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• Text account
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Justification of Red List category

Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to 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 size may be 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). 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). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

 

Population justification
A survey-based population estimate has not been calculated for this species. The population size was inferred c.2000 to number 10,000-19,999 individuals, based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size, and recorded population density estimates for congeners. Due to political instability, no recent information is available. It is therefore suspected that the population size still falls into the band of 10,000-19,999 individuals, roughly equivalent to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, and rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Rates of forest loss are not as great as once feared and local inhabitants are also protecting their forest. Between 2009 and 2019, a 0.33% decrease in tree cover was reported throughout this species's range by Global Forest Watch (2020), equating to a loss of 0.37% over three generations (11.4 years [Bird et al. 2020]). While juniper woodland is thought to be a key component of this species’s habitat, it is not entirely dependent on forest cover, so it is assumed to be declining at a slower rate than forest loss, a rate <1% over three generations. In the absence of other known threats, the population is suspected to be stable.

Turdus ludoviciae occurs in mountain-top woodlands in northern Somalia. It was considered to be locally common in 1979, most notably in Daalo Forest Reserve where it has remained common (Ash and Miskell 1998; J. Miskell in litt. 2006; N. Redman in litt. 2016), and at Mt. Wagar in 2005 (J. Miskell in litt. 2006). There is also a report from Gacaan Libex in 1999 (J. Miskell in litt. 2006).

This species is found in juniper woodlands and neighbouring open areas of mountain-tops at 1,300-2,000 m (Urban et al. 1997; Ash and Miskell 1998). It is reported to be shy and not very vocal (N. Redman in litt. 2016), and often feeds in small parties, sometimes in groups of up to 30 birds when feeding on fruiting juniper (Urban et al. 1997; Ash and Miskell 1998). Four nests have been found, all containing two eggs, and several pairs have been observed feeding young in the nest in May (Ash and Miskell 1998).

In 1979, the species's habitat was greatly threatened by forest destruction, including burning, felling and cattle-grazing, against which Forest Reserve status provided no protection in the political situation at the time (Ash and Miskell 1998). There were reports in 1998 that the juniper woodlands in the species's range had been completely felled (J. S. Ash in litt. 1999). Due to the ongoing political situation, obtaining recent information for this species is difficult, however intact juniper woodland has remained in at least some of its known sites, at least up to 2012 (J. Miskell in litt. 2006; N. Redman in litt. 2016). Furthermore, data from Global Forest Watch (2020) suggests that tree cover loss between 2009-2019 was only 0.33%.

Conservation Actions Underway
In 2005, local inhabitants of the Daloh area were enthusiastically defending remaining juniper woodland from potential wood cutters (J. Miskell in litt. 2006).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Establish how much of its habitat remains. Assess the size and trend of its population. Support local inhabitants in their defense of juniper woodland.

23 cm. Medium-sized thrush of montane woodland. Brownish-grey with contrasting black head and breast. Bright yellow bill. Female has streaked and mottled white throat and streaked breast. Juvenile has similar blotching and spotting as in other young thrushes. Similar spp. Head of Olive Thrush T. olivaceus brownish-grey. Voice Song similar to T. olivaceus, alarm chatter harsher.

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Ash, J.S., Ekstrom, J., Mahood, S., Miskell, J., Redman, N., Shutes, S., Starkey, M., Symes, A. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Somali Thrush Turdus ludoviciae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/somali-thrush-turdus-ludoviciae 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.