Family/Sub-family Vangidae

Species name author Peters, 1996

Taxonomic source(s) Peters (1996)

Taxonomic note Described as new to science by Peters (1996) based on two juveniles with far longer tarsi and shorter toes than those of H. corallirostris. The recognition of H. perdita appears to be justified; the possibility that these birds were juvenile H. corallirostris (Goodman et al. 1997) seems improbable.

Identification No information is available on the species's appearance and behaviour in the field.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

unset

-

Yes

Range & population Hypositta perdita was discovered and named recently on the basis of two specimens collected in primary forest and grassland in 1931 near Eminiminy, a village north of Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin) next to (but outside) Andohahela National Park in south-east Madagascar³. No information is available on the taxon's appearance and behaviour in the field, although it is considered most similar to Nuthatch Vanga H. corallirostris, a tree-climber of humid evergreen forest³. A faunal inventory of Andohahela in 1995, which included forest near Eminiminy, found only H. corallirostris^1,2. It is possible that since 1931 perdita may have become extinct³, although forest survives at Eminiminy⁵. In any case, the taxonomic validity of this form needs to be further evaluated, especially as the type-specimens are both recently fledged juveniles⁴, and for this reason the taxon is treated as Data Deficient. If it proves to be a valid species, it can be inferred to have a tiny population and range, and thus should be treated as Critical.

Ecology: From its morphology, it would appear that perdita was not ground-living and was probably confined to trees and scrub, but was seemingly not specialised in climbing³. It is therefore probable that this taxon and H. corallirostris were ecologically separate and may have co-existed^2,3.

Threats The principal threat to the forests of this region is from slash-and-burn cultivation by subsistence farmers.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Further clarify the taxonomic validity of the species. Carry out further surveys in the Eminiminy area.

References 1. Goodman et al. (1997b). 2. Hawkins and Goodman (1999). 3. Peters (1996). 4. ZICOMA (1999). 5. R. J. Safford in litt. (2006).

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Frank Hawkins (Conservation International), Roger Safford (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Hypositta perdita. 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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