Justification This species has a very small range (being known from only five locations) and is assumed to have a very small population. There is a credible (but unconfirmed) report that wholesale felling of juniper woodland - possibly a key component of its habitat - has become widespread in its range. As a precaution (pending better knowledge of its habitat requirements), its population is assumed to be declining and it is treated as Endangered. However, if the population and range are proven to be stable, it should be downlisted to Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Fringillidae

Species name author (Clarke, 1919)

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

Synonyms Acanthis johannis Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Acanthis johannis Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 13 cm. Medium-sized finch. Pale grey upperparts with black wings and tail. Wings have white patch at base of primaries. White rump. Rust-coloured lower back. Uniform white underparts with rusty-buff flanks. Voice Song is jumbled canary-like twittering. Calls include single tsee wit, tweek and sis sis sis.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

decreasing

2,400 km²

Yes

Range & population Carduelis johannis is recorded from five sites in two small areas (Daalo and Mash Caleed) of the northern Somalia highlands, where it has been described as common but very local¹.

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

Ecology: The species occurs in both open country and juniper woodland¹. At Daalo, birds were recorded arriving at the locality an hour and a half after sunrise and leaving by midday, spending the morning feeding on seeds of grasses and sage Salvia, drinking, and also spending much time sitting in elevated dead branches on trees¹. At the Moon/Ragad site, birds have been recorded drinking from a stream and alighting on a vertical cliff-face¹. Although this species has been recorded as being associated with junipers, no preference for junipers was observed¹. At Daalo, all 19 birds netted were males¹. Earlier field studies have also found no females at Daalo, suggesting they may be incubating eggs some distance away. The breeding biology of the species remains unknown¹.

Threats Unconfirmed but credible reports from 1998 indicate that juniper woodland in this species's range has been completely cleared². The chronic and continuing political crisis in Somalia may be causing as yet undocumented loss of habitat.

Conservation measures underway Although Daalo is a Forest Reserve, the current political situation in Somalia means that this provides no legal protection whatsoever. No conservation action or fieldwork has been undertaken in recent years.

Conservation measures proposed Once conditions permit, conduct surveys to establish the species's range, distribution and population status. Investigate its habitat requirements. Identify any threats to its existence. When feasible, protect any remaining areas of suitable habitat.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Ash and Miskell (1998). 2. J. S. Ash in litt. (1999).

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

Contributors John S. Ash

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Carduelis johannis. 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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