Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to 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). The population size may be small, 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). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
Population surveys were carried out in 2014, but are as yet unpublished (S. Valle in litt. 2019). Unless new information becomes available, the population size is provisionally placed in the band 4,300-8,200 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population trend for this species is not known. The species is unlikely to be undergoing significant declines despite ongoing conversion of primary forest into agricultural land, as presence rates of the species are higher in modified habitat than primary forest (F. Sinclair in litt. 2019).
Zosterops leucophaeus is endemic to Príncipe, São Tomé e Príncipe, where it is locally frequent to common.
It occupies all forested habitats, including plantations, up to 800 m. It occurs at relatively high densities in primary and secondary forest and agricultural habitats (Dallimer et al. 2012), but it is most abundant in forest regrowth, trees and bushes in farmland and shaded cocoa and coffee plantations under the shade of large Eurythrina trees (Fry et al. 2000). In primary forest, it occurs mainly in the middle strata. Its diet consists of insects, spiders, berries, seeds and other plant matter. The nest is an openly woven cup slung between two twigs, made of grasses, twigs, moss and petioles. One nest was observed to contain two eggs (Fry et al. 2000).
The population decline between the 1970s and 1990s was possibly a result of pesticide use in plantations (Atkinson et al. 1991). Land privatisation is presently causing an increase in the number of small farms on the island, and a consequent reduction in tree cover. This may have an impact on the population in the near future, particularly as secondary forest habitats are encroached. The proposed establishment of an economic free-trade zone would have been a serious threat, but these plans appear unlikely to go ahead (A. Gascoigne in litt. 2000).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation action is known for this species.
12 cm. Small, very pale grey, warbler-like bird. Grey upperparts with exceptionally pale grey head, almost appearing white at times. Pale grey underparts. Darker grey wings and tail. In some lights a tinge of blue can be seen in the grey plumage. Voice Long trilling trrrrrrrruuuuu or rapid tric tric tric.
Text account compilers
Taylor, J., Westrip, J., Peet, N., Shutes, S., O'Brien, A., Khwaja, N., Starkey, M.
Contributors
Atkinson, P., Faustino de Lima, R., Gascoigne, A., Sinclair, F. & Valle, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Principe Speirops Zosterops leucophaeus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/principe-speirops-zosterops-leucophaeus 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.