Taxon name
Circaetus gallicus
(Gmelin, 1788)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Circaetus gallicus
(Gmelin, 1788)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Birds
Species authority
(Gmelin, 1788)
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 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.
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 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).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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).
Threats and conservation measures listed
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).
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
