VU
Barbuda Warbler Setophaga subita



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2020 Vulnerable D1
2016 Near Threatened D1+2
2012 Near Threatened D1+2
2008 Near Threatened D1; D2
2004 Near Threatened
2002 Near Threatened
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 220 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 600-1700 mature individuals poor estimated 2000
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2014-2024
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Generation length 2.3 years - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: The global population is estimated at 1,000-2,500 individuals, roughly equivalent to 600-1,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population trend is difficult to quantify. On one hand, large parts of the natural vegetation of Barbuda have been degrading through cattle and goat grazing for over a century; yet the species seems to be well adapted to this disturbance and it is not thought that it may cause a severe population decline (Diamond 2020). Furthermore, it appears that hurricane Irma, which hit Barbuda in 2017, did not have a severe impact on the population size either (Gerbracht 2017). On the other hand, anecdotal evidence suggests that levels of habitat degradation have increased considerably, so that the species is now starting to decline (J. Daltry per D. Diaz in litt. 2019). Therefore tentatively, it is suspected that the species is undergoing a slow decline. Given the resilience of Barbuda Warbler to habitat loss and degradation, it is here tentatively assumed that the rate of decline does not exceed 10% over ten years.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Antigua and Barbuda extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Antigua and Barbuda Codrington Lagoon and the Creek

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Pastureland suitable resident
Artificial/Terrestrial Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry major resident
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Climate change & severe weather Storms & flooding Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) No decline Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Bos taurus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Capra hircus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Pollution Garbage & solid waste Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Barbuda Warbler Setophaga subita. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/barbuda-warbler-setophaga-subita 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.