Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a restricted range, which is likely declining. Its habitat is not thought to be severely fragmented yet and so it is listed as Near Threatened, but any evidence to show it is severely fragmented could lead to it being uplisted in the future.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species has been described as generally common and sometimes abundant, when still lumped with T. olivaceus (del Hoyo et al. 2005).
Trend justification
The species preferentially uses primary forest and only slightly disturbed forest (Newmark et al. 2010), which is likely to be declining as a result of encroachment of subsistence agriculture and wood extraction (e.g. Goodman et al. 1995). Negative population growth rates have also been reported for this species in some parts of its range (Newmark, 2006) and so the global population trend is thought to be declining.
Turdus roehli is found in north-east Tanzania in the North Pare and Usambara Mountains (Zimmerman et al. 1996). The population is also likely fragmented as while it may be well reported (found at all sites in Newmark et al. [2010]), it was not found in adjacent forest fragments over 20 years of study (Newmark et al. 2010).
This species preferentially uses primary forest and only slightly disturbed forest (Newmark et al. 2010).
This species's habitat is likely declining as a result of encroachment of subsistence agriculture and wood extraction (e.g. Goodman et al. 1995).
Conservation Actions UnderwaySome forest areas in the west Usambaras have developed community management plans (Goodman et al. 1995) but the outcomes and effectiveness of these is not known. In February 2000 a three-year evaluation of forest health, land-use change and information sharing in the Eastern Arc forests was established (Madoffe et al. undated, see www.easternarc.org). Satellite imagery, permanent sample plots and stakeholder interviews are being used to evaluate forest health (Madoffe et al. undated, see www.easternarc.org).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct fieldwork to establish its population size. Commence population monitoring. Assess and monitor potential threats, especially the extent and rate of loss or degradation of its habitat. Work with organisations such as Tea Estates to conserve forests in the West Usambaras, such as at Ambangulu (Goodman et al. 1995).
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. & Westrip, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Usambara Thrush Turdus roehli. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/usambara-thrush-turdus-roehli on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.