Justification Some parts of this species's small and fragmented range are well-protected by reserves or by their remoteness. However, forests in the East Usambara Mountains, the only area in which it is common, are being rapidly altered or cleared. Its range and population are therefore suspected to be declining and it qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Nectariniidae

Species name author Reichenow, 1905

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

Identification 8.5-9 cm. Small sunbird of forest canopy and edges with short, gently-curved bill. Iridescent green upperparts contrasting with dark wings. Dull grey underparts. Male has inconspicuous, reddish breast-band (diagnostic). Female like male but with head more olive-green, greyish below and lacking breast band. Similar spp. Female Collared Sunbirds A. collaris also have iridescent upperparts, but bright yellow underparts. Voice Far-carrying shwerp. Hints In forest patches near Amani, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

6,700 km²

Yes

Range & population Anthreptes rubritorques is found in five areas of forest in eastern Tanzania: the Usambara, Nguu, Nguru, Uluguru and Udzungwa Mountains. It is only considered common in parts of the Usambaras, being elsewhere uncommon to rare^3,4,6. The population in the Udzungwas is guessed to number c.1,000 individuals⁹, or more conservatively 'some hundred' individuals, and has been recorded at only three localities¹¹. The Uluguru population is known from only five specimens and any remaining population is likely to be found in the North Forest Reserve, since suitable habitat is generally absent elsewhere. The species was not located in the Ulugurus during surveys in 1999-2001¹². However, there are still areas in the south Ulugurus that are unexplored and there may be other sites within Ulu where the species occurs⁹.

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

Ecology: It has been recorded in rainforest at mid-altitudes^4,8, in the canopy and (more frequently) in forest-edge habitats - e.g. large glades, disturbed or secondary forest with some surviving large trees, gardens and exotic plantations - although this is probably because it is easier to see in such open areas³, and it is probably dependent on adjacent primary forest. The species is likely to show seasonal shifts in habitat preference, in reaction to changes in food abundance, probably showing a preference for forest edge habitats during the dry season and then moving to dense forest in the rainy season⁹. The diet includes nectar and small berries^1,3. During the breeding season it will also take small insects and spiders to provide protein for nestlings⁹. Breeding has been recorded from 300 to 800 m, although it occurs from 200 to 1,500 m. It is possible that the species undertakes altitudinal migrations, in which case habitat at lower elevations may be more vital to the species than previously thought⁹. A nest was 15 m up in the crown of a leafless tree, deep in the forest⁴.

Threats It is threatened over most of its range, by forest loss and degradation, as a result of clearance for agriculture, replacement of natural forest with plantations, and tree-cutting for timber and firewood⁴. The fact that lower altitude forest is cleared first impacts the species¹⁰. In the Usambaras, the large human population is putting increasing pressure on land and the forests are highly fragmented⁴. In the Ulugurus, inaccessible terrain protects the main montane forest block, but the lower slopes, around the species's optimal altitude, are being steadily cleared. Forest in the Ulugurus declined from c.300 km² in 1955 to c.230 km² in 2001, mostly due to clearance for cultivation below 1,600 m¹². Thus, the population in the Ulugurus might be extirpated as a result of an increasing human population. Forests in Nguru are not currently considered threatened because of their precipitous terrain and the low human population. In the Udzungwas, some areas of potential forest habitat are under pressure and shrinking¹⁰.

Conservation measures underway The East Usambara Catchment Forest Project has curbed much forest destruction and much of the remaining unprotected forest has been incorporated into reserves, e.g. Mt Nilo Forest Reserve now contains a significant area of mid-altitude forest, although lack of jurisdiction over the neighbouring Public Lands Forest threatens its long-term prospects. In the Udzungwas, it occurs in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve. In the Ulugurus, conservation projects are aiming to assist local initiatives and increase involvement of local communities in forest management².

Conservation measures proposed Survey further areas of the Nguu Mountains to establish its distribution in the Forest Reserves⁵. Carry out reseach into the species's ecology in the Usambaras⁹, and assess why it is more common in parts of the East Usambaras than elsewhere. Search for it in the Ulugurus⁷. Assess the total population size. Carry out regular surveys to monitor population trends, particularly in the Usambaras⁹. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation in the areas in which it occurs. Improve the protection of forests and buffer zones⁹. Prevent settlements in forests, especially in the Usambaras⁹.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. N. Baker in litt (1999). 2. Buckley and Matilya (1998). 3. Cordeiro (1998). 4. Evans (1997b). 5. Seddon et al. (1999a). 6. Seddon et al. (1999b). 7. Svendsen and Hansen (1995). 8. Zimmerman et al. (1996). 9. L. Hansen in litt. (2007). 10. L. Dinesen in litt. (2007). 11. Dinesen et al. (2001). 12. Burgess et al. (2002).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Neil Baker (Tanzania Bird Atlas Project), Lars Dinesen, Louis Hansen (University of Copenhagen), Alan Tye

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Anthreptes rubritorques. 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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