Justification This species is classified as Vulnerable on account of its very small range. Although it is apparently currently secure, it is inherently at risk, especially from any loss of its very restricted habitat.

Family/Sub-family Zosteropidae

Species name author Salvadori, 1903

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

Identification 12 cm. Small, all-brown, warbler-like bird. Darker brown upperparts and head, paler on belly with greyish throat. Greyish-blue bill and legs. Voice Long, trilling trrrrrrrruuuuu or rapid tric tric tric.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000-19,999

stable

60 km²

Yes

Range & population Speirops brunneus is known only from Pico Basilé (formerly de Santa Isabel), on Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. It is possible that it could also occur on the nearby (much smaller) Caldera de Luba². Surveys in the early 1990s found the species to be common within its range².

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 the higher slopes (above 1,900 m), where it inhabits lichen forest and montane heathland. It occurs in groups of four to five, searching for insects amongst the lower branches of Hypericum lanceolatum trees and also takes fruit and seeds².

Threats The main threat could be fires set by hunters, but no evidence of this was seen in 1996¹. A visit to the area in 1996 confirmed that habitat at Pico Basilé remained intact¹. Reports up to 2005 indicate that the accelerated rates of deforestation occurring on the island had not affected Pico Basilé⁴. Images of Caldera da Luba and the southern forests taken in 2005 do not indicate any encroachment in these areas⁴.

Conservation measures underway Pico Basilé is a restricted area as the radio mast at the summit of the mountain has been designated a security zone¹. The Bioko Conservation Project has initiated regular research in the forests of the island and increased its international recognition³.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct a baseline survey to obtain a population estimate, map its range more accurately and check for its presence on Caldera de Luba. Monitor the species periodically to ascertain any population and/or range trend. Protect habitat on Caldera da Luba if the species is found there.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. R. A. Cheke in litt. (1999). 2. Pérez del Val (1996). 3. http://www.bioko.org/ 4. R. Cheke in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Robert A Cheke (University of Greenwich)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Speirops brunneus. 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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