Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely 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). 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). 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). 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 locally common along large rivers throughout its breeding range (del Hoyo et al. 2001).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to over-exploitation for food, rising water levels in lakes Kariba and Cabora Bassa and bank collapse caused by speedboat generated waves and constant water level changes as a result of hydro-electric dams (del Hoyo et al. 2001).
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/northern-carmine-bee-eater-merops-nubicus on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.