Curruca nana | UAE National Red List of Birds

Taxa
Curruca nana | Ehrenberg, 1833
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
Taxonomic Notes
Previously placed in Sylvia;(del Hoyo and Collar 2016) but moved to current genus following Cai et al. (2019). Until recently considered conspecific with C. deserti;(AERC TAC 2003, Cramp and Simmons 1977-1994, Dowsett and Forbes-Watson 1993 and Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) (see related note/s). Proposed subspecies theresae (from Sind, in Pakistan) falls within range of individual variation of nominate. Monotypic.
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The majority of occurrences of this species within the UAE are likely to be of wintering birds and migrant individuals on passage to and from the breeding grounds. Numbers are highest between September and early April, when the species is common in arid zones throughout the country (Aspinall and Porter 2011, Pedersen et al. 2017). Individuals wintering in or passing through the UAE breed in southern central Asia.
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 a variety of arid, sparsely vegetated habitats, including desert, semi-desert, gravel plains, scrubland, hillsides with low scattered bushes, scrubby saltflats and coastal dunes (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It avoids wooded areas (Aspinall and Porter 2011). The diet is thought to consist mostly of small insects (e.g. grasshoppers, moths), seeds and berries. The species is migratory. The breeding season starts in late April.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
The very small non-breeding population size of this species in the UAE means that the species could warrant listing as Near Threatened under Criterion D1. However, with conditions not deemed to be deteriorating significantly, and there being a good likelihood for a rescue effect for this population, a regional adjustment has been made. The species is, therefore, instead listed as Least Concern.
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
In the breeding range, the species is affected by habitat loss driven by overgrazing and agricultural intensification (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997). Continuing drought along with overgrazing can result in habitat loss (Aymí and Gargallo 2016). Overgrazing outside of Protected Areas may also be an issue for this species within the UAE too.
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
Curruca nana Animalia Chordata Aves Passeriformes Sylviidae Curruca