Taxon name
Oenanthe monacha
(Temminck, 1825)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Oenanthe monacha
(Temminck, 1825)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Birds
Species authority
(Temminck, 1825)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Critically Endangered
Qualifying criteria (if given)
D
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species potentially has a tiny breeding population within the UAE, and the likelihood of any rescue effect for the population is uncertain. There is insufficient information to be able to estimate a trend (although no significant threats are known), but the species still warrants listing as Critically Endangered under Criterion D.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species is rare in the UAE, with the majority of the population occurring in Abu Dhabi (Jebel Hafeet), Ras al-Khaimah (Wadi Bih) and Dubai (Hatta) emirates (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011, Pedersen et al. 2017). A part of the population may disperse during winter to western UAE around Jebel Dhanna (Abu Dhabi Emirate) (Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Aspinall and Porter 2011, Pedersen et al. 2017).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is confined to remote arid, rocky areas on mountain slopes, inaccessible scree cliffs, wadis and gorges (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is adapted to this environments by having an agile, buoyant flight and the ability to fly vertically along cliffs (Jennings 2010). During winter, is occurs in a broader range of habitats, including less inclined hills and rocks (Jennings 2010). It mostly avoids proximity to human dwellings; yet the inaccessibility of its habitat means that the risk of human encroachment is very low (Jennings 2010). There is not much information available on its diet and breeding behaviour in the UAE. Elsewhere, it feeds almost exclusively on flying insects. The breeding season may last from early spring to early summer; juveniles hatch from April on. Nests may be constructed of straw and weeds and placed deep into a crevice (Jennings 2010).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Given how inaccessible its habitat is, it is not thought to be under significant risk from any threat (see Aspinall 1996). However, development in montane areas may potentially pose a threat, and overgrazing outside of Protected Areas potentially could have an impact.
History
It is considered that in 1996, the national Red List status of this species would have been the same as in this assessment.
Publication
Burfield, I.J., Westrip, J., Sheldon, R.D., Hermes, C., Wheatley, H., Smith, D., Harding, K.A. Allen, D.J. and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Birds. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
