Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species remains common in parts of its small range and is tolerant of some habitat degradation, it is suspected to be undergoing a moderately rapid decline owing to hunting pressure, and has consequently been classified as Near Threatened. Better information on population trends may lead to a change in status.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be very common on Príncipe (del Hoyo et al. 1997; Fundacao Príncipe 2019), and an estimated 47,846 - 205,079 (best estimate 114,419) individuals are found on São Tomé (Carvalho 2015).
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be undergoing a moderately rapid decline owing to hunting pressure (Carvalho 2015).
Columba malherbii is endemic to the islands of Príncipe, São Tomé (São Tomé e Príncipe), and Annobón (Equatorial Guinea). São Tomé is believed to hold the most important population, and this has been estimated at 47,846 - 205,079 individuals (Carvalho 2015), which roughly equates to 32,000-137,400 mature individuals. It remains widespread and reasonably common across São Tomé (Soares et al. 2020) and Príncipe (Fundacao Príncipe 2019). There is conflicting information on its status in Annobón (Perez del Val 2001; Sloan 2017). Anecdotal evidence suggests it is becoming harder to find near populated areas and may be declining moderately rapidly owing to hunting pressure and capture as a cage bird (Carvalho et al. 2015).
The species makes seasonal within-island movements, becoming very conspicuous in forest, savannah and coastal habitat during the breeding season (November-February). It tolerates, and may even prefer, some degraded habitats (Carvalho et al. 2015). Surveys have show it is more prevalent at lower altitude, especially outside of the breeding season (de Lima et al. 2013; Carvalho et al. 2015; Soares et al. 2020). The diet consists mostly of fruits, which are eaten in the canopy or on the ground (Jones and Tye 2006).
Hunting represents the primary threat to the species, which is considered a favourite quarry and is often sold in bars and at parties (Carvalho et al. 2014). Live adults and juveniles are also taken into captivity during the breeding season for home breeding and sale (M. B. Carvalho in litt. 2011). Many young children hunt the species, and hunting pressure may be increasing (M. B. Carvalho in litt. 2011). The species's tolerance of anthropogenic environments makes it less vulnerable to forest loss and degradation, but may make it more vulnerable to hunting as hunters can find the species without having to go into the forest interior (Carvalho et al. 2015).
Conservation Actions Underway
An important part of this species's range falls within the protected São Tomé Obô Natural Park. Hunting this species is also forbidden in protected areas and between October and February. There are several ongoing projects supporting biodiversity conservation, Protected Area management, and sustainable management of forests in São Tomé and Príncipe, for example the ECOFAC6 initiative 2018-2022 (BirdLife International 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Research ecological requirements, namely concerning breeding and feeding ecology. Monitor hunting pressure, population trends, and ensure the implementation of existing environmental laws.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Carvalho, M.B., Deffontaines, J., Rocha, R., Symes, A., Westrip, J.R.S. & de Lima, R.F.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba malherbii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sao-tome-bronze-naped-pigeon-columba-malherbii 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.