Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species, only discovered in 1975, is the only bird species endemic to Algeria, and it has recently been discovered at two new sites. The population is very small, and it is likely to be declining. It has very specific ecological requirements and its habitat is declining in quality. It is therefore classified as Endangered.
Population justification
The population size was estimated not to exceed 1,000 birds by (Harrap 2002). With the discovery of the additional two sites, it is now estimated that the population size could be between 500-1,000 breeding pairs (Haddad and Afoutni 2019). It is therefore placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals, but the upper estimate is closer to 2,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
This species has a high forest dependency. Between 2009-2019, its range experienced a forest loss of 6.1% (Global Forest Watch 2020). Additionally, declines in density have been observed in its stronghold on the Guerrouch massif. In 1991, densities of 2-3.1 pairs per 10 ha were found by Bellatreche (1991) (as reported by Moulai et al. 2017), whereas in 2016, densities of 1-2 pairs per 10 ha were found by Moulai et al. (2017). The population is therefore inferred to be declining.
The reduction in population densities reported by Moulai et al. (2017) equates to a decline of 35-50% over a 25-years period, which equates roughly to a rate of decline of 15-25% over ten years. The rates of decline at the other sites is unknown, however it is likely to be declining at a higher rate than forest loss alone (which would equate to <10%). Due to uncertainties, the overall rate of decline is precautionarily placed in the band 20-29% over ten years.
Sitta ledanti maintains populations at six known sites in Algeria. There are c.350 total individuals (roughly equating to 210 mature individuals) within the Taza National Park on the Guerrouch massif, c.80 pairs on Mt Babor (where optimum habitat covers only 2.5 km2) (as reported by Bougaham et al. 2018) and two further populations adjacent to those in the Taza National Park survive at Tamentout (c.187 total individuals, of which 160 were breeding (Hamitouche et al. 2020)), and Djimla (c.60 individuals (Bougaham et al. 2018)), with these four sites within 30 km of each other but separated by tracts of unsuitable habitat (Harrap 1992). The species has also recently been found at Ghabbet Ezzen, 10 km north of the forest of Djimla (Moulai and Mayache 2018), and at Djebel El Djarda in the Beni Khatab forest massif, 13 km northwest of the Djimla forest (Haddad and Afoutni 2019). Birds were found at a density of 4 pairs per 10 h by Isenmann and Moali (2000). It is possible that the total population does not exceed 2,000 birds (Haddad and Afoutni 2019).
It is found in summit forest (c.2,000 m), in oak forest from 350-1,120 m, and in poorly regenerating oak forest between 900 and 1,400 m. Low altitude (c.800 m) habitats in Tamentout Forest consist of cork oak dominated-forest stands where nuthatch densities are likely to be much lower than at higher altitudes (c.1000 m and above) where cork oaks are replaced by pure deciduous oak species (Quercus canariensis and Q. afares) (Monticelli and Legrand 2009). The forest of Beni afer (Ghabbet Ezzen) occupies 700 ha and rises to 1,200 m (Moulai and Mayache 2018). The forest of Djebel El Djarda is a forest of cork oaks, and is easily penetrated (Haddad and Afoutni 2019). In summer, it forages on tree trunks and in the twigs and outer branches of oaks, feeding on insects (mainly caterpillars and beetles) and spiders. In winter, it feeds largely on nuts and seeds of which the four seed-producing trees on Mt Babor appear to ensure a constant supply (Harrap and Quinn 1996). In Tamentout and Mt Babor, the breeding season is May-June, depending on weather conditions or possibly abundance of food, and perhaps generally later at higher altitude sites (D. Monticelli in litt. 2012). In Taza National Park, the breeding season is known to finish by late June (Harrap and Quinn 1996). Nest-holes are usually located 3-15 m up in dead fir trees and also in cedar and oak snags.
The species is threatened by local subsistence logging, overgrazing, repeated fires, and the abundance of edges and clearings within the forest (Bougaham et al. 2018). The summit forests of Mt Babor (although in a national park) have been reduced by fire, which also changes the habitat from rich mixed forest to a poorer cedar-dominated succession (Harrap and Quinn 1996). Large numbers of livestock cause lack of regeneration and an impoverished understorey (Harrap and Quinn 1996). Illegal deforestation takes place on Mt Babor and Tamentout (D. Monticelli in litt. 2009).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is well protected in the Taza National Park (Harrap and Quinn 1996).
12.5 cm. Small, rotund, short-tailed nuthatch. Male has small black cap and obvious white eye-stripe, grey upperparts and white throat and buffy breast and belly. Female has a grey crown with some black feathers on the forecrown and has overall paler breast and belly. Both male and female have creamy-buff vent and undertail coverts with several diffuse grey spots. Voice Nuthatch-like call of tseet tseet. Birds give also a rather harsh, jay-like “schrr-schrr”, repeated a few times Hints Birds may join mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Ekstrom, J., Haddad, K., Isenmann, P., Monticelli, D., Pilgrim, J., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Algerian Nuthatch Sitta ledanti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/algerian-nuthatch-sitta-ledanti on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.