Species

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
Cercomela dubia is a rare and little-known species from east-central Ethiopia and Somalia. In Ethiopia, there are records from the Awash Valley, including Awash National Park, eastwards, while in Somalia there is a single old record from Mt Wagar, at which it has not been found subsequently despite searches (J. Miskell in litt. 2006). There is no recent information on the status of the species in Somalia; it is also uncertain how many records from Awash have involved confusion with the very similar Brown-tailed Chat C. scotocerca (Butchart 2007).

Population justification
This is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available.

Ecology
The species seems to favour areas of rock and scrub (EWNHS 1996), in common with the closely related Brown-tailed Chat C. scotocerca and Blackstart C. melanura, so it may have been overlooked.

Threats
Reports that refugee camps may have caused at least local declines (P. Robertson in litt. 1998) are erroneous as the camps are not in suitable habitat for this species (J. S. Ash in litt. 1999). No other threats are currently known.

Conservation actions underway
It has been recorded in Awash National Park.

Conservation actions proposed
Survey potentially suitable habitat in east-central Ethiopia and Somalia. Study its ecological requirements and threats.

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

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

Butchart, S. H. M. 2007. Sombre Chat Cercomela dubia. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 14(2): 143.

Further web sources of information
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Khwaja, N., Robertson, P., Starkey, M.

Contributors
Ash, J., Miskell, J., Robertson, P.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Cercomela dubia. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.

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.