Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classed as Near Threatened because it probably has a moderately small population, which is potentially in decline owing to the conversion and alteration of its grassland habitat. Evidence that suggests it has a small, declining population might qualify the species for a higher threat category.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified; it was considered uncommon in the 1990s. The population in the northern montane grasslands of the Bale Mountains may be c.700-950 individuals (Mamo et al. 2014).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.
Macronyx flavicollis is endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia, where it is absent only in the extreme north and west (Keith et al. 1992). The species is widespread, but was described as uncommon at all of the nine sites where it was recorded during a survey of Important Bird Areas during 1995-1996 (EWNHS 1996). Previously it had been described as locally scarce to abundant (Keith et al. 1992), and a survey in 1989 suggested that it was less common than in the 1970s (Ash and Gullick 1989).
It is a bird of open grassland, including tussock-grassland on moorland, and has once been found nesting in crops (Keith et al. 1992). It occurs from 1,200 to 4,100 m and is commonest between 1,800 and 2,750 m (Keith et al. 1992). This species forages on the ground and its diet comprises insects and other invertebrates (del Hoyo et al. 2004). Breeding occurs mainly in June-August, occassionally in February. The nest, in which 2-4 eggs are laid, is a grass cup lined with fibre or horsehair, situated on the ground amoung young crops or grass (Vivero Pol 2001, del Hoyo et al. 2004).
It could well be declining as a result of the increasing levels of cultivation, grazing and the conversion of its habitat for infrastructure (Y. Abebe in litt. 2012) that are a consequence of the continuing expansion of Ethiopia's human population. For instance it is more common on ungrazed/less grazed land compared to more heavily grazed land (Mamo et al. 2014, 2016). Drought may impact upon this species because dry conditions negatively affect the tussock grass it requires for breeding (Y. Abebe in litt. 2012).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation action is known for the species.
Text account compilers
O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Starkey, M., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.
Contributors
Abebe, Y.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/abyssinian-longclaw-macronyx-flavicollis on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.