Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to 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 size is very 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). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally still common (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of any evidence that habitat destruction is impacting its range.
Bradypterus bangwaensis is known from the Obudu Plateau, Mambilla Plateau and Gotel Mountains, Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1994), and from Mt Oku, Banso Mountains, Bamenda Highlands, Bamboutos Mountains, Bamileke Plateau, Mt Manenguba, the western part of the Adamawa highlands and Poli, Cameroon (Stuart 1986, Urban et al 1997). It is found between 2,000 and 2,900 m on Mt Oku, but must have declined there given the loss below 2,200 m of any kind of bush habitat (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998). Elsewhere, it is still common, or very common, for example, throughout scrubby Maesa forest in the crater of Mt Manenguba and its rims and in forest edge and bracken on the southern slopes (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999), and on the Mambilla Plateau between 1,700-2,300 m (Ash et al. 1989). However, its range is relatively small and fragmented (Stuart 1986).
While the most important habitat for the Bangwa Warbler appears to be dense vegetation 3-5m above ground level (Budka et al., 2020), it is considered a habitat generalist, and will inhabit montane forest, forest edges, secondary growth and thickets under open-canopy forest (F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 1999). It generally occurs at 1,600-2,300 m in Nigeria and 1,900-2,950 m in Cameroon (del Hoyo et al. 2006), although it was also found by Budka et al., (2020) in Cameroon at an altitude of 1,755m. It is presumed to feed on small invertebrates, which it forages for near the ground in thick cover. It nests in October-November, occasionally in March-April in Cameroon (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
This species is potentially threatened by habitat clearance (Stuart 1986). Factors that are thought likely to drive this within the species's range are small-holder cultivation and livestock farming, and small- and large-scale logging for timber.
Conservation Actions Underway
No specific conservation action is known for this species.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Hermes, C., Lee, A., O'Brien, A., Rainey, H., Robertson, P., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bangwa Warbler Bradypterus bangwaensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bangwa-warbler-bradypterus-bangwaensis on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.