Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species's overall range is small and its montane forest habitat is threatened and continues to decline in extent and quality at some locations. A re-assessment of its extent of occurrence using a Minimum Convex Polygon means it does not meet the threshold for Endangered any more, but it does still warrant listing as Vulnerable.
Population justification
In 1998, the population in Bakossi, Cameroon, one of the most important sites for the species, was estimated at several thousand individuals, thus as a preliminary population estimate the species is placed in the range bracket for 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals. Further documentation is required.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to the effects of forest clearance for cultivation, logging for timber and firewood, fires and intensive grazing by livestock; and as forest patches become smaller population densities decrease (F. D. Dami in litt. 2016). The likely rate of decline, however, has not been estimated.
Kupeornis gilberti is restricted to a few localities in western Cameroon (Rumpi Hills, Bakossi Mountains, Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary [R. Fotso in litt. 1999], Mt Kupe, Mt Manenguba (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999c), Mt Nlonako, Foto near Dschang), and eastern Nigeria (Obudu Plateau). It is common on the Obudu Plateau (Elgood et al. 1994, P. Hall in litt. 1999) and, in 1999, was found to be very common on Mt Manenguba (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999c). However, the two most important sites for the species are the Bakossi Mountains and Rumpi Hills, because of the area of suitable forest remaining (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998d). In 1998, the estimated population in Bakossi was several thousand individuals (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998d). Tracewski et al. (2016) estimated the maximum Area of Occupancy (calculated as the remaining tree area within the species’s range) to be c.910 km2.
It appears to be dependent on primary montane forest with high rainfall, but has also been seen in mature secondary growth, including 10 m tall, scrubby but mossy Maesa forest on the southern slopes of Mt Manenguba (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999c), and conifer trees around cattle-ranch buildings on the Obudu Plateau (P. Hall in litt. 1999). It occurs between 950-2,130 m, but its distribution (particularly the altitude) seems well correlated with that of thick epiphytic moss (F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 1999). The minimum forest patch size it was found on the Obudu Plateau was 3.4ha (Dami et al. 2014). It is mainly insectivorous, searching for food in moss, epiphytes and crevices in bark. It has been recorded breeding in west Cameroon from June to November, and on the Obudu Plateau in April.
Undisturbed forest throughout its range is under pressure from exploitation for timber and firewood, intensive grazing, fire and clearance for agriculture. Plans for a 70,000 hectare palm-oil plantation threaten to significantly fragment large areas of suitable habitat in southwestern Cameroon if approved (Linder et al. 2011).
Conservation Actions Underway
There is an ongoing conservation and development project at Mt Kupe. However, the forest still has no legal protection and there has been a slow extension of farmland on the northern slopes (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998d). The forests of the Bakossi Mountains are still waiting to be classified as part of a national park (R. Fotso in litt. 2007). The Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary is the focus of a major conservation programme (R. Fotso in litt. 1999). A small area of montane forest is protected on the Obudu Plateau (P. Hall in litt. 1999). The AP Leventis Ornithological Research Institute in the University of Jos, Nigeria visit Obudu Plateau every year to monitor the population in the various forest fragments (F. D. Dami in litt. 2016).
23 cm. Large, brown-and-white forest babbler. Combination of all chestnut-brown body and white face and breast are diagnostic. Greyish-olive wings and tail. Immature has mottled white and brown face and breast. Similar spp. No other bird in its range has white face. Voice Noisy chattering in groups and harsh chrook chrook call. Hints Travels through the forest in flocks of 10-12, often in mixed-species flocks, especially with Grey-headed Greenbul Phyllastrephus poliocephalus. Generally in the canopy, occasionally in the mid- or ground-stratum.
Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Ekstrom, J., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.
Contributors
Dami, F., Fotso, R., Hall, P. & Whytock, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-throated Mountain-babbler Kupeornis gilberti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-throated-mountain-babbler-kupeornis-gilberti 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.