Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is thought to have a moderately small population which is expected to experience a moderately rapid population decline over the next ten years, owing to forest clearance and degradation. Any evidence that it has a small population, or is undergoing a rapid population decline, might qualify the species for uplisting to a higher threat category.

Family/Sub-family Vangidae

Species name author (Schlegel, 1868)

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

Identification A solid, thick-billed vanga. Males are black-hooded, with the upper breast in addition black; the underparts are whitish and the back grey. The bill is pale blue. Females are similar but the hood covers only the head and the breast is pink- or orange-tinged. Similar spp. Males are distinguished from Ashy Cuckoo-shrike Coracina cinerea and females from Tylas Vanga Tylas eduardi by the conspicuous deep pale blue bill. Hints Rather scarce, apparently most common in mid- and high-altitudes in southern Malagasy rainforest, where it may be found stripping moss off branches in mixed-species flocks. This and the next species share the characteristic Xenopirostris whistle, a loud tseeang.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

unset

148,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Xenopirostris polleni is patchily distributed in primary humid evergreen forest throughout eastern Madagascar. It is fairly common between Andohahela and Ranomafana, from sea-level to 1,950 m, but seems to be much scarcer in the northern half of its range^2,3.

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

Ecology: This species occupies the middle and upper levels of undisturbed rainforest⁵. It often joins other large vangas in mixed-species flocks, foraging for invertebrates (e.g. caterpillars, insects and spiders) on dead wood, especially under dead bark and in twigs^5,6. Nesting has been observed in October-December, and its clutch-size is two eggs.

Threats The species's forest habitat is threatened by slash-and-burn cultivation for subsistence farming¹ and commercial logging⁴. If present trends continue, much of the remaining forest, especially at lower altitudes, will disappear within decades¹.

Conservation measures underway No direct conservation action is known for this species.

Conservation measures proposed Carry out surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation across its range. Protect important areas of habitat for the species.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Du Puy and Moat (1996). 2. Goodman et al. (1997). 3. Hawkins and Goodman (1999). 4. A. F. A. Hawkins in litt. (1995). 5. Langrand (1990). 6. Morris and Hawkins (1998).

Text account compilers Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Frank Hawkins (Conservation International), Olivier Langrand (Conservation International)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Xenopirostris polleni. 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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