Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is assessed as Near Threatened because it has a suspected small population size which is declining as a result of habitat loss throughout its limited range.
Population justification
This species has been described as common (Dean 2000) but more recently as not common and not widespread (M. Mills in litt. 2016). The species occurs in scarp forest, a quite different habitat to the closely related White-throated Greenbul P. albigularis and it is likely that it occurs at far lower densities than that species (which has been estimated to occur at 114 individuals/km2 in unlogged and 83 individuals/km2 in logged forest [Owiunji and Plumptre 1998]). As a consequence of its apparent rarity the population size is tentatively placed in the range of 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, roughly equating to 3,750-15,000 total individuals, though this requires confirmation.
Trend justification
Tree cover loss within the range is currently estimated at 11% over three generations (11.07 years) (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), although in some areas 20-70% of canopy trees and undergrowth is being cleared for subsistence agriculture, while in others it may reach 95% forest loss (Dean 2001). Assuming that population declines are roughly equivalent to the rate of forest loss, the species may be declining at <19% over three generations.
This forest dependent species is found in north-west Angola from Cuanza Norte and northern Cuanza Sul. There are two separate forested regions in which the species occurs, but it is unclear whether there is dispersal between these recently fragmented areas or if they are separate subpopulations.
The species is associated with dense undergrowth in primary and secondary scarp forests, and at the edge of clearings (Dean 2000, del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Tree cover loss within the range is currently estimated at 11% over three generations (11.07 years) (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). In some areas, 20-70% of canopy trees and all the undergrowth in valley bottoms is being cleared to plant bananas and sweet potatoes (Dean 2001). In other areas, up to 95% of the forest canopy is being removed to plant cassava and maize (Dean 2001). However, it is unclear to what extent such habitat loss is occurring throughout the entirety of this species’ range, and the species does utilise edge habitats (Dean 2000). Large-scale logging is also diminishing most of the northern scarp (M. Mills. in litt. 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to determine its distribution, population numbers and habitat requirements. Use satellite imagery to assess the current extent of forest-cover and identify potential areas of suitable habitat for surveying. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.
Text account compilers
Rotton, H.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Mills, M. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Angola Greenbul Phyllastrephus viridiceps. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/angola-greenbul-phyllastrephus-viridiceps 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.