• Summary
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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 size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to 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). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). 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 variously scarce to common in different parts of its range (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to on-going habitat loss and degradation (del Hoyo et al. 2005). The likely rate of decline is suspected to fall in the band of 1-15% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2020; Tchoumbou et al. 2020).

This species is endemic to the highlands of western Cameroon and the Obudu plateau and Mt Gangirwal in eastern Nigeria. In Nigeria, it is reportedly still relatively common (P. Hall in litt. 1999). In Cameroon, it is reportedly not uncommon on Mt Oku (F. Maisels in litt. 1998), scarce on Mt Cameroon (Stuart 1986), locally common in the Rumpi Hills, common in the Bakossi Mountains (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998) and very common on Mt Manenguba, and has recently been found on nearby Mt Nlonako (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999).

It inhabits forest edge, clearings, secondary habitat and scrubby thickets with fruits (Stuart 1986; Bowden 1998; Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999). On Mt Manenguba, it is especially common in scrubby Maesa forest and on Mt Nlonako in thickets of fruiting Harungana on rocks (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999). It occurs mainly at 1,000-2,500 m, but is recorded from 500 m on the slopes of Mt Cameroon in the non-breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 2005). It feeds on fruit, seeds and insects, foraging generally low in dense shrub layers, but occasionally up to 10 m. In Cameroon, nesting has been recorded in March and May, with birds in breeding condition noted in January-February and November, and juveniles recorded in February-April. The species is probably largely resident, although there is evidence of some seasonal movements to lower altitudes during the non-breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

Although this species is found in secondary habitats and is apparently still common where it occurs, forest within its small range is threatened by exploitation for timber and firewood and agricultural encroachment (Stattersfield et al. 1998). The montane and semi-montane forests of western Cameroon are under increasing pressure from clearance for gardens (e.g. on Mt Kupe), and in more recent years for establishing vast oil-palm plantations, leading to the encroachment of the Bakossi block of forest (F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 2013).

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in Gashaka-Gumti Reserve in Nigeria, and in Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rumpi Hills and Bali-Ngemba Forest Reserves in Cameroon (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Increase the area of suitable habitat that is protected. Encourage alternative income sources such as ecotourism.

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Hall, P., Maisels, F., O'Brien, A., Rainey, H., Robertson, P., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cameroon Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla montana. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cameroon-mountain-greenbul-arizelocichla-montana 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.