Family/Sub-family Hirundinidae

Species name author Hartlaub, 1861

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

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

unset

47,000 km²

No

Range & population Pseudochelidon eurystomina breeds in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (middle and upper Congo River and lower Ubangi River)¹, Gabon (Gamba⁸, Animba near Port-Gentil and, recently discovered, near Libreville itself; also potentially throughout the coastal areas south of Point Pongara, as far as the border with the Congo)² and Congo (several hundred birds discovered in 1996 in the Conkouati Reserve)^4,9. The total population size is unknown; in the late 1980s, it appeared to be common, if local, and large numbers have been seen on migration in Gabon¹¹, such as the Ogooué River and Makokou where, in 1997, a flock of c.15,000 were observed¹⁰, and a mixed flock of this species and Rosy Bee-eater Merops malimbicus at Igeula, Loango, in September 2005, was estimated to number 100,000 birds¹². However it is particularly poorly known in the DRC and it is not known if there is any relationship between the birds breeding in the DRC and those breeding in coastal areas of Gabon and Congo². Birds from the Congo migrate westwards across Gabon (main passage from June to early September)⁷, arriving at Gamba on the coast from mid-August onwards and on the coast of the Congo from mid-September⁵. After breeding in the coastal areas, they depart from late October-November⁵ with the main passage back across Gabon from December to March⁷. At Odzala in northern Congo, birds have been observed flying west towards coastal breeding grounds in August, returning in late January, but the numbers involved are much lower than those observed in Gabon⁶. In 1994, three or four birds were observed on passage at Ngotto in the Central African Republic³.

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

Ecology: It breeds in large colonies (up to c.800 individuals) along forested rivers, on islands with sandy shores and on beach ridges in coastal savanna¹¹. Nest holes are dug into sandbars which are exposed when river levels are low¹¹. Outside the breeding season it roosts in reed-beds or riverine vegetation².

Threats In the 1950s, the species was caught and eaten in large quantities in the DRC by the local population¹, and this practice could be on the increase⁶. Breeding colonies in river sandbars are liable to flooding⁸, the incidence of flooding could increase with trends in deforestation.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys, particularly in D.R. Congo, to determine true range and abundance. Regularly monitor the species at known migration sites in Gabon to determine trends. Research the extent and nature of the threat caused by hunting. Protect large areas of forest at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community led multiple use areas.

References 1. Chapin (1953). 2. P. Christy in litt. (1999). 3. Dowsett et al. (1999b). 4. Dowsett-Lemaire (1997a). 5. Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett (1991). 6. F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. (1997). 7. Erard (1981). 8. Keith et al. (1992). 9. Maisels and Cruickshank (2000). 10. Sinclair (1998). 11. Turner and Rose (1989). 12. Barnes (2005).

Text account compilers Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Robert J. Dowsett, Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire, Sebastien Hogberg, Fiona Maisels (Wildlife Conservation Society)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pseudochelidon eurystomina. 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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