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

Justification of Red List category
This species has not been recorded with certainty since 1961, and there are few records from the 20^th century despite being apparently more abundant before then. It may have been driven extinct by introduced mongooses, perhaps compounded by habitat loss. However, it possibly remains extant because some suitable habitat remains, searches have not been adequately extensive, and there have been a number of possible or tentative sightings. A tiny population is assumed to remain and therefore it is treated as Critically Endangered.

Population justification
Any remaining population is assumed to be tiny (numbering fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals), with the last confirmed record in 1961.

Trend justification
The paucity of recent, confirmed sightings means it is not possible to clearly estimate a population trend.

Leucopeza semperi is endemic to St Lucia, where it is extremely rare and there have been no confirmed records for many years. It eluded almost all 20^th century efforts to find a population. There are a mere handful of reports since the 1920s and no certain records since 1961. Sightings in 1965, 1989, 1995 and 2003 have not been confirmed (Keith 1997, H. Temple in litt. 2003), and survey work between 2006 and 2009 failed to locate the species (Toussaint et al. 2009). Recently, however, there have been possible sightings at Louvet in 2014 and Marquis in 2015 in lower elevation forest (A. Toussaint pers. comm.). It was apparently more abundant in the 19^th century, and has clearly undergone a significant decline (Keith 1997). It possibly remains extant because some suitable habitat remains and searches have not been adequately extensive.

It is known from the undergrowth of montane and elfin forest. The ecology is virtually unknown, but it is apparently largely terrestrial and possibly even nests on the ground.

The introduction of mongooses Herpestes javanicus in 1884 portended the disappearance of this species, as they probably preyed on adults (Keith 1997), nestlings and eggs (Curson et al. 1994). The decline may have been compounded by habitat loss, but suitable forest still remains on the island. Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change (BirdLife International unpublished data).

Conservation Actions Underway
In 2016, Forestry Department staff were trained and five days of searches were carried out in areas deemed likely habitat (M. Morton in litt. 2016). Search areas have been prioritized, but this work is not yet resourced.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to locate any remaining population.

14.5 cm. Large, dull, long-legged warbler. Adult dark grey above and whitish below. Immature brownish-grey above with buffy underparts. Long, pale legs. Voice Song unknown. Call a scolding tuck-tick-tick-tuck. Hints Listen for calls from dense undergrowth.

Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Everest, J.

Contributors
Bird, J., Butchart, S., Calvert, R., Dornelly, A., Haynes, P., Isidore, L., John, L., Morton, M., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Temple, H. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Semper's Warbler Leucopeza semperi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sempers-warbler-leucopeza-semperi on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.