Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Vulnerable because it is suspected undergo a rapid population decline over the next three generations, based on the rate of forest destruction throughout its range. It is also heavily persecuted in some parts of its range.
Population justification
In 1995, the world population was estimated at 85,000-115,000 individuals (Gartshore et al. 1995). Surveys carried out by Waltert et al. (2010) estimated a population of 42,400-119,800 individuals at the species's stronghold in the Taï region of Côte d'Ivoire. Previous estimates in other parts of its range include c.5,700-8,700 in Sierra Leone (Allport et al. 1989), over 10,000 in Liberia (Gatter 1997), and c.1,000 in Ghana (Allport 1991). Combining these figures produces a population estimate of c.59,100-139,500 individuals, roughly equivalent to 39,000-93,000 mature individuals. Owing to the age of some estimates, and the levels of reported poaching and habitat degradation that has since occurred (H. Rainey in litt. 2007; Waltert et al. 2010), it is likely that the population falls at the lower end of the estimate.
Trend justification
The species is inferred to be declining owing to the destruction of habitat through logging and forest clearance for agriculture (H. Rainey in litt. 2007; Global Forest Watch 2021). Where it still occurs in large numbers, it suffers high mortality from poaching (Freeman et al. 2019). Increased hunting in logged areas may prevent recovery at some sites (Allport et al. 1989; Holbech 1996).
Agelastes meleagrides is endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem, which once covered a large part of West Africa, but is now severely reduced and highly fragmented. It now occurs in remnant forest patches in Sierra Leone (Gola Forest region only; the population has been put at c.5,700-8,700 [Allport et al. 1989], although this was probably an over-estimate [J. Lindsell in litt. 2007]), Liberia (population estimated at more than 10,000 in 1985 [Gatter 1997]), Côte d'Ivoire (notably in the Taï region, where the population was estimated at 42,400 to 119,800 in 2000/01 [Waltert et al. 2010], but also at Haute Dodo, where it is rare, and Cavally Forest Reserves, where it may be fairly common [H. Rainey in litt. 2007]) and Ghana (population estimated at 1,000 birds, although with the possible exception of Ankasa, these could be remnant populations that are not viable given the level of hunting pressure in the country [Allport 1991, B. Phalan in litt. 2009]). Its scarcity in Ghana is confirmed by a lack of records from surveys and interviews with local hunters in Draw River, Boi-Tano and Krokosua forest reserves in 2003 (H. Rainey in litt. 2007).
Ecology poorly known. Lives in small groups of typically 15-20 individuals, although the largest flock recorded consisted of 38 birds (Waltert et al. 2010). Surveys conducted in the Taï region of Côte d'Ivoire suggest a preference for drier forest (Waltert et al. 2010). It has been suggested that population density is much lower in secondary forest (Urban et al. 1986, Allport et al. 1989, H. Rainey in litt. 2007); however, surveys conducted by Waltert et al. (2010) show that it can occurs at high densities in areas of past disturbance and is not confined to unlogged primary forest. It has been reported in old secondary forest in Ghana (Holbech 1996) and Sierra Leone (E. Klop in litt. 2007, J. Lindsell in litt. 2007) and in cocoa plantations along the Kwadi river, south of Gola North (E. Klop in litt. 2007). It feeds on insects, small molluscs, berries and fallen seeds of forest trees (Urban et al. 1986). The breeding season is October-May, possibly year-round (Martinez 1994). The species joins groups of sooty mangabeys Cercocebus atys and other terrestrial mammals to forage in Taï National Park (H. Rainey in litt. 2007).
Its habitat is rapidly receding and where it still occurs in large numbers it is heavily poached. During the recent conflict, forest in Côte d'Ivoire was logged illegally and opportunistically (H. Rainey in litt. 2007). Logging and forest clearance for agriculture may increase in Liberia with the return of peace (H. Rainey in litt. 2007). Increased hunting in logged areas may push the species beyond recovery at some sites (Allport et al. 1989, Holbech 1996). In the Taï region, levels of poaching are thought to be increasing and the species is now almost absent from the southeast of Taï National Park where hunting is most prolific (Waltert et al. 2010). In Gola forest, the trapping of Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani using snares may be a threat (E. Klop in litt. 2007). A. meleagrides may be especially susceptible to poaching since groups are reported to be easily shot by imitating their grouping call which causes individuals to assemble rather than spread as in G. pucherani (Bechinger 1964, Waltert et al. 2010). Interspecific competition with the larger G. pucherani may exclude the species from some logged forest (Gartshore et al. 1995, Gatter 1997).
Conservation Actions Underway
Between 2000-2004, this species was subject to an action plan by Fuller et al. (2000). In Sierra Leone, the species is restricted to Gola Forest, which is now well-protected, and surrounding areas (J. Lindsell in litt. 2007, 2012). In Côte d'Ivoire, Taï National Park is one of the largest and best-preserved areas of Upper Guinea forest. Plans are underway to establish a trans-boundary reserve across the Sierra Leone-Liberia border. The park will link the 72,000 ha Gola Forest Reserve in Sierra Leone with the proposed 98,000 ha Gola National Rainforest National Park in Liberia via cross-border forest corridors potentially covering a further 50,000 ha. Work has begun to build national capacity (both government and civil society) to manage the trans-boundary protected area and ensure that local forest communities will benefit from future management (BirdLife International 2011).
40-45 cm. Medium-sized, terrestrial bird with small head. Bare red head and upper neck. Pure white lower neck, breast and upper back. Rest of plumage black, finely vermiculated with white. Female similar to male but slightly smaller. Voice Low deep kok-kok, also loud, ringing, melodious call. Rather vocal, uttering dry ticking calls. Hints Occurs singly, in pairs or small groups, but more commonly in groups of 15-24 birds, constantly moving in search of food and occupying large territories.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Allinson, T, Demey, R., Ekstrom, J., Gartshore, M.E., Keane, A., Klop, E., Lindsell, J., Phalan, B., Rainey, H., Robertson, P., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Thompson, H.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-breasted-guineafowl-agelastes-meleagrides 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.