LC
White-headed Robin-chat Cossypha heinrichi



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

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

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Least Concern
2016 Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2012 Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2008 Vulnerable B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v)
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 30,700 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 6,668 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 6000-15000 mature individuals poor suspected 2000
Population trend decreasing medium suspected 2011-2024
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 5-15% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-20% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-20% - - -
Generation length 4.4 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population size is considered to number >10,000 individuals (Collar 2020). It is therefore suspected to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals, roughly equating to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The species's population is suspected to be declining in line with forest clearance and degradation. The rate of this is likely to be <20% over three generations.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Angola extant native yes
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Angola Calandula (Quedas de Calandula)
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Bombo-Lumene Game Reserve

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Savanna Dry suitable resident
Altitude 1250 - 1250 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Trend Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture international

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-headed Robin-chat Cossypha heinrichi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-headed-robin-chat-cossypha-heinrichi on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.