Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population size which is suspected to be have undergone a rapid decline in the past and in the near future, due to the loss, degradation and fragmentation of its habitat, from agricultural and pasture encroachment, logging activities and criminal fire setting, as well as being ubiquitously hunted and trapped over most of its range. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
Although the population was estimated in 1995 at 10,000 individuals (Byers 1995), the species’ population size has not been quantified since then. However, due to the age of this estimate, the declines in suitable habitat and suspected declines in population size in line with habitat decline since then, the species’ population size is now suspected to be less than 10,000 individuals (J. Westrip in litt. 2024, L-A. Réné de Roland in litt. 2024, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2024), and is therefore placed in the band of 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is highly dependent on intact primary forest and absent from agricultural land near forest, and forest near villages, the latter likely also due to disturbance and hunting, as well as habitat loss (Rocha et al. 2015, Benjara et al. 2020, J. Westrip in litt. 2024), and it has been seen to be lost from forests subject to high disturbance, degradation and/or fragmentation (Milantosoanandrasana 2015, L-A. Réné de Roland in litt. 2024, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2024).
Tree cover loss (canopy density >30%) within the species’ range has been estimated at between 30-31% over the past three generations, projected to reach 39-40% between 2016 and 2032 (starting from 2016, when forest loss peaked) and, based on the average annual loss of tree cover in the species’ range over the past five years (2018-2023), projected to reach 33% and 34% over the next three generations (Global Forest Watch 2024, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Due to its dependence on and rapid loss of native forest habitat, it is inferred that its population size is declining in parallel with tree cover loss. This decline is likely exacerbated by high hunting pressure (Collar 2013, Borgerson et al. 2023) which occurs even in protected areas, as seen in camera trap footage analysis from Masoala and Makira National Parks, revealing a decline in the species’ occupancy probability in these parks between 2008 and 2013 (Murphy et al. 2017). Accounting for a level of uncertainty, the species suspected rate of decline is therefore placed in the wider bands of 25-35% over the past three generations, 35-45% between 2016 and 2032, and 30-40% over the next three generations.
This species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widespread and locally common, occurring in all types of native forest from sea-level to 2,000 m, including 44 Important Bird Areas (52% of the national total) (Dee 1986, Langrand 1990, ZICOMA 1999, Raherilalao & Wilmé 2008). These include the Protected Areas of Analalava Forest, Oronjia and Beampingaratsy (Missouri Botanical Garden 2014, 2015, Rakotomalala et al. 2021), the Mahimborondro Protected Area where it is only found in primary montane forest (Mittermeier et al. 2021), Benamevika Protected Area, where its occurrence is reduced close to the forest edges (Benjara et al. 2021), and it is decreasingly found in Masoala and Makira National Parks (Murphy et al. 2017).
It may be somewhat tolerant to degraded and secondary habitats, such as vanilla plantations, but still requires specific conditions, preferring more dense, shaded and damp habitats, and tends to be absent from forest edges (Collar 2013, Matheu et al. 2020, Benjara et al. 2021).
Although seemingly relatively adaptable in the east of the island, having been recorded in secondary woodland habitats such as relict trees in and around vanilla and oil-palm plantations (Langrand 1990), the species only occurs in such area where these are close to areas of primary habitat (Morris and Hawkins 1998). It inhabits all types of intact native woodland, including humid forest in the north and east, and dry forest in the south and west (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Raherilalao & Wilmé 2008), and has been shown to be particularly dependent on primary forest habitat and sensitive to forest edge and habitat disturbance, and therefore also fragmentation (Rocha et al. 2015, Benjara et al. 2020). It is occasionally seen in mangroves (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It usually feeds in pairs on the forest floor, eating invertebrates and small vertebrates including frogs and reptiles (Morris and Hawkins 1998), and it nests in large trees within the forest. Studies of camera trap footage in north-eastern Madagascar showed a positive correlation between occurrences of Spotted Fanolaka Fossa fossana and presence of Madagascar Crested Ibis (Murphy et al. 2017), suggesting a preference for similar habitat types.
Breeding occurs at the start of the rainy season (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The nest is a large platform made of branches, usually in major forks of trees, 7-15 m above the forest floor. It may lay two eggs, but usually three. The species is presumed to be sedentary, although there are uncorroborated past claims that eastern populations are migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1992).
The species is threatened by habitat loss, with tree cover within its range reducing at a rapid rate (Global Forest Watch 2024). This is mainly due to logging, and encroachment on forest by local farmers using slash-and-burn practices to create more areas for subsistence agriculture and cattle grazing. Fire can be a particularly high threat for the species' habitat, and these are also ignited as a diversion by cattle thieves, create additional loss of forest habitat (Milantosoanandrasana 2015). The loss, fragmentation and degradation of forest has resulted in the reduction or complete disappearance of the species from parts of its range, such as Mahavavy Kinkony and Mangoky Ihotry Wetland Complex Protected Areas, or Ambohitantely Forest Protected Area (Milantosoanandrasana 2015, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2024). Declines have been particularly observed within dry forests (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2024).
The species is also universally known and highly consumed by local hunters and others who live in forested areas, including protected areas (Merson et al. 2019, Rakotomalala et al. 2021, Borgerson et al. 2023, L-A. Réné de Roland in litt. 2024, J. Westrip in litt. 2024). It is a favoured quarry species wherever it occurs (Dee 1986), and is likely over-hunted. Birds are shot with slings (Rakotomalala et al. 2021), caught by traps and snares, and eggs, nestlings and even adults are taken off the nest (Goodman et al. 1997b).
In addition, studies of camera trap footage in north-eastern Madagascar showed a negative correlation between occurrences of feral Cat Felis catus and presence of Madagascar Crested Ibis (Murphy et al. 2017).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is protected from hunting within protected areas (L-A. Réné de Roland in litt. 2024), although it is still hunted and trapped within these areas (Rakotomalala et al. 2021).
A large red-and-white forest ibis. Body mostly reddish, with iridescent green feathers on head and crest, which has a yellowish or whitish tip. Bare skin around eye and legs red. Wings white, bill pale yellow. Similar spp. Difficult to mistake for anything else. Voice Calls loudly at night, a creaking ank-ank-ank-ank-ank. Hints Rather secretive forest ibis, often feeding in damp valley-bottoms or along forest trails, from where it is often flushed before flying noisily away through the canopy. Builds large nest in canopy.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Contributors
Rabarisoa, R., Réné De Roland, L.A. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Madagascar Crested Ibis Lophotibis cristata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/madagascar-crested-ibis-lophotibis-cristata on 21/12/2024.
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 21/12/2024.