Justification This species has apparently undergone moderately rapid declines across its global range and it is consequently considered Near Threatened. Declines have been most pronounced in northern populations, and if similar declines are observed elsewhere in the species's range it may warrant uplisting to Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Coraciidae

Species name author Linnaeus, 1758

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

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

200,000 - 700,000

decreasing

11,800,000 km²

No

Range & population Coracias garrulus occurs as two subspecies: the nominate breeds from Morocco, south-west and south-central Europe and Asia Minor east through north-west Iran to south-west Siberia (Russia); and semenowi, which breeds in Iraq and Iran (except north-west) east to Kashmir and north to Turkmenistan, south Kazakhstan and north-west China (west Sinkiang). The species overwinters in two distinct regions of Africa, from Senegal east to Cameroon and from Ethiopia west to Congo and south to South Africa¹. It has a large global population, including an estimated 100,000-220,000 individuals in Europe (50-74% of the global breeding range)². However, following a moderate decline during 1970-1990³, the species has continued to decline by up to 25% across Europe during 1990-2000 (including in key populations in Turkey and European Russia)². Overall European declines exceeded 30% in three generations (15 years). Populations in northern Europe have undergone severe declines (Estonia: 50-100 pairs in 1998 to no known breeding pairs in 2004⁴, Latvia: several thousand to under 30 pairs in 2004⁵, Lithuania: 1,000-2,000 pairs in 1970s to 20 pairs in 2004⁶), and in Russia it has now disappeared from the northern part of its range⁷. However, there is no evidence of any declines in Central Asia. Should these populations be shown to be declining, the species may warrant uplisting further to Vulnerable.

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

Ecology: The species prefers lowland open countryside with patches of oak Quercus forest, mature pine Pinus woodland with heathery clearings, orchards, mixed farmland, river valleys, and plains with scattered thorny or leafy trees. It winters primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains¹. In Europe, the species mainly breeds in abandoned Green Woodpecker Picus viridis cavities in white poplar Populus alba, especially in riparian forests, less often in Salix spp., or infrequently in natural cavities of planes Platanus orientalis, walls or sand-banks^8,11. They mostly forage in agricultural habitats, especially meadows (May and August) and in cereals in June-July. Fallow land is always favoured. Vineyards can be attractive if the soil keeps some vegetation cover^8,12. Hedgerows (as well as fences and powerlines) are essential perches while looking for prey^8,12.

Threats Threats include persecution on migration in some Mediterranean countries and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are shot for food in Oman every spring¹, and Gujarat, India. Use of pesticides and conversion to monoculture reduces food availability⁵. It is sensitive to loss of hedgerows and riparian forest in Europe which provide essential habitats for perching and nesting.

Conservation measures underway The species is recorded in a number of national monitoring schemes within its range and has been the focus of targeted study.

Conservation measures proposed Continue monitoring population trends. Determine Turkish, Middle Eastern and Central Asian trends and review its conservation status based on the findings. Tackle specific threats such as hunting. Address threats in Europe relating to the Common Agricultural Policy and integrate appropriate measures into agri-environment schemes.

References 1. del Hoyo et al. (2001). 2. BirdLife International (2004). 3. Tucker and Heath (1994). 4. A. Kalamees in litt. (2005). 5. E. Raèinskis in litt. (2005). 6. L. Raudonikis in litt. (2005). 7. A. Mischenko in litt. (2005). 8. Tron et al. (2006). 9. Tron et al. (2007). 10. Lemphers et al. (in prep). 11. Poole et al. (in prep). 12. Poole et al. (in prep).

Further web sources of information

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

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International)

Contributors Andres Kalamees (Eesti Ornitiliigiaühing (EOÜ)), Alexander L. Mischenko (Russian Bird Conservation Union), Nicky Petkov (Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds), Edmunds Racinskis (Latvijas Ornitologijas Biedriba), Liutauras Raudonikis (Lietuvos Ornitologu Draugija), Jugal Tiwara, Francois Tron (A Rocha)

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

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

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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