VU
Yellow-crested Helmetshrike Prionops alberti



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
- - A3c+4c

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Vulnerable A3c+4c
2016 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2012 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2008 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type continent
Average mass 61 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 77,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2500-9999 mature individuals poor inferred 2000
Population trend decreasing poor inferred 2018-2032
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 0-15% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 30-49% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 30-49% - - -
Generation length 4.8 years - - -

Population justification: The population is inferred to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied.

Trend justification: The population is inferred to be declining in line with the clearance of forest for agriculture within the species's range (Ryan et al. 2017). Ayebare et al. (2018) predict a range contraction for this species of 93% between c.2018 and 2080. This equates to a range loss of c.45% over three generations. Assuming that the population declines at a similar rate to range contraction, the suspected rate of future decline is therefore placed in the band of 30-49% over three generations.


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

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Forests west of Lake Edward
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Itombwe Mountains
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Mount Kabobo
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Virunga National Park

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 1400 - 2474 m Occasional altitudinal limits 1100 - 4400 m

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 Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
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
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-crested Helmetshrike Prionops alberti. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-crested-helmetshrike-prionops-alberti 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.