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Emberiza calandra | UAE National Red List of Birds

Publication
UAE National Red List of Birds
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
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
Emberiza calandra (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) was previously placed in the genus Miliaria following AERC TAC (2003); Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994); Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993); Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993).
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The occurrence of this species within the UAE are mostly of individuals during migration or during the non-breeding season (Pedersen et al. 2017). Since the 1980s, the number of birds wintering in the country seems to have increased; the species is now fairly common between October and March (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). Since the 1990s, the species was possibly also breeding in the country as persistent song was recorded (Jennings 2010), but it is now thought to have potentially gone extinct as a breeding species.
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The species inhabits open grasslands, also in agricultural areas. It tolerates scattered bushes, but avoids extensive bushy cover, forests, rocks or wetlands (Jennings 2010, Madge and de Juana 2017). Its diet consists mainly of plant seeds, vegetable matter and invertebrates, which it takes from the ground (Jennings 2010). Based on observations of pairs, courtship behaviour, copulations and the collection of nesting material, it is assumed that the species breeds in the UAE since the 1990s (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). However, a conclusive proof is lacking to date, as no nest has been observed within the UAE (Jennings 2010). Elsewhere in general, the nest is placed on the ground, hidden among vegetation. It is entirely built by the female. The clutch, usually four to six eggs, is incubated by the female alone. The incubation period is 12-“14 days. The chicks are fed by the female (with the male in attendance) and leave the nest after 9-“13 often before being able to fly (Madge and de Juana 2017).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Critically Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
CR
Assessment status criteria
A2ace; D
Assessment rationale/justification
This species only colonised the UAE as a breeding species in the early 1990s, and has only ever been suspected to have a tiny breeding population within the country. There have been no recorded breeding attempts over recent years and it is now suspected that the species is no longer breeding in the country. The over-wintering population is suspected to fall in the hundreds, and so would trigger a listing as Vulnerable, although a regional adjustment could be made to bring it down to Near Threatened. However, the breeding season takes precedence here. Therefore, the species is listed here as Critically Endangered (Regionally Possibly Extinct) as a breeding species in UAE.
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
The species is mainly threatened as a consequence of changes to farming practice such as agricultural intensification (Donald and Forrest 1995, Hagemeijer and Blair 1997, Madge and de Juana 2017). And harvesting practices at breeding sites within the UAE likely lead to the loss of nesting attempts (Aspinall 1996).
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
The species is believed to have first colonised the UAE as a breeding species in the early 1990s, and Aspinall (1996) placed the population size at 2-10 pairs, as did Jennings (2010) in 2006. However, there have been no reported breeding attempts over recent years and it is now believed that the species potentially no longer breeding in the country (O. Campbell;per;R. Sheldon;in litt.;2019). It is therefore now listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Regionally Extinct), whereas in 1996 it would have been listed as Critically Endangered. A key threat could be to do with changing agricultural practices, but the driver behind the potential extinction of this species in the UAE is essentially unknown.