Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened, as it is expected to undergo a moderately rapid population decline owing to habitat loss to intensive agriculture. Further data may show that the species qualifies for a higher threat category.

Family/Sub-family Otididae

Species name author (Vieillot, 1820)

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

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

12,000 - 15,000

unset

404,000 km²

No

Range & population Eupodotis caerulescens is virtually endemic to South Africa, extending only marginally into western Lesotho. The total South African population has been estimated at 1,500-5,000 individuals, but this may be an underestimate as the population in the former Transvaal alone has been estimated to exceed 10,000 individuals, with between 1,000 and 3,000 in the proposed Grassland Biosphere Reserve centred around Volksrust and Wakkerstroom.

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 on high grassveld, usually above 1,500 m ³, where it inhabits open, fairly short grassland and a mixture of grassland and karoo dwarf-shrubland, with termite mounds and few or no trees³. It also inhabits old and fallow cropland, pastures and winter cultivation³. It feeds on insects, scorpions, small lizards and vegetable matter. It apparently benefits from small-scale agriculture, as it regularly forages in crop fields and planted pastures. Breeding occurs from August to April, mainly in October and November³. The nest is situated on bare open ground, often in short, thick grass or cropland³. The clutch-size ranges from one to three eggs, and the incubation period is 24-28 days³. The young stay with their parents for up to two years, in a breeding system that appears to involve group-territorialism³.

Threats It does not appear to have decreased in the west of its range, but seems certain to have decreased to some extent in the east owing to dense human settlement and large-scale agriculture. Habitat loss looks set to continue throughout its range¹, with intensive agriculture appearing to be the main threat³.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It occurs in at least 15 nature reserves in South Africa, but these sites may protect only 100-500 individuals².

Conservation measures proposed Carefully monitor its populations¹. Monitor rates of habitat loss within its range. Protect additional areas of the species's habitat.

References 1. Barnes (2000). 2. Harrison et al. (1997a). 3. del Hoyo et al. (1996).

Text account compilers Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (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: Eupodotis caerulescens. 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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