LC
Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides



Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
Based on a speculated 800,000 pairs of the nominate subspecies (the majority found in Saudi Arabia) and 130,000 pairs of subspecies boscaweni (the majority found in Oman) (Jennings 2010), the species may number 930,000 pairs, roughly converted to 1,240,000 mature individuals. To account for any uncertainty, the population size is suspected to fall into the band of 1,000,000-1,299,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Ecology

The species occurs in desert country, usually where areas of flat ground occurs, and where stone walls and earth banks, and rocky hillsides are present; the species will frequent areas with low vegetation with bushes, Acacia or other trees such as dense Juniper scrub near cultivated areas occur (Kirwan and Collar 2021). The species occurs mainly at elevations between 1,000-3,000 m, but is routinely recorded below 1,000 m and down to sea level in the east of its range. Cliff habitats can be particularly important for breeding. The species will also occur in towns and villages. The species feeds mostly on fruit and insects (Kirwan and Collar 2021).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
There are no known conservation actions towards this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor population trends. Monitor potential threats and their impacts.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Fernando, E.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. & Harding, M.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/arabian-wheatear-oenanthe-lugentoides 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.