Justification This poorly known migratory species is classified as Near Threatened because its small population is suspected to be declining as a result of the conversion and degradation of its habitats. Improved information on its population size and trend may in due course lead to a reassessment of its status.

Family/Sub-family Emberizidae

Species name author Brehm, 1855

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

5,400 - 15,800

decreasing

-

No

Range & population Emberiza cineracea breeds on the islands of Skyros³, Lesbos and Chios, Greece (115-305 pairs²), and western Turkey (race cineracea), as well as in south-east Turkey and south-west Iran (fewer than 100 pairs in the Zagros mountains; race semenowi). Statements regarding potential breeding in northern Syria and Iraq are of uncertain validity¹. The winter distribution remains poorly known, but includes Eritrea and Yemen, and potentially also Ethiopia, north-east Sudan and south-west Saudi Arabia (where records may solely relate to individuals on migration)^5,6. In addition, there are passage records along the species's two, well-separated migration routes: Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Authority Territories and Egypt (predominantly race cineracea); and Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman (race semenowi). The Turkish breeding population - which at 2,500-7,500 pairs probably constitutes over 90% of the global population - was suspected to have declined by 0-19% during 1990-2000².

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

Ecology: The species breeds on dry rocky slopes and uplands with shrubby vegetation and sometimes conifers. It is migratory, wintering in dry open country with short grass, semi-desert, low rocky hills, bare cultivated land and dry scrub, often in coastal areas. Migrating birds are regularly recorded in lowland agricultural land and semi-deserts.

Threats Changes in grazing pressure by sheep and goats could affect the population size. High grazing pressure could result in the trampling of nests, whereas too little grazing could reduce the area of open feeding sites¹. Remaining habitat in western Turkey is being developed rapidly for tourism⁴. Suitable habitats in south-east Turkey have been flooded by dam construction, resulting both in direct habitat loss and the relocation of displaced villagers to new, currently unpopulated areas¹.

Conservation measures underway The species is legally protected under Greek and Turkish law¹. One of the breeding sites on Lesbos is partially protected as a Natural Monument and Wildlife Refuge¹. An international action plan was published in 2003¹. The species's potential winter distribution has been modelled using GIS-based techniques⁵.

Conservation measures proposed Survey suitable habitat within the putative wintering grounds^5,6. Develop a Species Action Plan. Develop a monitoring programme to assess population trends. Assess threats to the species and develop appropriate responses.

References Byers et al. (1995). Cramp and Perrins (1994). 1. Albayrak et al. (2003). 2. BirdLife International (2004). 3. Hölzinger (1995). 4. Tucker and Heath (1994). 5. Walther et al. (2004). 6. Walther (2006).

Further web sources of information

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

International Action Plan

Text account compilers David Capper (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International)

Contributors Ozge Balkiz (Doga Dernegi), Bruno Walther (Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology)

IUCN Red List evaluators Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Emberiza cineracea. 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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums