing-tips, a bluish-white or white, not brown iris, paler, less well developed ornamental plumes, the apparent absence of a neck-sac and its restriction to estuarine and coastal areas.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered C1 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Hawkins, F., Rabarisoa, R., Rabenandrasana, M. & Tingay, R.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small population which is declining owing largely to unsustainable harvesting of its eggs, disturbance of nesting sites and the degradation of wetland habitats in Madagascar. Declines are predicted to continue into the future.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Not Recognized
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The specific status of Threskiornis bernieri as distinct from T. aethiopicus has been discussed for some time (Sibley and Monroe 1990, Lowe and Richards 1991, Dowsett and Forbes-Watson 1993) and is now accepted (BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group 2003). Two races are known: T .b. bernieri, found in the saline coastal zone and inland fresh water zone of western Madagascar (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep., R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007) (fewer than 2,500 [Delany and Scott 2002, F. Hawkins in litt. 2003] and possibly no more than 2,000 mature individuals [Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep., Perschke 2006, Andrianarimisa 2006] and declining [Delany and Scott 2002, F. Hawkins in litt. 2003, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.]), and T. b. abbotti on Aldabra, Seychelles (300-750 individuals [Rocamora and Skerrett 2001]), giving a total population of 2,300-3,250 individuals. The species's decline in Madagascar is shown by surveys in 2005 and 2006, in which 24 of the 26 sites revisited after surveys in the previous 10 years showed drastic reductions (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). However, the species's population increased at Bay de Baly between 2000 and 2004, and appeared stable at Mahavavy Delta between 2002 and 2005 (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007).
Countries:	Native: Madagascar; Seychelles
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Population data for Madagascar and the Seychelles, from a number of sources, suggests a population range of 2,300-3,250 individuals, roughly equivalent to 1,500-2,200 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour This species is sedentary, showing no evidence of either dispersal or migration (Hancock et al. 1992). Breeding is colonial and often occurs in mixed heron colonies (Morris and Hawkins 1998). Roosting also occurs colonially in groups of several dozen (Langrand 1990). It sometimes feeds alone but more often in pairs or small groups (Langrand 1990). Breeding has been observed at the start of the rainy season in the months of November and December (Langrand 1990). Habitat The species is believed to be ecologically more restricted than its African counterpart, being largely confined to lowland habitats (mean altitude of 91 occupied sites: 14.9m asl ± 3.81 SE, range 0 - 191 m asl [Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.]) in saline and brackish coastal zones, mainly mudflats, estuaries, mangroves and shallow brackish coastal lakes. During 2005 and 2006, 82.8% of birds surveyed and 69.2% of occupied sites surveyed or known from the literature were within 2 km of the coastline (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). There are also observations from inland rice fields and freshwater lakes within forested areas, such as the Manambolomaty complex (Tingay and Gilbert 1999, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007). It breeds near to its foraging grounds (Morris and Hawkins 1998) and roosts on islets or in trees in the same area (Langrand 1990). Diet It feeds on worms, small crustaceans, snails, insects, spiders and various organic materials (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). It will sometimes take small vertebrates including frogs, reptiles and young birds (Langrand 1990). Breeding site The clutch of two is laid in a small twig nest placed in a tree. It may also nest on the ground (Morris and Hawkins 1998).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour This species is sedentary, showing no evidence of either dispersal or migration (Hancock et al. 1992). Breeding is colonial and often occurs in mixed heron colonies (Morris and Hawkins 1998). Roosting also occurs colonially in groups of several dozen (Langrand 1990). It sometimes feeds alone but more often in pairs or small groups (Langrand 1990). Breeding has been observed at the start of the rainy season in the months of November and December (Langrand 1990). Habitat The species is believed to be ecologically more restricted than its African counterpart, being largely confined to lowland habitats (mean altitude of 91 occupied sites: 14.9m asl ± 3.81 SE, range 0 - 191 m asl [Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.]) in saline and brackish coastal zones, mainly mudflats, estuaries, mangroves and shallow brackish coastal lakes. During 2005 and 2006, 82.8% of birds surveyed and 69.2% of occupied sites surveyed or known from the literature were within 2 km of the coastline (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). There are also observations from inland rice fields and freshwater lakes within forested areas, such as the Manambolomaty complex (Tingay and Gilbert 1999, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007). It breeds near to its foraging grounds (Morris and Hawkins 1998) and roosts on islets or in trees in the same area (Langrand 1990). Diet It feeds on worms, small crustaceans, snails, insects, spiders and various organic materials (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). It will sometimes take small vertebrates including frogs, reptiles and young birds (Langrand 1990). Breeding site The clutch of two is laid in a small twig nest placed in a tree. It may also nest on the ground (Morris and Hawkins 1998).

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Over 70% of the species's population in Madagascar resides outside protected areas (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). It is threatened in particular by the collection of eggs (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.), trapping of adults (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.) and taking of nestlings for food (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep., Perschke 2006), with drastic declines observed over widespread areas. It is fearless whilst nesting and roosting, making it an easy target for hunters (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Existing legislation on hunting is weak and ineffective. The species is also threatened by habitat loss and degradation, with important habitats affected by pollution, sedimentation and the encroachment of alluvial sands. Increased sedimentation results from increases in soil erosion caused by slash and burn cultivation, and these effects are most prevalent in southern Madagascar where the species's population is low. In addition, mangroves are threatened with destruction for charcoal production (Perschke 2006). It is possible that the species is in competition for food with egret species, such as the Dimorphic Egret Egretta dimorpha (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007).

Major Threat(s):

Over 70% of the species's population in Madagascar resides outside protected areas (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). It is threatened in particular by the collection of eggs (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.), trapping of adults (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.) and taking of nestlings for food (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep., Perschke 2006), with drastic declines observed over widespread areas. It is fearless whilst nesting and roosting, making it an easy target for hunters (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Existing legislation on hunting is weak and ineffective. The species is also threatened by habitat loss and degradation, with important habitats affected by pollution, sedimentation and the encroachment of alluvial sands. Increased sedimentation results from increases in soil erosion caused by slash and burn cultivation, and these effects are most prevalent in southern Madagascar where the species's population is low. In addition, mangroves are threatened with destruction for charcoal production (Perschke 2006). It is possible that the species is in competition for food with egret species, such as the Dimorphic Egret Egretta dimorpha (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Coastal sites are poorly protected in western Madagascar. New wetland conservation intiatives include this species as a conservation target (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2003). The Aldabra atoll is a Special Reserve of the Republic of Seychelles, providing the strongest level of wildlife protection where the only permitted human activities are nature conservation and restricted ecotourism (Rocamora and Skerrett 2001). In 2005, the Malagasy Association Voronosy was created to protect the species in Bombetoka Bay by changing the attitude of villagers towards the bird and its habitat (Perschke 2006). This has been carried out through posters, education in schools and notices warning against the taking of nestlings or felling of trees. Several projects to develop income-generating activities are underway. A boat will be used for fishing, eco-tourism trips and patrols to protect the species's breeding colonies. The protection measures resulted in an increase in the numbers of young birds in 2006 (Perschke 2006). Conservation Actions Proposed Preserve suitable habitat (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Protect nest sites from poaching. Enforce existing legislation. Generate awareness of this species's rarity and local significance through community awareness programmes (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Monitor key breeding sites in Madagascar to provide accurate data on population trends through standardised monitoring methods and/or data sharing between organisations (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2007). Investigate whether the species is in competition with egret species such as Egretta dimorpha (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007). Carry out further research into feeding ecology, breeding biology, movements and survival (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Encourage income generation projects.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Coastal sites are poorly protected in western Madagascar. New wetland conservation intiatives include this species as a conservation target (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2003). The Aldabra atoll is a Special Reserve of the Republic of Seychelles, providing the strongest level of wildlife protection where the only permitted human activities are nature conservation and restricted ecotourism (Rocamora and Skerrett 2001). In 2005, the Malagasy Association Voronosy was created to protect the species in Bombetoka Bay by changing the attitude of villagers towards the bird and its habitat (Perschke 2006). This has been carried out through posters, education in schools and notices warning against the taking of nestlings or felling of trees. Several projects to develop income-generating activities are underway. A boat will be used for fishing, eco-tourism trips and patrols to protect the species's breeding colonies. The protection measures resulted in an increase in the numbers of young birds in 2006 (Perschke 2006).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Preserve suitable habitat (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Protect nest sites from poaching. Enforce existing legislation. Generate awareness of this species's rarity and local significance through community awareness programmes (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Monitor key breeding sites in Madagascar to provide accurate data on population trends through standardised monitoring methods and/or data sharing between organisations (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2007). Investigate whether the species is in competition with egret species such as Egretta dimorpha (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007). Carry out further research into feeding ecology, breeding biology, movements and survival (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato in prep.). Encourage income generation projects.

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