Justification This species is classified as Critically Endangered, as it has undergone an extremely rapid population decline which is likely to continue into the future (unless proposed conservation targets are urgently addressed), based on hunting levels and a continuing deterioration in habitat quality.

Family/Sub-family Phasianidae

Species name author Dorst & Jouanin, 1952

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

Identification 35 cm. Rotund, short-tailed, terrestrial gamebird. Overall greyish-brown. White streaking and striping on underparts, finer white streaking on upperparts. Greyish top of head. Nape tinged rufous. Black bill with some yellow on the lower mandible, greenish-yellow legs. Voice Rattling erk erk erk-kkkkkkk, with latter part descending, ending a chuckled gurgle.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

decreasing

58 km²

Yes

Range & population Francolinus ochropectus is endemic to Djibouti, where it is known from only two sites: Forêt du Day in the Goda Massif (c.14-15 km^{2 4}, probably the only viable site) and the nearby Mabla Mountains. Available habitat at Forêt du Day was halved between 1977 and 1983³, with a corresponding decline in the population from 5,600 to 1,500 birds between 1978 and 1985⁴. The population at Forêt du Day was estimated at c.500-1,000 in 1998⁵. Figures released in 2006 indicate that 95% of plateau juniper (the preferred habitat) was either dead or dying⁸. Nevertheless, immature birds continue to be seen and the ability of dead juniper woodland to support the species remains poorly understood. Survey work by the World Pheasant Association in collaboration with Djibouti Nature, a local NGO, led to a population estimate of 612-723 adults⁸. The size of the population at Mabla is unknown.

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

Ecology: It is found in juniper woodland (with records between 700 and 1,500 m) but forest at Forêt du Day now only occurs above c.950 m ². It has been found in secondary woodland and occurs in degraded woodland¹, including dead juniper habitat. It is shy, elusive and occurs in small parties in dense vegetation⁶, hence it is not recorded in those dead or dying juniper habitats which are more open⁸. It feeds on seeds, berries and termites, and also figs from the forest edge¹. The breeding season is from December to February³. It is probably monogamous, laying a clutch of 5-7 eggs; the only known nest was a shallow grass-lined depression on an inaccessible mountain ledge⁶.

Threats At Forêt du Day, juniper woodland is in poor condition with virtually all trees now dead or dying. The reasons for this are unclear, but the high level of grazing by cattle, camels and goats is certainly a problem in much of the woodland, possibly exacerbated by acid rain, climate change and fungal disease². Within 18 months of the restoration of an exclosure juniper seedlings which were non-existent elsewhere were found to be frequent under living juniper trees, suggesting grazing has indeed been the main cause of the decline of the forest¹¹. Other concerns include collection of firewood on lower slopes², hunting and human disturbance⁵. At Mabla, there are signs of significant human disturbance in the remaining stands of woodland, which have been heavily exploited for firewood and grazing².

Conservation measures underway Part of Forêt du Day was apparently declared a national park in 1939, but the designation is no longer valid² - work is now underway to advance the implementation of full protected area status for the Forêt du Day and Mabla⁹. Research to clarify the species's range and population numbers is ongoing, including preliminary planning for surveys in the Mabla Mountains and other ranges between the two known locations. Meetings have been held with local communities to discuss the establishment of Site Support Groups for Forêt du Day and Mabla⁹. Brochures on the Djibouti Francolin and its habitat have been produced and distributed widely including within schools, tourist centres and government departments; meetings have been held with education authorities to discuss the integration of environmental teaching within primary schools, and a pilot environmental education programme has been trialled at five local schools⁹. A workshop was held at Djibouti University to discuss the establishment of a Djibouti Francolin Working Group comprised of local academics and students. Plans for a community-based juniper forest restoration project are underway, and in May 2008 an area near Day village was set aside for a tree nursery^9,10.

Conservation measures proposed Immediate implementation of protected status of the "Forêts de Day et de Mabla" as recently decreed by government. Conduct ecological studies to determine habitat limits and reproductive ecology, especially whether there is seasonal dependence upon juniper forest. These will be aided by the use of radio-tagging which requires development of suitable catching techniques. Community-based juniper forest restoration through planting and assisted regeneration, and the maintenance of local plant nurseries. Expand awareness-raising programmes to ensure local people are aware of the value of the species and its habitat to improve participation in other conservation actions. Involve local stakeholders by convening a Protected Area Management Group in the Goda and Mabla areas. Create a working group within Djibouti to promote conservation of the species and its habitat. Develop a long-term integrated management project for the Goda massif, involving socio-economic and agro-pastoral surveys and a conservation education programme (currently being trialled in five local schools by Djibouti Nature).

References Keane et al. (unpubl.). 1. Fuller et al. (2000). 2. Magin (2001.) 3. McGowan (1994). 4. McGowan et al. (1995). 5. G. R. and H. J. Welch in litt. (1999). 6. Madge and McGowan (2002). 7. C. Bealey in litt. (2004). 8. Bealey and Rayaleh (2006). 9. Rayaleh (2008). 10. Hirschfeld (2008). 11. Ford (2008).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Species Guardian Action Update November 2008

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Aidan Keane (World Pheasant Association), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Clive Bealey (World Pheasant Association), Phil McGowan (World Pheasant Association), Houssein Rayaleh (Djibouti Nature), Geoff Welch (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), H. J. Welch

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Phil McGowan (World Pheasant Association), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Francolinus ochropectus. 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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