VU
Socotra Buzzard Buteo socotraensis



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.
Porter, R. F.; Kirwan, G. M. 2010. Studies of Socotran birds VI. The taxonomic status of the Socotra Buzzard. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 130(2): 116-131.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2022 Vulnerable D1
2016 Vulnerable D1
2013 Vulnerable D1
2012 Vulnerable D1
2011 Vulnerable D1
2010 Not Recognised
2008 Not Recognised
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type unknown island type
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 4,300 km2 good
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 4,100 km2
Number of locations 11-100 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 250-500 mature individuals medium estimated 2008
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2016-2035
Generation length 6.5 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Surveys carried out between 1999 and 2008 suggest that the population numbers fewer than 250 pairs (Porter and Suleiman 2014), thus there are probably fewer than 500 mature individuals. It is placed in the band 380-750 individuals in total, with a mature population likely numbering between 250-500.

Trend justification: The species faces a number of threats including capture for the falconry trade (Porter and Kirwan 2010), which is resurging following the limited implementation of wildlife laws due to the civil war and related conflict (A. Saeed Suleiman and K. Van Damme in litt. 2020), road construction, wood collection, overgrazing, and impacts from climate change on habitat (A. Saeed Suleiman and K. Van Damme in litt. 2016). As such, the population is suspected of declining, although the exact rate has not been determined. 


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Yemen extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Yemen Diksam (Socotra)
Yemen Falang - Momi coast and cliffs (Socotra)
Yemen Firmihin near Jabal Keseslah (Socotra)
Yemen Haggeher (Socotra)
Yemen Hamaderoh plateau and scarp (Socotra)
Yemen Jabal Ma'alah / Ma'alah Plateau (Socotra)
Yemen Limestone plateau above Siko village (Socotra)
Yemen Noged Plain (Socotra)
Yemen North slopes of the Haggeher Mountains (Socotra)
Yemen Wadi Ayhaft (Socotra)
Yemen Wadi Di Negehen (Socotra)
Yemen Wadi Merkoh (Socotra)

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) major resident
Savanna Dry major resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude major resident
Altitude 150 - 800 m Occasional altitudinal limits 0 - 1370 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Storms & flooding Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Problematic native species/diseases Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species disturbance, Competition, Reduced reproductive success
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Herbicides and pesticides Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture subsistence

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Socotra Buzzard Buteo socotraensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/socotra-buzzard-buteo-socotraensis 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.