Species

Justification
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is suspected to have a moderately small population, which is threatened by habitat clearance and degradation within its very restricted range. If evidence is obtained showing that the population is in decline, the species may qualify for a higher threat category.

Taxonomic source(s)
Dowsett, R. J.; Forbes-Watson, A. D. 1993. Checklist of birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. Tauraco Press, Li
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Distribution and population
Streptopelia reichenowi is restricted to the vicinity of the Jubba and Shabeelle rivers, which flow from Ethiopia into Somalia, as well as the Daua river (a tributary of the Jubba) along the border between north-east Kenya and Ethiopia. It appears to be common to abundant within this highly restricted range (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common (Gibbs et al. 2001).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Ecology
In Somalia, the species is found in riparian woodland, usually near water, and has also been seen in towns (Madgwick 1986). In Ethiopia, it has colonised windbreaks planted next to irrigation channels (Brown 1977) and is also found in drier vegetation a few kilometres from rivers (Urban et al. 1986), where it replaces other Streptopelia species (Brown 1977). S. reichenowi forages mainly on the ground, with berries being an important food item. Breeding is known to occur in January and February in Ethiopia (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The nest is a loose platform of interlaced petioles and twigs, 15 cm in width and situated 2.5 m high in a Parkinsonia tree. The clutch-size is two (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Threats
Riverine woodland in Ethiopia is being destroyed owing to conversion to agriculture and fuelwood collection (EWNHS 1996), and it is considered highly threatened in Somalia for the same reasons (Ash and Miskell 1998; Madgwick 1986). These widespread threats to the species's natural habitat cause some concern for its future, but its ability to colonise secondary habitats (near water) may be sufficient to ensure its survival. The effects on the species and its habitats of armed conflict and civil unrest in the region are unknown (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Conservation actions underway
No conservation action for the species is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Study the species's ability to survive in modified habitats. Monitor rates of riparian woodland clearance and degradation within its range. Protect areas of the species's habitat.

References
Brown, L. H. 1977. The White-winged Dove Streptopelia reichenowi in SE Ethiopia, comparisons with other species, and a field key for indentification. Scopus 1(4): 107-109.

Madgwick, J. 1986. Somalia research project: an ecological study of the remaining areas of riverine forest in the Jubba valley, Southern Somalia. University College London, London.

Urban, E. K.; Fry, C. H.; Keith, S. 1986. The birds of Africa vol. II. Academic Press, London.

EWNHS. 1996. Important Bird Areas of Ethiopia: a first inventory. Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society, Addis Ababa.

del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Ash, J. S.; Miskell, J. E. 1998. Birds of Somalia. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, U.K.

Further web sources of information
Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Evans, M., O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Symes, A., Taylor, J.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Taylor, J.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Streptopelia reichenowi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.

Additional resources for this species

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