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

Justification of Red List category
Despite this species having a small range, it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is moderately small, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
Surveys of the species conducted between 1999 and 2008 provide an estimate of 8,675 individuals, rounded to c.9,000 individuals in total on Socotra (Porter and Suleiman 2013, R. Porter in litt. 2016). This is equivalent to c.6,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
There is no evidence for recent or current population declines, and the species' population trend has apparently remained stable since detailed surveys were initiated in 1999 (Jennings 2010).

This species is endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Socotra, Yemen. During extensive surveys of the island in 1993, 1999 and 2000, the species was found to be widely but patchily distributed in the lowlands, along the coast and inland. However, it was relatively common where it occurred, with up to 53 birds recorded per locality, and transect-generated population density estimates of c.35-45 individuals per km² (depending on the survey season/year) in occupied areas (Davidson 1996). An additional 1,000 pairs were discovered at higher altitude on the Plateau of Ma'la above Qalancia during February 2004 (O. Al-Sagheir in litt. 2004), putting the total population estimate at around 4,000 pairs (R. Porter verbally 2004). There is no evidence for recent or current population declines (Jennings 2010).

The majority of breeding localities are on plains below 100 m  (Dymond and Porter 1996), mainly along the coastal periphery, apart from the recently discovered population on the Plateau of Ma'lih at c.650 m (O. Al-Sagheir in litt. 2004, R. Porter verbally 2004, R. Porter in litt. 2016) and one record from 850 m in the Hajhir (Hagghier) mountains (Forbes-Watson 1964). It is mostly found solely in low, dense dwarf-shrubland on silt or sand, reaching its highest densities along the coastal zone in halophytic vegetation (Dymond and Porter 1996, Jennings 2010). Scattered larger shrubs of Tamarix and Suaeda are sometimes present. The distribution of such habitat on Socotra appears to determine the species's distribution, individual habitat patches being small and disjunct, and the total extent of suitable habitat is likely to be less than 100 km². The breeding season is thought to run from mid-October to late-April (R. Porter in litt. 2016). Its diet consist mainly of insects (Ryan 2020).

In the longer term, land development in the coastal zone and on inland plains (e.g. for infrastructure or agriculture) may pose a threat, if sited incorrectly, through destruction and degradation of the species' habitat. Indeed, land use change in coastal habitats may have already claimed c.1% of the species' habitat (O. Al-Sagheir in litt. 2016). The species' habitat is grazed by goats; it is not known if this is limiting the extent of suitable habitat. 

Conservation Actions Underway
Extensive surveys in 1993, 1999 and 2000 have discovered several of the most important areas for the species, and these have been incorporated into the conservation zoning plan of the Environmental Protection Council's masterplan for the development of the archipelago (Zandri 2000). Six of the 21 IBAs identified on Socotra hold breeding populations of this species (R. Porter in litt. 2016).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue surveying coastal and lowland habitats to establish the species' range and population, especially in areas where optimal habitat remains (Dymond and Porter 1996). Clarify the status of the montane population. Continue to identify and monitor key sites and ensure that these are incorporated in the island's Conservation Zoning Plan. Carry out impact assessments for any development projects proposed at key sites. Investigate the effect of goats on population density and breeding success.

10 cm. Small warbler. Streaked upperparts. Distinctly rufous uppertail and uppertail-coverts. Short tail. Similar spp. Socotra Warbler Incana incana has uniform greyish-brown upperparts and rufous wash to crown and nape, with longer bill, and lacks rufous on uppertail. Voice Song is repeated, short, metallic chip in flight, getting shorter and quicker as song progresses. Alarm call a short phut audible at close range. Subdued tititi ... also noted after alighting or at end of song. Hints General behaviour, aerial display-flights and vocalisations closely similar to Zitting Cisticola C. juncidis and Madagascar Cisticola C. cherina.

Text account compilers
Fernando, E.

Contributors
Al-Sagheir, O., Ashpole, J, Ekstrom, J., Harding, M., Jennings, M., Mahood, S., Martins, R. & Porter, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/socotra-cisticola-cisticola-haesitatus 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.