• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population, therefore it is classified as Vulnerable. If its habitat becomes threatened and a population decline is recorded, the species may be eligible for uplisting to Endangered.

Population justification
The population estimate of 250-999 mature individuals is based on an assessment by Hawkins et al. (1998) that 30-100 pairs occur at the site of rediscovery, and that it occurs at low density at additional sites to the south. This estimate equates to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals, although with continued re-assessment and a potentially wider range than conservatively estimated, its population size may prove to be larger (R. Safford in litt. 2016).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable, as much of the species's habitat remains intact.

Calicalicus rufocarpalis was described from two specimens collected in 1947 near Toliara, south-west Madagascar (Goodman et al. 1997a). It was not seen again until photographed in 1992 and seen in July 1997, when about nine males were located in the same area, on the road between La Table and St Augustin in an area of suitable habitat covering c.30 km², indicating a possible population of 30-100 pairs in the area (Hawkins et al. 1998). Further south, it is now known from Hatokaliotsy, Tsimanampetsotsa and other areas on the Mahafaly plateau, but its density appears to be relatively low (ZICOMA 1999). Most recently its known range has been extended 50 km south, with several records at Linta and suitable habitat further south of this site (Sim and Zefania 2002). There have been no reports of this species north of La Table, but suitable habitat stretches up to 100km further north  (Schulenberg and Hawkins 2013).

The species is found in dense Euphorbia scrub, where it forages in low, dense bushes, 2-3 m high, feeding on small insects, mostly by gleaning from leaves and branches and also by sally-gleaning (Hawkins et al. 1998). Often in family groups, it may be difficult to find if not calling.

The species's known habitat is being patchily degraded by shrub clearance for charcoal and grazing by goats (Hawkins et al. 1998); localised timber extraction is also a problem at some sites (Sim and Zefania 2002). However, much habitat remains intact because the soil is unsuitable for agriculture, and the area is inhabited predominantly by fishermen and goat-herders (Hawkins et al. 1998). This situation could change rapidly, however, if immigrant agriculturalists with different agricultural techniques move to the area (Hawkins et al. 1998); population densities remain high in most of its scrubby habitat (Sim and Zefania 2002).

Conservation Actions Underway
The Mahafaly plateau includes Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Reserve, the only protected area which holds the species (Hawkins et al. 1998). The region around Hatokaliotsy has been identified as a site of special biodiversity interest (Nicoll and Langrand 1989) and warrants protected-area designation (Hawkins et al. 1998).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Establish population-density estimates in different habitats and degrees of forest degradation, especially in Euphorbia scrub around Tsimanampetsotsa and Hatokaliotsy and to the north of the main Toliara-Antananarivo road (Hawkins et al. 1998). Conduct research into the species's ecology, including interactions with sympatric species (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2007). Carry out sample surveys of suitable habitat in its projected range, to confirm its presence/absence, especially south of Linta (Sim and Zefania 2002). Monitor the clearance and degradation of Euphorbia scrub within the species's projected range. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status, including the region around Hatokaliotsy.

14-15 cm. Small, stocky vanga with solid bill and rather short wings. Males are black on bib and lores, white on cheeks, forehead and supercilium, grey on crown and back. Bright brick-red scapulars and wing-coverts, darker grey wings, dark brown tail with rufous inner webs. White underparts with chestnut flecking on sides of breast. Females sandy-brown on back and head, with paler eye-ring and forehead, and pinkish breast. Pale pink legs and feet, conspicuous pale yellow eye and blackish bill. Similar spp. From Red-tailed Vanga C. madagascariensis by yellow iris, shorter wings, longer tail, longer bill. Female from newtonias Newtonia by red shoulders and tail, thicker bill, pale eye-ring. Voice Song is loud tyu-tee, second note louder and more whistled.

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Ekstrom, J., Evans, M., Shutes, S., Starkey, M., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Westrip, J.

Contributors
Safford, R., Sim, I., Rabenandrasana, M., Hawkins, F.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Red-shouldered Vanga Calicalicus rufocarpalis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/red-shouldered-vanga-calicalicus-rufocarpalis on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.