Data Zone
Taxonomic note
Sylvia nigricapillus (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) was previously listed as Lioptilus nigricapillus.
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.
| Critically Endangered | Endangered | Vulnerable |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | C2a(i) |
| Year | Category | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Vulnerable | C2a(i) |
| 2016 | Near Threatened | C1+2a(i) |
| 2012 | Near Threatened | C1+2a(i) |
| 2008 | Near Threatened | C1; C2a(i) |
| 2004 | Near Threatened | |
| 2000 | Lower Risk/Near Threatened | |
| 1994 | Lower Risk/Near Threatened | |
| 1988 | Lower Risk/Least Concern |
| Migratory status | altitudinal migrant | Forest dependency | medium |
| Land-mass type |
continent |
Average mass | - |
| Estimate | Data quality | |
|---|---|---|
| Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) | 337,000 km2 | medium |
| Severely fragmented? | no | - |
| Estimate | Data quality | Derivation | Year of estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population size | 1000-3300 mature individuals | medium | estimated | 2000 |
| Population trend | decreasing | - | inferred | - |
| Generation length | 4.8 years | - | - | - |
| Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation | 1-89% | - | - | - |
Population justification: The South African population has been estimated at 1,500-5,000 individuals and Swaziland is thought to hold a resident breeding population of 40 individuals. The range of 1,500-5,000 individuals roughly equates to 1,000-3,300 mature individuals; and it is unlikely that any sub-population contains >1,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification:
In the 2015 Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Taylor et al. 2015) it is stated that it has experienced a decline in AOO and potentially population of 30% over the past 15 years based on Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP) data. Other recent literature using SABAP data give range declines of 11% (Cooper 2015) or 6% (Lee et al. 2017), with even a possible core range increase of 11% (Lee et al. 2017). Given this uncertainty the population is inferred to be in decline, but the rate of decline is unknown. These declines are suspected to be a result of ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation.
| Country/Territory | Presence | Origin | Resident | Breeding visitor | Non-breeding visitor | Passage migrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | extant | native | yes | |||
| South Africa | extant | native | yes |
| Country/Territory | IBA Name |
|---|---|
| Eswatini | Malolotja Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Amatola - Katberg Mountain |
| South Africa | Blyde River Canyon |
| South Africa | Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Entumeni Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Golden Gate Highlands National Park |
| South Africa | Grasslands |
| South Africa | Greater Ingwangwana River |
| South Africa | Impendle Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Kaapsehoop |
| South Africa | Karkloof |
| South Africa | KwaZulu-Natal Mistbelt Forests |
| South Africa | Maloti Drakensberg Park |
| South Africa | Songimvelo Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve |
| South Africa | Wolkberg Forest Belt |
| Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Arable Land | major | resident |
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Rural Gardens | major | non-breeding |
| Forest | Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane | major | resident |
| Forest | Temperate | major | resident |
| Shrubland | Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Altitude | 750 - 1825 m | Occasional altitudinal limits |
| Threat (level 1) | Threat (level 2) | Impact and Stresses | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
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| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Future | Whole (>90%) | Rapid Declines | Medium Impact: 7 | ||||||
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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bush Blackcap Sylvia nigricapillus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bush-blackcap-sylvia-nigricapillus 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.