EN
Gabela Helmetshrike Prionops gabela



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Dowsett, R. J.; Forbes-Watson, A. D. 1993. Checklist of birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. Tauraco Press, Li
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- B1ab(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(i) B1ab(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(i); D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2016 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(i)
2012 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v);C2a(i)
2008 Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(i)
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1996 Endangered
1994 Endangered
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 6,400 km2 medium
Number of locations 2-5 -
Severely fragmented? yes -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 600-1700 mature individuals poor estimated 2000
Population trend decreasing poor suspected -
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-19% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-19% - - -
Generation length 7.8 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-100 - - -

Population justification: The population is estimated at 1,856-2,784 birds (4-6 individuals/km2 x 464 km2 [10% EOO]), so is best placed in band 1,000-2,499 individuals. This equates to 667-1,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 600-1,700 mature individuals. Density range is up to the lower quartile of seven estimates for two congeners, and at lower end of range of 122 estimates of 32 species of shrikes and bushshrikes in the BirdLife Population Density Spreadsheet.

Trend justification: The species is suspected to be in moderate decline owing to the continued clearance and degradation of its forest habitat, mainly for charcoal production (M. Mills in litt. 2007).


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

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Angola Gabela

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Dry major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident
Altitude 300 - 300 m Occasional altitudinal limits (max) 1000 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Negligible declines No/Negligible Impact: 2
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
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
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Gabela Helmetshrike Prionops gabela. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/gabela-helmetshrike-prionops-gabela 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.