BirdLife species factsheet for Verreaux’s Coua
Verreaux’s Coua Coua verreauxi is restricted to south-west Madagascar. It is currently listed as Near Threatened under criterion B1ab(iii) because it was thought likely to have a small range in which the area, extent and quality of habitat were declining. However, mapping of this species’s range suggests that it is larger than previously thought, with an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 63,300km2. The population size of this species has not yet been quantified, but the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and described as abundant within suitable habitat. Thus, this species no longer qualifies as Near Threatened under the range size criterion, and may warrant downlisting to Least Concern.
Information is requested on the population size, trends and distribution of this species. Additional comments on the proposed downlisting are also welcome.
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The post states that the range of the species is greater than previously thought, but it’s not clear what sources this is based on. Note that Raselimanana et al (2012) have extended the range further, recording the species in the Mikea forest 120 km north of the previous known range.;
Raselimanana, A.P., Raherilalao, M.J., Soarimalala, V., Gardner, C.J., Jasper, L.D., Schoeman, M.C. and Goodman, S.M. 2012. Un premier aperçu de la faune de vertébrés du bush épineux de Salary-Bekodoy, à l’ouest du Parc National de Mikea, Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 6 : 1-23.
http://www.vahatra.mg/volume6_1/MN%206_Raselimanana%20et%20al.%202012_Vertebres%20Salary.pdf