Justification This species has a very small population, therefore it is classified as Vulnerable. If its habitat becomes threatened and a population decline is recorded, the species could be reclassified as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Vangidae

Species name author Goodman, Hawkins & Domergue, 1997

Taxonomic source(s) Goodman et al. (1997)

Taxonomic note Described as new to science by Goodman et al. (1997).

Identification 14-15 cm. Small, stocky vanga with solid bill and rather short wings. Males are black on bib and lores, white on cheeks, forehead and supercilium, grey on crown and back. Bright brick-red scapulars and wing-coverts, darker grey wings, dark brown tail with rufous inner webs. White underparts with chestnut flecking on sides of breast. Females sandy-brown on back and head, with paler eye-ring and forehead, and pinkish breast. Pale pink legs and feet, conspicuous pale yellow eye and blackish bill. Similar spp. From Red-tailed Vanga C. madagascariensis by yellow iris, shorter wings, longer tail, longer bill. Female from newtonias Newtonia by red shoulders and tail, thicker bill, pale eye-ring. Voice Song is loud tyu-tee, second note louder and more whistled.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

stable

17,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Calicalicus rufocarpalis was described from two specimens collected in 1947 near Toliara, south-west Madagascar¹. It was not seen again until photographed in 1992 and seen in July 1997, when about nine males were located in the same area, on the road between La Table and St Augustin in an area of suitable habitat covering c.30 km², indicating a possible population of 30-100 pairs in the area². Further south, it is now known from Hatokaliotsy, Tsimanampetsotsa and other areas on the Mahafaly plateau, but its density appears to be relatively low⁴. Most recently its known range has been extended 50 km south, with several records at Linta and suitable habitat further south of this site⁵.

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

Ecology: The species is found in dense Euphorbia scrub, where it forages in low, dense bushes, 2-3 m high, feeding on small insects, mostly by gleaning from leaves and branches and also by sally-gleaning². Often in family groups, it may be difficult to find if not calling.

Threats The species's known habitat is being patchily degraded by shrub clearance for charcoal and grazing by goats²; localised timber extraction is also a problem at some sites⁵. However, much habitat remains intact because the soil is unsuitable for agriculture, and the area is inhabited predominantly by fishermen and goat-herders². This situation could change rapidly, however, if immigrant agriculturalists with different agricultural techniques move to the area²; population densities remain high in most of its scrubby habitat⁵.

Conservation measures underway The Mahafaly plateau includes Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Reserve, the only protected area which holds the species². The region around Hatokaliotsy has been identified as a site of special biodiversity interest³ and warrants protected-area designation².

Conservation measures proposed Establish population-density estimates in different habitats and degrees of forest degradation, especially in Euphorbia scrub around Tsimanampetsotsa and Hatokaliotsy and to the north of the main Toliara-Antananarivo road². Conduct research into the species's ecology, including interactions with sympatric species⁶. Carry out sample surveys of suitable habitat in its projected range, to confirm its presence/absence, especially south of Linta⁵. Monitor the clearance and degradation of Euphorbia scrub within the species's projected range. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status, including the region around Hatokaliotsy.

References 1. Goodman et al. (1997a). 2. Hawkins et al. (1998). 3. Nicoll and Langrand (1989). 4. ZICOMA (1999). 5. Sim and Zefania (2002). 6. M. Rabenandrasana in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Graeme A. Taylor (Department of Conservation), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Frank Hawkins (Conservation International), Marc Rabenandrasana (Asity: Ligue Malagache pour la Protec. des Oiseaux)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Calicalicus rufocarpalis. 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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