• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is confined to a single island where it has a small but stable population. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
Using a combination of playback surveys and radio telemetry covering an area of 16.7 km², Jakosalem et al. (2013) estimated that in 2011 the population of N. rumseyi numbered c.200 pairs (400 mature individuals) based on estimated home ranges of one pair every 0.1 km² and an estimated total suitable habitat area of just 19.2 km². Jakosalem et al. (2013) acknowledged however that their estimated territory size value may be an underestimate given their short periods of following birds, and it is unlikely that all suitable habitat is occupied - consequently, the density value of this species may fall (perhaps substantially) below this. Deforestation rates on Cebu have been low: less than 5% over the past three generations (Global Forest Watch [2021], using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and the species' population is thought to have remained unchanged since 2011. It is therefore placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals and may be at the lower end of this estimate.

Trend justification
This species would no doubt formerly have been widespread across Cebu with a substantial contraction of both range and population size occurring in response to pervasive deforestation that has likely caused the extinction of other bird taxa on the island. Even by the earliest ornithological explorations (in 1872), the forest on Cebu had been reduced to patches in only a few isolated areas on the island and by the turn of the 20th century collectors already had difficulty in locating forest (Rabor 1959). However, recent remote sensing data indicate that over the last three generations (15.6 years; Bird et al. 2020) forest loss on the island has been less than 5% (Global Forest Watch [2021], using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Given this species' tolerance of some degradation (occurring occasionally near clearings and farms [Allen 2020]) it cannot be inferred to be declining. In the absence of other threats, the population trend is therefore suspected to be stable.

Ninox rumseyi is endemic to the island of Cebu (Philippines) where it was known from a single specimen taken in 1888 and was not recorded again until its rediscovery in 1998 (Gonzalez et al. 1999, Rasmussen et al. 2012, Jakosalem et al. 2013).

The species appears to occupy forest of various types, with no obvious preference for interior or edge, gully or ridge, patch size or canopy height, although it was only occasionally recorded in areas of pure plantation (Jakosalem et al. 2013). Foraging and roosting locations in Alcoy Forest were similar in structure, and spanned forest interior and edge, sometimes close to clearings and farms. The species may be absent or occur in lower densities in areas of forest with high winds (Jakosalem et al. 2013). It can utilise small forest patches of 1-2 ha surrounded by farmland and/or exotic plantations (but close to larger forest blocks), and may be most restricted by nest-site availability (natural cavities in older, larger trees, which may not be available in plantations or younger secondary forests; Jakosalem et al. 2013).

As early as the 1890s, the small amount of forest remaining on Cebu was being rapidly cleared and a century later, Cebu retained barely 0.03% of its original vegetation cover. Recent remote sensing data indicate that forest cover loss has slowed greatly in recent years such that it can be suspected to be causing only negligible declines (Global Forest Watch [2021], using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein).

Conservation and research actions underway
CITES Appendix II. Occurs in Alcoy, Argao, Dalaguete,Tabunan and Boljoon protected forests, of which only the latter receives no support from local government units and communities (Jakosalem et al. 2013).

Conservation and research actions proposed
Investigate densities in different habitats. Carry out experiments in different habitats with nest-boxes and prey-sampling equipment to elucidate key habitat components for the species, but these should proceed with caution so as not to potentially affect populations of some other highly threatened taxa (most notably the Cebu Flowerpecker Dicaeum quadricolor) (Jakosalem et al. 2013). Continue to monitor the population size.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Jakosalem, P.G. & Hutchinson, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cebu Boobook Ninox rumseyi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cebu-boobook-ninox-rumseyi on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.