Justification This species survives in three small populations where habitat is severely threatened and the larger, eastern population is becoming increasingly fragmented. All populations are likely to be declining rapidly, and it is therefore classified as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Ploceidae

Species name author Wolters, 1974

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 18-20 cm. Large, black forest weaver with bright golden-yellow crescent on breast and similar coloured vent. Female almost totally black with a shadow of yellow breast crescent. Similar spp. No other malimbe within its range has yellow on breast and vent. Voice Song phrases or calls by males include a series of chattering sounds followed by a wheezing phrase lasting about three seconds cheg chig cheg cheg chega zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, similar to Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus⁴. Females' song is similar cheg cheg chig chag chaaag cheg chiiig⁴. Hints Occurs in mixed-bird parties.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000-19,999

decreasing

19,700 km²

No

Range & population Malimbus ballmanni is confined to parts of the Upper Guinea rainforest block of West Africa in Sierra Leone (Gola Forest, considered very rare⁷), Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire (first found near but not in Taï National Park), and Guinea (Diecke Forest Reserve, where four groups containing nine individuals have been recorded⁹). Fieldwork in 1988-1989 in Gola Forest failed to relocate the species, but it was relocated in Gola North in February 2007^7,8. It has not been seen again in Taï National Park. Field work in Cavally Forest Reserve, north-east of Taï National Park failed to relocate this species in 2002⁹ (it had previously been found to be common there⁴). Surveys in Liberia have shown that it survives in two populations, one in western Liberia in an area of 200-300 km² (population size unknown) and one in eastern Liberia (Grand Gedeh/Sinoe County). This eastern population extends into western Côte d'Ivoire (Goin Débé and Cavally Forest Reserves) covering an area of at least 18,000 km², where it is locally common and the population has been estimated to lie in the region of 20,000-50,000 birds⁴. However, this estimate is considered optimistic⁹ and extrapolated data for the total population must be treated with caution as the species appears to be very rare and localised in the western part of its range⁸. In 1999, two possible sightings from the Krahn-Bassa National forest region in south-east Liberia may extend the known range of its eastern population westward and southward⁵.

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

Ecology: It is found in lowland primary forest, lightly logged high forest and very old secondary forest between 4-20 m⁹, where it forages for insects⁴. The breeding season is seasonally adapted, with indications of a minor breeding season in the short, intermediate dry season in July/August and a major breeding season in October/November⁴.

Threats Remaining large tracts of forest in Liberia are under intense and increasing pressure from commercial logging and a consequent increase in settlement and small-holder agriculture². Illegal logging in western Côte d'Ivoire, particularly around northern Taï in Cavally and Goin-Debe Forest Reserves is believed to have become severe after the outbreak of civil conflict in 2002⁹. Elsewhere in the Upper Guinea region, forest survives in fragmented patches which are under intense pressure for logging and agriculture². Stability has returned to some areas, but the current state of these forests and any current logging activities is unknown⁹.

Conservation measures underway In Sierra Leone, Gola Forest Reserve is currently well protected but the area occupied by the species is unknown and likely to be much less than the total forest area⁸. Taï National Park in south-west Côte d'Ivoire is one of the largest and best-preserved areas of Upper Guinea forest.

Conservation measures proposed Search rainforest west of Taï National Park to determine whether the species occurs there³. Conduct further surveys in Gola North and Gola East where it may occur in primary forest⁷. Conduct surveys of the overall population to estimate density. Carry out ecological studies, particularly to learn more of its breeding ecology⁶. Upgrade Gola Forest Reserve to national park status⁸. In Guinea, conduct further surveys of Ziama Forest Reserve to verify rumours of presence and also further surveys in Diecke to assess extent of distribution⁹. Survey any remaining forest patches, particularly in Guinea Nimba to assess presence⁹.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Bützler (1996). 2. Anon. (2000) 3. Gartshore et al. (1995). 4. Gatter and Gardner (1993). 5. Robinson and Suter (1999). 6. H. S. Thompson in litt. (1999). 7. E. Klop in litt. (2007). 8. J. Lindsell in litt. (2007). 9. H. Rainey in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Erik Klop (Leiden University), Jeremy Lindsell (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Hugo Rainey (Wildlife Conservation Society), Hazell Shokellu Thompson

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Malimbus ballmanni. 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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