Juniper Frankolin
| Juniper Frankolin | ||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Francolinus ochropectus | ||||||||||
| Dorst & Jouanin , 1952 |
The juniper francolin or Djibouti francolin ( Francolinus ochropectus ) is a species of bird from the pheasant-like family . The species is endemic to Djibouti and is threatened with extinction mainly due to habitat destruction.
description
Juniper francolin, like all members of the genus, are quite rounded, short-tailed, ground-dwelling ratites. They have a body length of about 35 cm. The top is solid gray-brown, only the neck is red-brown. The underside is spotted and dashed with strong brown spots on a whitish background. The beak is black, the legs are green-yellow. The calls made from a rattling "irk, irk, irk-kekekekekeke" rearward sloping and gargling with a tittering ( chuckled gurgle ending).
distribution
The juniper francolin is endemic to Djibouti . It occurs there only in two areas: In the approximately 15 km² forest area Forêt du Day and in the Mabla Mountains . The area of the total distribution area of the species is only about 610 km². It lives primarily in juniper forests at 700–1500 m above sea level, but has also been found in secondary forests and degraded forests.
Population development and endangerment
Half of the suitable habitat in the Forêt du Day was destroyed between 1977 and 1983, the stock of juniper francolin decreased accordingly between 1978 and 1984 from 5,600 to 1,500 birds. In 1998 the population there was estimated at 500–1000 birds. The size of the population in the Mabla Mountains is unknown. Overall, the population is expected to have decreased by more than 90% over the last 20 years. The main causes of decline are habitat destruction through overgrazing and the gathering of firewood. Hunting also plays a role. The species has been classified as critically endangered by the IUCN since 1994 . Part of the core area Forêt du Day was declared a national park as early as 1939, but this had no consequences and the national park status is no longer recognized today. Further projects for protection and environmental education were planned, but never implemented for various reasons. The area was recently re-protected by the government and further measures are planned.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Pternistis ochropectus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved November 14, 2011.