EN
Sao Tome Olive-pigeon Columba thomensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v)
2018 Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)
2016 Endangered B1ab(ii,v); C2a(ii)
2012 Endangered B1ab(ii,v);C2a(ii)
2011 Endangered B1ab(ii,v);C2a(ii)
2008 Vulnerable D1
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 412 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 480 km2
Number of locations 1 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2600-3700 mature individuals poor estimated 2015
Population trend decreasing poor inferred -
Generation length 4.2 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Based on transect surveys and distribution modelling, the population size has been estimated at 3,893 - 5,497 individuals (Cavalho 2015), which equates to approximately 2,600 - 3,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population is inferred to be declining owing to hunting pressure. The species is large and tame and a prime target for hunters, and has disappeared or become scarce in easily accessible areas (Carvalho, 2015). 


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
São Tomé e Príncipe extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
São Tomé e Príncipe Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé e Zona Tampão
São Tomé e Príncipe São Tomé lowland forests
São Tomé e Príncipe São Tomé montane and cloud-forests

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 0 - 2024 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Unlikely to Return Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Past Impact
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation
Residential & commercial development Commercial & industrial areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sao Tome Olive-pigeon Columba thomensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sao-tome-olive-pigeon-columba-thomensis 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.