Swynnertonia swynnertoni

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	MUSCICAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Swynnertonia swynnertoni

Species Authority:

(Shelley, 1906)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Swynnerton's Forest Robin, Swynnerton's Robin
French	–	Akalat de Swynnerton

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,v);C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Burgess, N., Childes, S., Chirara, C., Hansen, L., Moyer, D., Oatley, T. & Tye, A.

Justification:
This species has a small range, within much of which the extent and quality of its habitat are declining, leading to an increasingly fragmented distribution and probably a declining population. It is therefore considered Vulnerable.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Swynnertonia swynnertoni is restricted to a few mountains in eastern Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania. In Zimbabwe, the nominate subspecies occurs at Chirinda and a few other tiny forest patches on the border with Mozambique. In Mozambique, subspecies umbratica is common (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999, T. Oatley in litt. 1999) on Mt Gorongosa (c.125 km² of forest in 1970 [T. Oatley in litt. 1999]), and there are possibly no more than 1,000 individuals in central Mozambique (Parker 2005). The species was found 350 km north-east of Gorongosa on Mt Mabu in northern Mozambique in 2008, where there are perhaps 100-200 pairs in 800 ha of forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In Tanzania, subspecies rodgersi is found 1,100 km to the north in the Udzungwa Mountains, where it is rare to common locally, with densities exceptionally as high as 25 pairs/km² in secondary forest (Butynski and Ehardt 2003), and rodgersi also occurs another 400 km to the north in lowland patches within the East Usambara Mountains (Anderson et al. 1997), where the subpopulation is probably small (Evans 1997b). The population in the Udzungwa Mountains is thought to number no more than 1,000 birds (L. Hansen in litt. 2007).It appears to be absent from other Eastern Arc mountains, despite apparently suitable habitat being available (N. Burgess in litt. 2012).
Countries:	Native: Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of; Zimbabwe
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Given that the only estimations for any one of this species's subpopulations are for no more than 1,000 individuals, e.g. central Mozambique and the Udzungwa Mts (L. Hansen in litt. 2007), the total population is placed in the range band for 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	All subpopulations are found solely in montane forest (850-1,850 m), apart from in the East Usambaras where it probably occurs only in lowland evergreen forest (130-550 m) (Anderson et al. 1997). On Mt Mabu it occurs from c.1,340 m to the upper limits of the main forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). It favours dense undergrowth with a high density of saplings, or rank growth near streams (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In the Bvumba mountains it was found at 1,200-1,850 m in 2007 (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). The species is very intolerant of disturbance and will disappear swiftly from a site if disturbed too often or if vegetation is cut (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). The breeding season for the southern population is October-January (Clancey 1996, Harrison et al. 1997, L. Hansen in litt. 2007). In the Udzungwas, the breeding season is strongly correlated with the rainy season, which begins in early to mid-November and lasts until April, with juveniles seen as late as February (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). The clutch-size is two.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

All subpopulations are found solely in montane forest (850-1,850 m), apart from in the East Usambaras where it probably occurs only in lowland evergreen forest (130-550 m) (Anderson et al. 1997). On Mt Mabu it occurs from c.1,340 m to the upper limits of the main forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). It favours dense undergrowth with a high density of saplings, or rank growth near streams (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In the Bvumba mountains it was found at 1,200-1,850 m in 2007 (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). The species is very intolerant of disturbance and will disappear swiftly from a site if disturbed too often or if vegetation is cut (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). The breeding season for the southern population is October-January (Clancey 1996, Harrison et al. 1997, L. Hansen in litt. 2007). In the Udzungwas, the breeding season is strongly correlated with the rainy season, which begins in early to mid-November and lasts until April, with juveniles seen as late as February (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). The clutch-size is two.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Forest is being cleared on Mt Gorongosa (Harrison et al. 1997, T. Oatley in litt. 1999). The East Usambara subpopulation is threatened by pole-cutting, firewood-collection, cultivation, illegal pit-saw logging and gold mining (Anderson et al. 1997, L. Hansen in litt. 2007). In Bvumba, Zimbabwe, the species is threatened by changes in the forest understorey owing to the spread of the non-native Hedychium, an ornamental ginger (S. L. Childes in litt. 1999), and by clearance for gardens by the new settlers (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). Uncontrolled fires are also a big problem in the Bvumba (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). Forest at higher levels on Mount Mabu is currently under relatively little pressure (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010).

Major Threat(s):

Forest is being cleared on Mt Gorongosa (Harrison et al. 1997, T. Oatley in litt. 1999). The East Usambara subpopulation is threatened by pole-cutting, firewood-collection, cultivation, illegal pit-saw logging and gold mining (Anderson et al. 1997, L. Hansen in litt. 2007). In Bvumba, Zimbabwe, the species is threatened by changes in the forest understorey owing to the spread of the non-native Hedychium, an ornamental ginger (S. L. Childes in litt. 1999), and by clearance for gardens by the new settlers (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). Uncontrolled fires are also a big problem in the Bvumba (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). Forest at higher levels on Mount Mabu is currently under relatively little pressure (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In the Udzungwas, the majority of this subpopulation is found within protected areas (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999). The Ndundulu Mountains lie within the 135,000 ha Kilombero Nature Reserve, which is contiguous with Udzungwa Mountains National Park (N. Burgess in litt. 2012). Conservation projects in the East Usambaras are working to increase the amount of forest, including all lowland remnants, in protected areas (Anderson et al. 1997), and to link the forest patches together through a network of corridors (N. Burgess in litt. 2007); the Derema forest corridor has now been gazetted as a Forest Reserve with work undertaken including financial compensation and provision of alternative farmlands and livelihood supporting projects (Burgess et al. in prep.). In Zimbabwe, Chirinda Forest, Stapleford Forest, Banti Forest and part of Bvumba where the bird occurs are protected areas gazetted by law (C. Chirara in litt. 2012). Conservation Actions Proposed Assess the numbers and distribution of this species in Zimbabwe (S. L. Childes in litt. 1999), and obtain an estimate for the total population. Conduct further studies in the mountain highlands between the Udzungwas and the Usambaras to search for populations in yet unexplored areas (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). Monitor population trends. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation across its range. Protect its habitat in Zimbabwe and on Mt Gorongosa (Harrison et al. 1997, Parker 2005). Investigate why it is submontane in most areas but occurs only at low altitudes in the East Usambaras (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In the Udzungwas, the majority of this subpopulation is found within protected areas (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999). The Ndundulu Mountains lie within the 135,000 ha Kilombero Nature Reserve, which is contiguous with Udzungwa Mountains National Park (N. Burgess in litt. 2012). Conservation projects in the East Usambaras are working to increase the amount of forest, including all lowland remnants, in protected areas (Anderson et al. 1997), and to link the forest patches together through a network of corridors (N. Burgess in litt. 2007); the Derema forest corridor has now been gazetted as a Forest Reserve with work undertaken including financial compensation and provision of alternative farmlands and livelihood supporting projects (Burgess et al. in prep.). In Zimbabwe, Chirinda Forest, Stapleford Forest, Banti Forest and part of Bvumba where the bird occurs are protected areas gazetted by law (C. Chirara in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Assess the numbers and distribution of this species in Zimbabwe (S. L. Childes in litt. 1999), and obtain an estimate for the total population. Conduct further studies in the mountain highlands between the Udzungwas and the Usambaras to search for populations in yet unexplored areas (L. Hansen in litt. 2007). Monitor population trends. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation across its range. Protect its habitat in Zimbabwe and on Mt Gorongosa (Harrison et al. 1997, Parker 2005). Investigate why it is submontane in most areas but occurs only at low altitudes in the East Usambaras (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999).

Bibliography [top]

	Anderson, G. Q. A.; Evans, T. D.; Watson, L. G. 1997. The Tanzanian race of Swynnerton's Robin Swynnertonia swynnertoni rodgersi. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 7(2): 83-89. Burgess, N. D.; Hall, J. M.; Rantala, S.; Vihemäki, H.; Jambiya, G.; Gereau, R. E.; Makonda, F.; Njilima, F.; Sumbi, P.; Kizaji, A. in prep.. Enhancing forest connectivity in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania: trade-offs between ecological effectiveness and social equity. Butynski, T. M.; Ehardt, C. L. 2003. Notes on ten restricted-range birds in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Scopus 23: 12-27. Clancey, P. A. 1996. The birds of southern Mozambique. African Bird Book Publishing, Westville, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Collar, N. J.; Stuart, S. N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Cambridge, U.K. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2010. Further ornithological exploration of Namuli and Mabu Mountains (northern Mozambique), and the urgent need to conserve their forests. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 17(2): 159-177. Evans, T. D. 1997. Records of birds from the forests of the East Usambara lowlands, Tanzania, August 1994 - February 1995. Scopus 19: 92-108. Harrison, J. A.; Allan, D. G.; Underhill, L. G.; Herremans, M.; Tree, A. J.; Parker, V.; Brown, C. J. 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012). Parker, V. 2005. Endangered Wildlife Trust and Avian Demography Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Anderson, G. Q. A.; Evans, T. D.; Watson, L. G. 1997. The Tanzanian race of Swynnerton's Robin Swynnertonia swynnertoni rodgersi. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 7(2): 83-89.

Burgess, N. D.; Hall, J. M.; Rantala, S.; Vihemäki, H.; Jambiya, G.; Gereau, R. E.; Makonda, F.; Njilima, F.; Sumbi, P.; Kizaji, A. in prep.. Enhancing forest connectivity in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania: trade-offs between ecological effectiveness and social equity.

Butynski, T. M.; Ehardt, C. L. 2003. Notes on ten restricted-range birds in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Scopus 23: 12-27.

Clancey, P. A. 1996. The birds of southern Mozambique. African Bird Book Publishing, Westville, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Collar, N. J.; Stuart, S. N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Cambridge, U.K.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2010. Further ornithological exploration of Namuli and Mabu Mountains (northern Mozambique), and the urgent need to conserve their forests. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 17(2): 159-177.

Evans, T. D. 1997. Records of birds from the forests of the East Usambara lowlands, Tanzania, August 1994 - February 1995. Scopus 19: 92-108.

Harrison, J. A.; Allan, D. G.; Underhill, L. G.; Herremans, M.; Tree, A. J.; Parker, V.; Brown, C. J. 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.

IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012).

Parker, V. 2005. Endangered Wildlife Trust and Avian Demography Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Swynnertonia swynnertoni. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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