Justification Despite its apparent adaptation to secondary habitat, this species must be seriously threatened by the massive forest destruction taking place across its range and its population may well be declining rapidly. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Campephagidae

Species name author (Temminck, 1824)

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

Synonyms Lobotos lobatus Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993)

Identification 21 cm. Brightly coloured bird. Male has black head with green back, yellowish or orange underparts with bright orange gape which makes it unmistakable. Female slightly duller than male. Similar spp. Very similar to forest orioles, but smaller, and has small black, not large red, bill and obvious orange gape. Voice Only call described is a tzzitt in flight. Hints It is an inconspicuous bird, although sometimes observed in mixed-bird parties.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

20,000-49,999

decreasing

345,000 km²

No

Range & population Campephaga lobata is endemic to the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa, where it is known from Ghana (very few records this century), Côte d'Ivoire (Taï and Marahoué National Parks, Mopri, Mt Nimba and Haute Dodo Forest Reserve⁹), Liberia (widespread), Guinea (several observations in Ziama Forest in 1992² and Pic de Fon and Mont Béro Forest Reserves⁹) and Sierra Leone (Gola Forest, where it would appear to have suffered a serious decline¹). In Liberia, it has recently been described as a locally rare to uncommon resident, and the population in 1997 was estimated to be a minimum of 20,000 pairs⁵. In Côte d'Ivoire, recent sightings in Taï National Park suggest that the species is secure there⁴. In Sierra Leone, surveys of Gola Forest in 1988-1989 indicated a population decline¹ and in 2007, the species was seen there twice during extensive surveys, with both records from the sourthern part of Gola North¹². Although the species is now considered rare at this site, it may be overlooked owing to its discreet behaviour¹¹.

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 the canopy of tall trees in lowland rainforest, up to 600 m in Pic de Fon and Mont Béro Forest Reserves in Guinea⁹, sometimes near to rivers, and also in open swamp-forest^1,4,5. However, it would seem to tolerate some habitat alteration, as observations in Liberia have been in both primary and logged forest (usually at heights of between 30-50 m ⁵) and, in Côte d'Ivoire, it has been observed in Terminalia ivorensis plantations, natural managed forest and disturbed forest⁴. In addition, during surveys in 2007, one bird was observed in a patch of Gola Forest that had been seriously damaged by hurricanes¹². It is also known to breed in mature logged forest^1,7. Diet includes caterpillars, grasshoppers and small black seeds.

Threats Remaining large tracts of forest in Liberia are under intense and increasing pressure from commercial logging and a consequent increase in settlement and smallholder agriculture³. Elsewhere in the Upper Guinea region, forest survives in fragmented patches which are under intense pressure for logging and agriculture³. Disturbance in Gola Forest has compromised areas of habitat once considered primary forest¹⁰.

Conservation measures underway Taï National Park is one of the largest and best-preserved areas of Upper Guinea forest.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct further surveys to determine the species's status in Gola Forest^8,11. Conduct surveys to evaluate its presence and status in Ghana⁶. Obtain an up-to-date total population estimate. Monitor rates of forest clearance across the species's range. Upgrade the official protection status of Gola Forest Reserve⁸. In Taï National Park, take measures to mitigate the effects of rapid land-use changes outside the park⁴. In Taï National Park and Gola Forest, ensure that future studies include support for local people to contribute to research, management and tourism in and around the park^4,8. Ensure effective management of Taï National Park and peripheral forests (e.g. Haute Dodo and Cavally Forest Reserves)⁹. Lobby for inclusion of Nzo Faunal Reserve within Taï National Park boundaries⁹.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Allport et al. (1989). 2. Bützler (1996). 3. Anon. (2000). 4. Gartshore et al. (1995). 5. Gatter (1997). 6. Holbech (1992, 1996). 7. P. Robertson in litt. (1998). 8. H. S. Thompson in litt. (1999). 9. H. Rainey in litt. (2007). 10. J. Lindsell in litt. (2007). 11. E. Klop in litt. (2007). 12. F. Dowsett-Lemaire and R.J. Dowsett per E. Klop in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Erik Klop (Leiden University), Jeremy Lindsell (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Hugo Rainey (Wildlife Conservation Society), Pete Robertson (BirdLife International), Hazell Shokellu Thompson

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Graeme A. Taylor (Department of Conservation), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Campephaga lobata. 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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