Anthus similis | UAE National Red List of Birds

Taxa
Anthus similis | Jerdon, 1840
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Birds
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxonomic Notes
Anthus similis and A. nyassae (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) were previously lumped as A. similis following AERC TAC (2003); Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994); Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993). Anthus longicaudatus is no longer recognized as a species, following del Hoyo and Collar (2016); available material in museums is an amalgam of specimens of A. vaalensis and A. similis.
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species is an uncommon to fairly common resident in the northern highlands as well as in the eastern part of the UAE. Occasionally, individuals stop in the country during migration or for wintering (Pedersen et al. 2017). The occurrence of wintering individuals in the lowland plains along the coast might be of local altitudinal migrants within the country (Jennings 2010).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species inhabits rocky hills, slopes and terraced fields in the highlands (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It favours areas with bushes, sparse trees and a dense vegetation cover on the ground (Jennings 2010). Its diet includes invertebrates (grasshoppers and other insects), which it takes from the ground, sometimes even by running and chasing (Jennings 2010). Within the UAE, it breeds above c. 500 m, ranging to he highest elevations (Jennings 2010). During winter, highland birds migrate to lower elevations (Jennings 2010). In general, the breeding season of this species varies across regions and the onset of breeding in the UAE remains largely unknown. It has been suggested that the species is double-brooded, with a first clutch produced at lower altitudes with juveniles hatching between October and April, and a second clutch produced subsequently after moving to higher altitudes from late March/April on (Jennings 2010). The nest is usually loosely constructed of grass and placed in a natural hollow on a hillside, concealed by a boulder or bush (Jennings 2010). There is the possibility that locally nests might be parasitised by the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), which is assumed to breed in Musandam (Oman) and maybe ranging into northern UAE (Jennings 2010).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Vulnerable
Assessment status abreviation
VU
Assessment status criteria
D1
Assessment rationale/justification
This species's breeding population within the UAE is small enough to trigger a listing as Endangered under Criterion D. However, the species is likely a recipient of immigration from outside of the country which would provide a rescue effect. Therefore, the category has undergone a regional adjustment, and the species is listed here as Vulnerable under Criterion D1.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
Development in montane areas may potentially pose a threat, as may coastal development in its wintering range. Overgrazing outside of Protected Areas potentially could also have an impact.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
It is assessed that in 1996, the national Red List status of this species would have been the same as in this assessment.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Anthus similis Animalia Chordata Aves Passeriformes Motacillidae Anthus