Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not 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 has not been quantified, 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). Despite the fact that the population trend is suspected to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to 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
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally common (Gibbs et al. 2001, Baptista et al. 2020). Although previously suspected to have a moderately small population due to its restricted range and specialised habitat type, recent records show that it is more widely distributed, and therefore its population size is larger than previously thought.
Trend justification
The species has a restricted habitat type which is thought to be under threat from logging and conversion to agriculture, supported by a slow deforestation rate (projected to reach 9% over the next three generations) derived from Global Forest Watch (2022), using Hansen et al. (2013) data and methods disclosed therein. However, the species appears to be more widely distributed than previously thought and may be adaptable to secondary habitats. Based on this information, it is suspected that the population may be undergoing a slow decline in population size, although further survey work is needed to better understand the population trend.
Streptopelia reichenowi is found in the vicinity of the Jubba and Shabeelle rivers which flow from Ethiopia into Somalia, and their tributaries, extending well into Ethiopia (e.g. up into the Bale Mountains, where some of these tributaries start), and including the Dawa river (a tributary of the Jubba) along the border between north-east Kenya and Ethiopia. Recent records show however that it actually occurs in other parts of Ethiopia too, such as within the vicinity of the Ethiopia Rift Valley Lakes to Addis Abbaba (eBird 2023), and the Awi zone wetland habitats in the western part of the country (Bezabh 2016). It appears to be still relatively locally common, at least within the southern half of its range (Ash and Miskell 1998, Baptista et al. 2020). Based on additional reported records, the species may also be present north-west of Addis Abbaba extending into north-western Somalia (eBird 2023), and farther south-west in Kenya from its current known range at Lake Baringo Ramsar Site (Koyo 2001).
In Somalia, the species is found in riparian woodland, usually near water, and has also been seen in towns (Madgwick 1986). In Ethiopia, it has also colonised windbreaks planted next to irrigation channels (Brown 1977) and although usually associated with water, even small pools (Ash and Miskell 1998), it is also found in drier vegetation a few kilometres from rivers (Urban et al. 1986), where it replaces other Streptopelia species (Brown 1977). More recent data from Ethiopia shows that it can also be found in Afro-tropical highlands such as the Bale Mountains (eBird 2023) and Awi zone wetlands (Bezabh 2016). It has been found to occur at least up to 4000m in elevation (eBird 2023), and could possibly be present at higher elevations within its range, where suitable habitat is present. S. reichenowi forages mainly on the ground, with berries being an important food item. Breeding is known to occur in January and February in Ethiopia (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The nest is a loose platform of interlaced petioles and twigs, 15 cm in width and situated 2.5 m high in a Parkinsonia tree. The clutch-size is two (Baptista et al. 2020).
Riverine woodland in Ethiopia is being destroyed owing to conversion to agriculture and fuelwood collection (EWNHS 1996), and it is considered highly threatened in Somalia for the same reasons (Ash and Miskell 1998; Madgwick 1986). These widespread threats to the species' natural habitat cause some concern for its future, but its mobility and ability to colonise secondary habitats (near water) may be sufficient to ensure its survival. The effects on the species and its habitats of armed conflict and civil unrest in parts of its range are unknown (Baptista et al. 2020), and climate change may also affect the species in the future as it engenders changes in temperature and precipitation over time (McSweeney et al. 2010).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in at least two National Parks (Bale Mountains and Malka Mari). No conservation action for the species is known.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Contributors
Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-winged Collared-dove Streptopelia reichenowi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-winged-collared-dove-streptopelia-reichenowi on 25/11/2024.
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 25/11/2024.