Species

Taxonomic note
Pogoniulus bilineatus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into P. bilineatus and P. makawai following Benson and Irwin (1965), a decision confirmed by Collar and Fishpool (2006).

Identification
11 cm. Tiny, thick-billed barbet. Black head with white moustachial strip and white breast are diagnostic. Similar spp. Differs from Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird by lacking white stripe above eye and having a white, not grey breast. Has been considered possibly an aberrant form of Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. Voice Unknown. Hints Known only from one specimen taken at Mayau, Zambia.

Distribution and population
Pogoniulus makawai is judged to be a rare, relict species which remains known only from the type-specimen, collected in 1964 at Mayau in north-western Zambia (Benson and Irwin 1965), despite repeated attempts to relocate the taxon (Dowsett and Dowsett-Lemaire 1993). Another possibility is that the type specimen was collected in riverine forest along the Mayau River, in which case the species may occupy a more restricted habitat (Collar and Fishpool 2006). Alternatively the type specimen was a straggler from somewhat different habitats in adjacent Angola (Collar and Fishpool 2006). The congener Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pognolius bilineatus occurs at the type locality of makawai on the limit of its range. Therefore, it is possible that makawai replaces it to the west in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Collar and Fishpool 2006). Although it has been treated as an aberrant P. bilineatus by many authorities, the case for its validity as a distinct species has recently been argued again (Collar and Fishpool 2006). There is a need for intensive surveys in the area of the type-locality, and further north and west, covering any slight variations in the structure of Cryptosepalum forest caused by water or topographical features, and paying special attention to mistletoes.

Population justification
This species is only known from its type specimen and as such no population estimates are available.

Trend justification
Data on overall population size and trends is lacking.

Ecology
It would seem to favour dense, evergreen Cryptosepalum thicket, dominated by C. pseudotaxus, and there are large areas of apparently suitable habitat in the relevant area of north-west Zambia and adjacent Angola. The voluminous bill of makawai suggests it may specialise on the berries of mistletoe as other tinkerbirds have been found to (Collar and Fishpool 2006).

Threats
The Cryptosepalum thickets are sparsely populated by people outside the West Lunga National Park and are difficult to clear for agriculture, so its habitat would appear not to be threatened, although fire is a potential risk as it has affected nearby areas.

Conservation actions underway
The most extensive areas of suitable habitat occur within Lukwakwa Game Management Area.

Conservation actions proposed
Carry out intensive surveys in the area of the type-locality, and further north and west, covering any slight variations in the structure of Cryptosepalum forest caused by water or topographical features, and paying special attention to mistletoes. Clarify taxonomic status.

References
Benson, C. W.; Irwin, M. P. S. 1965. A new species of tinker-barbet from northern Rhodesia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 85: 5-9.

Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1993. A supplement to 'Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world'. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Dowsett, R. J.; Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1993. Comments on the taxonomy of some Afrotropical bird species. In: Dowsett, R.J.; Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (ed.), A contribution to the distribution and taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy birds, pp. 323-389. Tauraco Press, Liège, Belgium.

Collar, N.J. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2006. What is Pogoniulus makawai? Bulletin of the African Bird Club 13(1): 18-27.

Text account compilers
Bird, J., Butchart, S., Shutes, S., Starkey, M., Symes, A.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Pogoniulus makawai. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013.

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.

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