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The Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha is patchily distributed and generally rare throughout its sparse African range. Its occurrence in the region was only relatively recently discovered, and it has an extremely small regional population size of <50 mature individuals satisfying the population criterion for regionally Critically Endangered.
The distribution of Taita Falcon, throughout its range from southern Ethiopia to South Africa, is extremely fragmented (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001); even within areas where conditions would seem to be ideal it is rare. The species is highly sedentary, but there is some evidence of movements away from breeding areas in the non-breeding season (Hartley 2000). Within the region, the species is restricted to the Drakensberg Escarpment in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, with a reported AoO of 2 823 km2. Realistically the AoO occupied by the territories of just 20 known mature individuals is closer to 5 % of this figure; 141 km2. It is represented in the Blyde River Canyon (SA127) and Soutpansberg (SA003) IBAs.
The global population has been quantified at c. 1 000 mature individuals by BirdLife International (2014d). Confidence in this figure is low and the true number may be substantially lower. The first breeding pair of Taita Falcons in the region was recorded on the Drakensberg Escarpment in Mpumalanga in the late 1980s (Jenkins et al. 1991). Since then, incidental observations and two formal surveys of the same area have added a further 7-8 occupied nesting territories (Jenkins 2007, Jenkins et al. 2011a). The known regional population is c. 20 mature individuals; the actual population is unlikely to exceed 50 mature individuals (AR Jenkins pers. comm.). Confidence in this regional population estimate is medium.
The global population, in the absence of clear evidence of widespread declines or substantial threats, is thought to be stable (BirdLife International 2014d), although there is reason to believe that the Zimbabwe and Ugandan populations are substantially smaller now than they were 20 years ago (AR Jenkins per. comm.). The regional population is believed to be stable (Jenkins et al. 2011a). Confidence in this regional population trend estimate is medium.
Missing.
The primary threat to Taita Falcons in the region is transformation of mature, productive woodland into open habitat (AR Jenkins pers. comm.). Incidents of inter-specific aggression between Taita Falcon and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus, Verreauxs’ Eagle Aquila verreauxii, Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus, and Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus have been recorded (Jenkins et al. 2011a). The larger, and more dominant, Lanner Falcon more than likely outcompetes Taita Falcons for prey and nest sites, and may prey on flying young. The spraying of organochlorine pesticides may have reduced numbers in northern Zimbabwe (BirdLife International 2014d) and, given the close proximity of commercial farming activities to its range in South Africa, should be considered a threat.
The species is listed under Schedule 2: Specially Protected Wild Animal under the Limpopo Environmental Management Act No 7 of 2003.
A Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) is recommended, as is a Biodiversity Management Plan, culminating in a National Species Recovery Plan. Conservation measures will be determined by the research questions proposed. Special emphasis should be placed on research into the potential effects of pesticides. In addition, it is critical that suitable habitat within its range and, in particular, the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, is adequately protected.
* A systematic, range-wide survey of the species' distribution and population size.
* Determination of long-term territory occupancy and population-wide productivity.
* Investigation of ecological requirements, particularly with reference to Peregrine Falcon and Lanner Falcon.
* Evaluation of the potential effects of current and anticipated trends in environmental change, and the use of pesticides, on the status of this species.