Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is thought to have a moderately small range which may be declining owing to agricultural encroachment and logging.

Family/Sub-family Indicatoridae

Species name author Chapin, 1958

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

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

unset

35,600 km²

No

Range & population Indicator pumilio is restricted to the Albertine Rift mountains in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), possibly also occurring in Burundi³. Apparently not uncommon at some sites⁶, this unobtrusive species which appears to lack an advertising song and is thus difficult to detect, so its apparent overall rarity may be simply a result of under-recording².

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

Ecology: The species favours montane forest (1,500-2,400 m) and feeds on beeswax and insects³. In Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda, it occurs in semi-open forest in drier areas². Its breeding season in eastern DRC is probably August-December, also May-June and possibly February⁶. It probably parasitises the nests of tinkerbirds Pogoniulus spp. or small woodpeckers⁶.

Threats Forest within parts of its range is highly threatened as a result of shifting agriculture and illicit logging, exacerbated by high population pressure^1,4,5.

Conservation measures underway The species occurs within the Bwindi-Impenetrable National Park, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, Virunga National Park and Nyungwe Forest Reserve.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation within the species's range. Increase the area of suitable habitat included in protected areas. Tackle illicit logging through patrols by local wardens.

References 1. Butynski et al. (1997). 2. Dowsett-Lemaire (1990). 3. Fry et al. (1988). 4. Hall et al. (1998). 5. Omari et al. (1999). 6. del Hoyo et al. (2002).

Text account compilers Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Pete Robertson (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Indicator pumilio. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

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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