Justification This species is classified as Vulnerable because it has a very small population (being known from only four widely separated locations) that is severely fragmented and probably declining, given the continuing clearance and degradation of its forest habitat.

Family/Sub-family Strigidae

Species name author Prigogine, 1983

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Synonyms Glaucidium passerinum Collar and Andrew (1988)

Taxonomic note BirdLife International's treatment of Glaucidium capense currently includes ngamiense and scheffleri, contra Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) but recognises castaneum and albertinum as separate species. This treatment is under review by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group. Note this does not match G. capense Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993) which also includes albertinum and castaneum.

Identification 20 cm. Small, large-headed owl with no "ears". Rounded head heavily spotted with white. Mantle/back not barred. Barred breast. Spotted belly and flanks. Pale yellow eyes. Similar spp. African Barred Owlet G. capense is less intensely coloured, with barred head and mantle/back. Voice Not certainly described.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

32,500 km²

No

Range & population Glaucidium albertinum is known from just 3-5 specimens, collected in the Itombwe Mountains (two specimens) and in forest west of Lake Edward (two at relatively low altitude [1,100 m], and originally identified as G. capense castaneum⁷, may need re-examination⁴), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as in Nyungwe Forest (one), Rwanda. There is also a recent sight record from Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, west of Lake Kivu (DRC). It may be fairly common in parts of Itombwe² - as a nocturnal species, it may have been under-recorded by past ornithological surveys.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: This bird is found in very open montane and transitional forest, with many clearings³ and a dense understorey, and probably occurs up to 2,500 m at least (based on a Glaucidium sp. heard calling at this altitude at Nyungwe, almost certainly G. albertinum³). The diet includes invertebrates. Its breeding ecology is unknown¹.

Threats Deforestation and forest degradation are the most likely threats throughout its range. Forest in the Itombwe Mountains and Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is under increasing pressure from pastoralists, farmers, pit-sawyers, miners and hunters^5,6. The human population in this volatile area is increasing rapidly and thousands of refugees from Burundi and Rwanda live in camps at the base of Itombwe's eastern escarpment and to the north^5,6. Clearance for agriculture, particularly along the southern and western edges of gallery montane forest, has increased dramatically in the past few years as maize crops have failed, causing famine¹. In contrast, reports suggest that there has been very little encroachment at Nyungwe in recent years, due to the conflict-related emigration of local people⁴.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It occurs in Kahuzi-Biéga National Park and Nyungwe Forest Reserve. Itombwe Forest has recently been gazetted as a community reserve, although the boundaries still need to be defined⁸. Other parts of the Itombwe Mountains are not protected.

Conservation measures proposed Reassess its taxonomic status. If the taxon is confirmed as a species, survey its distribution and status within the projected range, once the security situation permits this. Once a baseline population estimate has been obtained, continue to monitor population trends as long as the security situation is conducive. Monitor the loss and degradation of habitat within its range. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Butynski et al. (1997). 2. T. Butynski in litt. (1999). 3. Dowsett-Lemaire (1990). 4. F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. (2000). 5. Hall et al. (1998). 6. Omari et al. (1999). 7. Prigogine (1953). 8. A. Plumptre in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Tom Butynski (Conservation International), Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire, Andy Plumptre (Wildlife Conservation Society)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Glaucidium albertinum. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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