Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range, found only on the eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon, where it faces increasing threats from human-induced burning of its habitat, agricultural encroachment, and hunting pressure. Therefore, it is assessed as Endangered.
Population justification
Although the species was described as 'common' during fieldwork in 1984, recent sightings have been irregular and are usually of single pairs (J. Acworth in litt. 1999) and the species is judged to have been scarce since 1996 at least (F. Njie in litt. 2006). More recent surveys have failed to record a single individual (Bayly and Motombe 2004, Djomo et al. 2014, Sedláček et al. 2015), including the absence of the species in previously favoured areas on the eastern side of the mountain (Mayaka et al. 2021). The population has not been quantified but is suspected to be 1,000-3,000 individuals, which equates to 725-1,450 mature individuals, rounded here to 700-1,500 mature individuals.
Trend justification
During survey work in 1984, it was found to be common. However, recent sightings have been irregular and are usually of single pairs (J. Acworth in litt. 1999) and the species is judged to have been scarce since 1996 at least (F. Njie in litt. 2006). More recent surveys have failed to record a single individual (Bayly and Motombe 2004, Djomo et al. 2014, Sedláček et al. 2015), including the absence of the species in previously favoured areas on the eastern side of the mountain (Mayaka et al. 2021). These observations, coupled with continuing pressures from habitat degradation and hunting, infers the species is declining, but the rate is currently unquantified. Deforestation rates within the range have been low over the past three generations (15.66 years), amounting to <10% (Global Forest Watch 2021). Population declines are therefore suspected to not exceed 10% over three generations.
This species is found on Mt Cameroon, Cameroon, where it is restricted to the south-east and north-east slopes. During survey work in 1984, it was found to be common, especially on the southern slopes of the mountain. Recent sightings have been irregular and are usually of single pairs (J. Acworth in litt. 1999). It is judged to have been scarce since 1996 at least, and it has been noted that some records could relate to the Scaly Francolin P. squamatus (F. Njie in litt. 2007). More recent surveys have failed to record a single individual (Bayly and Motombe 2004, Djomo et al. 2014, Sedláček et al. 2015), including the absence of the species in previously favoured areas on the eastern side of the mountain (Mayaka et al. 2021).
The species is confined to montane forest on the south-eastern to north-eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon, at elevations of 850-2,100 m asl (Mayaka et al. 2021). The mountain is an active volcano with difficult terrain and the species appears able to tolerate secondary forest and has been observed in savanna-scrub habitat following forest burning (J. Acworth in litt. 1999). It feeds on berries, grass seeds and insects and breeds during the dry season, with birds laying between October and December. Specifically, the species is known to feed on Prunus africana, and its numbers have been observed to fluctuate with Prunus abundance (Mayaka et al. 2021).
The two main threats to this species are habitat loss and hunting. Forest clearance for agriculture is driven by the high fertility of volcanic soils (Kah 2006, Laird et al. 2011), and most of the lowland forest is already converted to industrial plantations (Forboseh et al. 2011). While fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon on Mount Cameroon, and lava-flows occur every 20 years, the regular burning of grassland by farmers and hunters further causes the destruction of eggs and young birds (F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 1999, Forboseh et al. 2011, Awa II et al. 2015). Particularly before the creation of the Mount Cameroon National Park in 2009, the forest was being severely degraded by fires and agricultural encroachment (Awa II et al. 2015, Mayaka et al. 2021). The deforestation rate is also higher on the eastern side of the mountain, and recent surveys failed to find the species in this area which was previously thought to be its favoured distribution (Kah 2006, Mayaka et al. 2021).
The species experiences hunting pressure for both its meat and eggs (F. Njie in litt. 2007, Mayaka et al. 2021). Most hunters are farmers, who resort to hunting during periods where it can be more lucrative than farming (Awa II et al. 2015). Similarly, another threat is the setting of indiscriminate traps and snares, with over a hundred counted during a survey period (Awa II et al. 2015). A further threat to this species stems from the unsustainable bark harvesting and felling of Prunus africana within the National Park, which this species feeds on, causing both habitat degradation and food depletion (Mayaka et al. 2021).
Conservation Actions Underway
There is an internationally-funded conservation and development project on Mt Cameroon, though efforts to date have mainly concentrated on lowland areas threatened with clearance for plantation agriculture (J. Acworth in litt. 1999). With the technical and financial support of international partner organisations, the Mount Cameroon National Park was created by the Government of Cameroon in December 2009, covering approximately 58,178 hectares (WWF 2010). The species is also protected under Cameroon's legislation (Republic of Cameroon 1994).
33 cm. Terrestrial gamebird with red bill and legs. Male greyish below with warm brown upperparts and diagnostic red bill, eye-surround, legs and feet. Female has similar coloured soft parts but plumage mottled brown below with heavily barred upperparts. Immature resembles female but is barred, not streaked, below. Similar spp. Scaly Francolin F. squamatus has darker underparts and lacks bare red skin around the eyes. Voice Highly distinctive, described as high-pitched, triple whistle. Hints On Mt Cameroon, on the south-east slopes above Buea and Musake, can be seen on tracks at first light, especially after a night of heavy rain.
Text account compilers
Rotton, H.
Contributors
Acworth, J., Davies, G., Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Ekstrom, J., Fotso, R., Keane, A., Njie, F., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Whytock, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mount Cameroon Spurfowl Pternistis camerunensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mount-cameroon-spurfowl-pternistis-camerunensis 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.