Acrocephalus brevipennis — Details

Cape Verde Swamp-warbler learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Distribution

Range

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Santiago (Cape Verde Is.). Extirpated on São Nicolau and Brava.
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Range Description

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Acrocephalus brevipennis was until recently believed to be confined to Santiago, Cape Verde Islands, where it is now only locally distributed, mainly in the interior, with a few isolated sites in the south and west. It has apparently died out on Brava (no records since 1969 and formerly scarce) and was believed to have died out on São Nicolau (where it was formerly numerous). However, a previously unreported specimen collected on São Nicolau in October 1970, was discovered in the collection of the Centro de Zoologia, Lisbon, providing the impetus for a thorough search of the island4 and, in 1998, surveys located eight territories confined to the north-west of the island (though its long-term prospects for survival here are poor)5. In October 2004, a population was discovered on Fogo, in the fertile northeast of the island, with at least 32 males recorded, 16 of which were seen to be paired7. The species is suspected to also occur in the northwest of Fogo7. In addition, the species may have formerly occurred on Santo Antão2. On Santiago, the species was recently reported from Tarrafal, far to the north of the species's known range9. The total population was estimated at c.500 pairs in the early 1990s2, and probably numbers 1,000-1,500 birds based on its known range in 20079.
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
Its original habitat was probably scrub on mountain slopes and reedbeds in valleys1. It is now found in a broad range of habitats up to 1000 m8 (though mostly lower, and formerly only thought to range to 500 m 2). The habitats occupied at lower elevations include well-vegetated valleys (especially with patches of reeds), reedbeds, woodland, agricultural areas, and gardens in villages and small towns, notably near running water2. In 2004, a population in the interior of Santiago was noted inhabiting Eucalyptus forest with dense, bushy undergrowth at 800-1000 m8. On São Nicolau, it inhabits small, dense stands of cane Arundo donax along dry riverbeds, often with shrubs and fruit trees5. On Fogo, it inhabits coffee plantations with scattered fruit trees and maize fields with coffee bushes in areas characterised by narrow, shrub-filled ravines at 490-950 m7. It breeds mainly in August-November, but the breeding season may be extended in response to local rainfall2.

Systems
  • Terrestrial
  • Freshwater
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
EN
Endangered

Red List Criteria
B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2008

Assessor/s
BirdLife International

Reviewer/s
Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s
Hering, H., Hering, J., Hazevoet, C.

Justification
This species is confined to three small islands where, despite its adaptation to artificial habitats, its population is declining as a result of successive droughts and an increasing human population. Its future on one island, in particular, is precarious. It is therefore classified as Endangered.

History
  • 2004
    Endangered
  • 2000
    Endangered
  • 1996
    Vulnerable
  • 1994
    Vulnerable
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Population

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Population
The population was estimated at c.500 pairs in the early 1990s (Hazevoet 1995), and probably numbers 1,000-1,500 birds based on its known range in 2007 (C.J. Hazevoet in litt. 2007).

Population Trend
Decreasing
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Threats

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Major Threats
Habitat loss due to the combined effects of successive droughts and an increasing human population may be responsible for the population decline and restriction of its distribution on Santiago6. This is almost certainly the cause of its decline on São Nicolau and extinction from Brava, where continuing desiccation has restricted agricultural productivity1. In addition, disease and enviromental catastrophies are potential threats to these island populations5.
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions Underway
Wildlife Protection Laws, proposed in the late 1980s, have still not materialised and, as of 2007, the species still has no legal protection9.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further searches on Brava to determine whether the species is definitely extinct there5. Encourage local farmers on São Nicolau to plant stands of A. donax cane amongst their fruit trees, by means of agricultural subsidies, to increase the area of available habitat (however, this would be extremely difficult to implement)5. Carry out large-scale and long-term education and information programmes, directed at both the local authorities and general public3. Study the species's distribution7. Research its habitat requirements7. Investigate what threats it faces7. Conduct research into possible conservation actions7. Focus research efforts on the recently discovered population on Fogo7.

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Wikipedia

Cape Verde Warbler

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The Cape Verde Warbler (Acrocephalus brevipennis) is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is also known as the Cape Verde Cane Warbler or Cape Verde Swamp Warbler, and in Portuguese as Chincherote[2] (also Tchintchirote[3]). It breeds both on Santiago and on Fogo in the Cape Verde Islands. It previously bred on Brava and San Nicolau. This small passerine bird is found in well-vegetated valleys, avoiding drier areas. It nests in reedbeds, 2–3 eggs are laid in a suspended nest.[4]

This is a medium-sized warbler, larger than the Eurasian Reed Warbler. It resembles that bird in appearance, grey-brown above, greyish-white below, with no obvious markings. The geographical isolation of the bird on the Cape Verde Islands prevents confusion with other similar species. The song is a distinctive liquid bubbling, like that of a bulbul.[4]

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Acrocephalus brevipennis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 July 2012. 
  2. ^ http://www.infopedia.pt/lingua-portuguesa/chincherote
  3. ^ https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10125/6920/uhm_mfa_442_r.pdf
    Note: because of different spelling systems in use it's also found as Txintxiroti.
  4. ^ a b Donald, P. F.; Taylor, R.; de Ponte Machado, M.; Pitta Groz, M. J.; Wells, C. E.; Marlow, T.; Hille, S. M. (2004). "Status of the Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis on São Nicolau, with notes on song, breeding behaviour and threats" (PDF). Malimbus 26: 34–37. 
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