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

Justification of Red List category
This species has been classified as Endangered, as it has a small range that is undergoing continued habitat loss and degradation.

Population justification
Given its very restricted range (Extent of Occurrence = 1,206 km²), the population is not thought to exceed 2,500 mature individuals. The suspected population size is thus placed in the band 1,000-2,500 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This population is inferred to be in decline owing to habitat destruction (del Hoyo et al. 2005; Ibouroi et al. 2019). The likely rate of decline however, has not been estimated.

This species is found on the islands of Grand Comore and Mohéli, Comoros. It is common around Mt. Karthala, on Grand Comore, but the density on Mohéli is far lower than that of the Grand Comore population (Safford 2013).

It inhabits evergreen forests, preferring old forest with larger trees (Louette et al. 2008, Safford 2013).

The species is threatened by habitat loss, particularly on Mohéli (Safford 2013). The main threats to native forest on Mt Karthala are clearance for agriculture, invasion of exotic plant species and commercial logging on the southwest slopes. If plans to build a road to Mt Karthala's crater are resurrected, exploitation and fragmentation of the forest, and the spread of exotic species, could be accelerated (Safford 2001).

Conservation and research actions underway
Agreements are currently being signed between Comoros National Parks (Parcs Nationaux des Comores) and the Ministry of Forestry-Comoros to create a national system of protected areas. The Karthala forest is included in this network, with the protected status of a national park (Ibouroi et al. 2019).

Conservation and research actions needed
Conduct more field surveys to establish the current population, range and status of the species (Safford 2001). Develop a land-use strategy for the island (Safford 2001). Consider reforestation of grasslands on the central ridge (Safford 2001). Develop an environmental education programme on the island (Louette and Stevens 1992). Encourage locally-organised ecotourism as an alternative source of income for inhabitants of the Mt Karthala area (Safford 2001).

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Gregory, P., Safford, R. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Comoro Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris cucullatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/comoro-cuckooshrike-ceblepyris-cucullatus 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.