Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 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 (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 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 in prime habitat the species is abundant, reaching densities of 15 birds per km2, and the Namibian population is estimated at 108,000 birds (Harrison et al. 1997b, Robertson et al. 1995). In parts of its range the species is described as rare (Keith et al. 1992). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
This species occurs from extreme south-west Angola south to west-central Namibia (Harrison et al. 1997b). A population of 2,000 birds occurs in Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia, and there is also a population in Iona National Park, Angola (Harrison et al. 1997).
This species inhabits rocky hills, mountains and inselbergs where it is associated mainly with Commiphora-Acacia scrub and occurs from 700-1,100 m, principally on south-facing hillsides (Harrison et al. 1997b).
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Herero Chat Namibornis herero. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/herero-chat-namibornis-herero 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.