Circaetus gallicus | UAE National Red List of Birds

Taxa
Circaetus gallicus | (Gmelin, 1788)
Publication
UAE National Red List of Birds
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
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species is uncommon in the UAE, where it is found mainly during winter and on migration to and from the breeding sites (Pedersen et al. 2017). Individuals have been recorded in all months (Pedersen et al. 2017). The species has formerly bred in Ras al-Khaimah (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017).
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 open plains with rocky outcrops, deep wadis, hills and mountains, and semi-deserts with scattered trees (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Although occurring in open habitats, the species generally requires some degree of tree cover (del Hoyo et al. 1994). There is no information on the species's diet in the UAE; elsewhere is specialises in feeding on reptiles, particularly snakes, and potentially also Spiny-tailed Lizards Uromastyx microlepis, carrion, small birds and mammals, eggs and large insects (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Jennings 2010). The nest is constructed of twigs and placed inside the crown of large trees (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Jennings 2010).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Critically Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
CR
Assessment status criteria
D
Assessment rationale/justification
This species has an extremely small non-breeding population within the UAE, and is retained in this assessment because of its listing as Vulnerable in the Arabian Breeding Bird Red List. The species does not appear to warrant a regional adjustment and so is listed here as Critically Endangered.
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
It is uncertain whether this species is impacted by any specific threats within UAE. It does face a range of threats across its global range, all of which could impact individuals that visit UAE, and these are described below.The species suffered a marked decline in northern Europe in the 19<sup>th</sup>-20<sup>th</sup> centuries, due to habitat loss and persecution (Snow and Perrins 1998, Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). In Europe, changes in agriculture and land use have reduced the extent of suitable hunting habitat. In addition, snake populations have been reduced by increased cultivation of monocultures, hedge destruction, agricultural intensification and the abandonment of traditional farmland and subsequent afforestation. Habitat fragmentation in Europe has resulted from forest fires and road construction. Nest destruction and powerlines represent additional threats (Tucker and Heath 1994). It is also vulnerable to the effects of potential wind energy development (STRIX 2012).
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
Circaetus gallicus Animalia Chordata Aves Accipitriformes Accipitridae Circaetus