Data Zone
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 reported to be widespread and locally common (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Safford and Hawkins 2013).
Trend justification
The species is suspected to have undergone declines owing to habitat loss and degradation and hunting pressure (Safford and Hawkins 2013). Over three generations (14.43 years), tree cover loss within the range is currently estimated at rates of between 30 and 40% (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). However, large parts of the range are secure in several protected areas, and the species can persist in degraded forest (Safford and Hawkins 2013), so tree cover loss alone is unlikely to be driving an equivalent population decline. Although local hunting pressure can be high (Kirwan et al. 2020), the species remains common or even abundant in many areas. Therefore, the suspected likely rate of reduction is 10-19%.
This species is endemic to Madagascar, with C. c. cristata occupying the North and East, and C. c. dumonti occuring in western Madagascar.
This species occupies primary and secondary forest, particularly dry, spiny forests, as well as savanna, brushland, palms, and mangroves (Kirwan et al. 2020). Although it can persist in degraded habitat, the species does show a preference for low or medium degradation (Gardner 2012) and is considered commoner in undisturbed as opposed to disturbed areas (Safford and Hawkins 2013). It occurs most commonly between sea level and 800 m, although can be as high as 1,150 m in the North (Kirwan et al. 2020).
The main threats for this species are habitat loss and degradation and hunting pressure (Safford and Hawkins 2013). Tree cover loss within the range is currently estimated at rates of 30-40% (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), and local hunting pressure can be considerable (Kirwan et al. 2020). C. c. cristata is thought to have declined in north-eastern Madagascar due to forest fragmentation, but in other areas the species can persist in degraded habitats (Safford and Hawkins 2013).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in a number of protected areas where it is likely to be secure.
Conservation Actions Proposed
As forest cover loss seems to be increasing, studying the species's tolerance to habitat alteration in different areas of its range would contribute to understanding population declines.
Text account compilers
Rotton, H.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Hawkins, F., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Crested Coua Coua cristata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/crested-coua-coua-cristata on 27/11/2024.
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 27/11/2024.