Taxon name
Curruca nana
Ehrenberg, 1833
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Curruca nana
Ehrenberg, 1833
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Birds
Species authority
Ehrenberg, 1833
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
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.
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
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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.
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
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.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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.
Threats and conservation measures listed
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.
History
It is assessed 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
