Nectarinia rufipennis

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	NECTARINIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Nectarinia rufipennis

Species Authority:

Jensen, 1983

Common Name/s:

English	–	Rufous-winged Sunbird
French	–	Souimanga à ailes rouges

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Butynski, T., Dinesen, L., Moyer, D. & Mulungu, E.

Justification:
This species has a small range, being known from only eight forest areas, varying considerably in size (3-250 km²), within the Udzungwa Mountains. Suitable habitat both within and outside protected areas is declining in extent and quality as a result of forest clearance and degradation (Collar and Stuart 1985). The species is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Nectarinia rufipennis is restricted to the Udzungwa Mountains, in the Iringa, Mufindi and Kilombero Districts of Tanzania. It occurs in Mwanihana and Iwonde forests in Udzungwa Mountains National Park (T. Butynski in litt. 1999), in forests at Ukami, Ndundulu and Nymbanitu in the West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve, and in Katemele, Kiranzi-Kitungulu and Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserves (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999). The species's population in the Udzungwas is estimated at c.6,850 individuals (Dinesen et al. 2001).
Countries:	Native: Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population in the Udzungwas is estimated at c.6,850 individuals. Therefore, the total population is placed in the range band for 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found in the forest interior and at the edge of gaps in natural forest, most commonly between 1,500-1,700 m. It feeds on nectar, especially from tropical mistletoes (Loranthaceae), and small insects, 2-8 m above the ground, but is seen occasionally in the canopy up to 30 m high (Dinesen et al. 1993). It aggressively defends clumps of flowers against other sunbird species (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999) and undergoes marked seasonal movements in response to local food-resource peaks (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999). During the cold (non-breeding) season (June-August), the majority of birds move to lower elevations (below 1,500 m) and vocal activity and territoriality are greatly reduced (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is found in the forest interior and at the edge of gaps in natural forest, most commonly between 1,500-1,700 m. It feeds on nectar, especially from tropical mistletoes (Loranthaceae), and small insects, 2-8 m above the ground, but is seen occasionally in the canopy up to 30 m high (Dinesen et al. 1993). It aggressively defends clumps of flowers against other sunbird species (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999) and undergoes marked seasonal movements in response to local food-resource peaks (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999). During the cold (non-breeding) season (June-August), the majority of birds move to lower elevations (below 1,500 m) and vocal activity and territoriality are greatly reduced (D. Moyer and E.A. Mulungu in litt. 1999).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The three main threats to evergreen forests both within and outside forest reserves are commercial logging, clearing for cultivation and bushfires started to maintain cleared, uncultivated land as open grassland (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007), whilst other activities that are likely to contribute to habitat degradation include charcoal production, exploitation for non-timber forest products and hunting (Dinesen et al. 2001). Forest reserves and forests in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, are under pressure from these activities, and fragmentation is ongoing (Dinesen et al. 2001, L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). The species may be threatened by clearance of unexplored forest patches just east of the south-east corner of Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve, which are thought to be suitable for the species and are close to localities that the species is known to occupy (D. Moyer in litt. 2007). Logging in Iyondo Forest Reserve is a potential threat, although this forest is thought to be at unsuitably low altitudes for the species (D. Moyer in litt. 2007).

Major Threat(s):

The three main threats to evergreen forests both within and outside forest reserves are commercial logging, clearing for cultivation and bushfires started to maintain cleared, uncultivated land as open grassland (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007), whilst other activities that are likely to contribute to habitat degradation include charcoal production, exploitation for non-timber forest products and hunting (Dinesen et al. 2001). Forest reserves and forests in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, are under pressure from these activities, and fragmentation is ongoing (Dinesen et al. 2001, L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). The species may be threatened by clearance of unexplored forest patches just east of the south-east corner of Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve, which are thought to be suitable for the species and are close to localities that the species is known to occupy (D. Moyer in litt. 2007). Logging in Iyondo Forest Reserve is a potential threat, although this forest is thought to be at unsuitably low altitudes for the species (D. Moyer in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway All its known locations are protected within the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and various forest reserves in Iringa and Mufindi Districts, although, as stated, these areas remain under threat from logging, fires and encroachment (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct a baseline survey to establish its population size and density. Initiate a monitoring programme. Effectively conserve forest habitat through participatory management activities (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). Extend the national park (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
All its known locations are protected within the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and various forest reserves in Iringa and Mufindi Districts, although, as stated, these areas remain under threat from logging, fires and encroachment (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct a baseline survey to establish its population size and density. Initiate a monitoring programme. Effectively conserve forest habitat through participatory management activities (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). Extend the national park (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007).

Bibliography [top]

	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. Dinesen, L.; Lehmberg, T.; Rahner, M. C.; Fjeldsa, J. 2001. Conservation priorities for the forests of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, based on primates, duikers and birds. Biological Conservation 99: 223-236. Dinesen, L.; Lehmberg, T.; Svendsen, J. O.; Hansen, L. A. 1993. Range extensions and other notes on some restricted-range forest birds from West Kilombero in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Scopus 17: 48-59. IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012).

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.

Dinesen, L.; Lehmberg, T.; Rahner, M. C.; Fjeldsa, J. 2001. Conservation priorities for the forests of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, based on primates, duikers and birds. Biological Conservation 99: 223-236.

Dinesen, L.; Lehmberg, T.; Svendsen, J. O.; Hansen, L. A. 1993. Range extensions and other notes on some restricted-range forest birds from West Kilombero in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Scopus 17: 48-59.

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

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Nectarinia rufipennis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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