Justification This species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small population, which is probably declining as a consequence of habitat degradation and destruction resulting from development for tourism.

Family/Sub-family Muscicapidae

Species name author (Meade-Waldo, 1889)

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

Identification 12 cm. Restricted-range chat. Males have a black head with a short, narrow white supercilium and throat - the latter continues on around the ear-coverts to form a narrow half-collar. Rump dark, remainder of upperparts brown, broadly streaked with black. Orange-buff patch on upper breast, remaining underparts dull white. Female paler, greyer and features more diffused and blurred.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

3,900 - 3,900

decreasing

1,400 km²

Yes

Range & population Saxicola dacotiae is endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain, where it breeds only on Fuerteventura (with occasional records from southern Lanzarote)⁸. Formerly, it also occurred on the islands of Alegranza (where it was fairly common) and Montaña Clara, but these populations probably went extinct in the first half of the 20th century as a result of a combination of natural factors and predation by introduced mammals^4,8. The only census carried out to date estimated a population of 650-850 breeding pairs in 1985¹. More recent observations indicate that the current figure may be higher, but this almost certainly reflects differing survey methods, rather than a real increase in numbers. Optimal habitat continues to be impacted by rapid development for tourism, and it is likely that the population has declined since 1985, and continues to do so as development, predation by introduced mammals and excessive grazing continues and increases⁵.

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 rocky hillsides and "barranco" (= ravine) habitats with shrubby vegetation cover³, typically of aulaga Launaea arborescens, saltwort Salsola vermiculata and box-thorn Lycium intricatum. These habitats support a high abundance of invertebrates, and provide suitable nesting sites and perches from which the species can forage for arthropods³. It also occurs on the edge of vegetated "malpaíses" (= lava flows), dry and flowing watercourses, cultivated areas and gardens⁸. Individuals appear to show strong site fidelity, potentially as a consequence of low spatial variance in the habitat characteristics determining reproductive success⁷.

Threats Recent rapid increases in infrastructural development, such as tourist and residential centres, road building, industrial plants, mineral operations and golf courses, are destroying the habitat of this species (particularly on the Jandía peninsula in the south of Fuerteventura)⁵. Additional threats include excessive grazing by extensively-ranched, semi-feral "coastal" goats (which accelerates desertification and reduces vegetation cover and food availability⁶), and nest predation by feral cats Felis catus and other introduced mammals, such as rats Rattus spp.^5,6. High fidelity to particular sites may exacerbate the problem of the destruction and degradation of optimal habitats⁷.

Conservation measures underway An action plan was produced in 1999². Various studies of the species's habitat usage^3,4, breeding biology⁶ and dispersal⁷ have been undertaken since 1998.

Conservation measures proposed Develop, approve and implement a national Conservation Plan for the species⁵. Conduct a complete population census and remap the species's distribution^2,5. Develop a monitoring programme^2,5. Identify and protect key areas of optimal habitat for the species, and reduce the number of "coastal goats" in these areas^2,3,5. Raise awareness of the species among the resident and tourist populations, particularly the threat from off-road driving and introduced mammals^2,5. Attempt to control predators at key sites where their impact on breeding success is particularly severe ⁵.

References Tucker and Heath (1994). 1. Bibby and Hill (1987). 2. Illera (1999). 3. Illera (2001). 4. Illera et al. (2006). 5. Illera (2004). 6. Illera and Díaz (2006). 7. Illera and Díaz (in press). 8. Martín and Lorenzo (2001).

Further web sources of information

Action Plan

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

Text account compilers David Capper (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Contributors José Manuel Arcos (SEO/BirdLife), Juan Carlos Illera (IPNA-CSIC), Ana Iñigo (Sociedad Española de Ornitología), Daniel Oro (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats)

IUCN Red List evaluators Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Saxicola dacotiae. 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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