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

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 evidently rather rare (del Hoyo et al. 2007).

Trend justification
The population is inferred to be in decline owing to on-going habitat clearance, mainly for shifting agriculture (del Hoyo et al. 2007).
Between 2000 and 2019, this species's range experienced a 8.6% loss in forest cover (Global Forest Watch 2020). This equates to a loss of 5% over three generations. Assuming the population declines at a similar rate, the rate of decline is placed in the band 1-10%. Between 2016 and 2019, this species's range experienced forest cover loss of 3.4% (Global Forest Watch 2020). Projected forward over three generations this equates to a loss of 9%. Assuming that the population declines at a similar rate to forest loss, the future rate of decline is suspected to fall in the band of 10-15%.

Kupeornis chapini is endemic to the Albertine Rift mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is known from the Lendu Plateau, mountains west of Lake Edward, mountains west of Lake Kivu, and the Itombwe Mts. It is considered "rather rare" and is inferred to be in decline owing to habitat loss (del Hoyo et al. 2007).

It is a species of transitional forest at 1,000-1,650 m, where it occupies the upper stratum (Lippens and Wille 1976; Stattersfield et al. 1998). Its diet is unknown, but it has been observed foraging in the middle and upper storeys of forest, associating with other species, particularly bulbuls. Breeding takes place in May and June (del Hoyo et al. 2007).

This species's habitat is under threat as a result of clearance for shifting agriculture (Stattersfield et al. 1998; del Hoyo et al. 2007).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation action is known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Protect suitable habitat for the species.

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Chapin's Mountain-babbler Kupeornis chapini. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/chapins-mountain-babbler-kupeornis-chapini 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.