Annual review of globally threatened birds
BirdLife International continually collates up-to-date information on globally threatened birds. Their Globally Threatened Birds Forum provides an opportunity for both professional and amateur birdwatchers and conservationists to contribute information on globally threatened birds relevant to the assessment of their threat status and their conservation. In the forum this year, discuss on Columbids focuses on whether São Tomé’s pigeons are more threatened by hunting than current Red List status suggests. Maroon Pigeon Columba thomensis (Vulnerable), São Tomé Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba malherbi (Least Concern) and São Tomé Green-pigeon Treron sanctithomae (Least Concern) are all endemic to the islands of São Tomé, Príncipe and Annobón. A major threat to all three species is uncontrolled hunting with the bushmeat trade potentially having a negative impact on populations. Maroon Pigeon has an estimated population size of 250-999 mature individuals but if declining due to hunting pressure the species may warrant uplisting to Endangered under criterion C2aii of the IUCN Red List criteria. If the population of São Tomé Green-pigeon and/or São Tomé Bronze-naped Pigeon approaches 10,000 mature individuals and declines are evident owing to hunting pressure these species could qualify as Near Threatened.

See also: Dallimer, M. (m.dallimer “at” sheffield.ac.uk), King, T. Atkinson, R.J. (2009) Pervasive threats within a protected area: conserving the endemic birds of São Tomé, West Africa. Animal Conservation 12(3): 209-219 (São Tomé Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba malherbii).