LC
Cinderella Waxbill Glaucestrilda thomensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Previously (Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International 2022) placed in Estrilda but moved to current genus following Olsson and Alström (2020). Was earlier referred to by name E. cinderella (described from Benguela, in W Angola), but present name has priority. Type specimen said to have come from São Tomé, but documentation uncertain; species not recorded there since, and presence at that time, if true, believed probably result of escape from captivity. Monotypic.

Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2023. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 8. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v8_Dec23.zip.

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

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Least Concern
2016 Least Concern
2014 Least Concern
2012 Near Threatened B1ab(i,ii,iii)
2008 Near Threatened B1a+b(i,ii,iii)
2006 Near Threatened
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Near Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type continent
Average mass 8 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 196,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 1998-2008
Generation length 1.68 years - - -

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally common (Clement et al. 1999). The species's population is assumed to be in decline, owing to the declining extent and quality of its habitat.

Trend justification: The species's population is assumed to be in decline, owing to the declining extent and quality of its habitat.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Angola extant native yes
Namibia extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Angola Chongoroi
Angola Iona National Park
Angola Tundavala
Namibia Epupa - Ruacana

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Savanna Dry major resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry major resident
Altitude 200 - 500 m 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 Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Abstraction of surface water (domestic use) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Large dams Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cinderella Waxbill Glaucestrilda thomensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cinderella-waxbill-glaucestrilda-thomensis 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.