Rationale
(Changed due to Increased knowledge)
The regional population of the aptly named Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon senegaloides is suspected to have undergone a reduction of 50% over the last 10 years (A2). The species also meets the threshold for regionally Endangered status under B2 (area of occupancy less than500 km2, and experiencing a continuing decline in area of occupancy and area, extent and/or quality of habitat). In addition, the regional population is estimated to be less than 2 500 mature individuals, with no sub-population estimated to contain more than 250 mature individuals (C2a(i)).
Distribution
Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, along east coast from just north of equator in Somalia, through Kenya, Tanzania (including Pemba and Zanzibar islands), to Mozambique and South Africa. Within the region, strictly confined to coastal areas (less than 150 masl) in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. The range is divided into two areas: a breeding range in Eastern Cape, and a non-breeding range in KwaZulu-Natal (Berruti 1997). Within Eastern Cape, fairly common between Kei Mouth and Mbotyi, but apparently absent between Mbotyi and Umtamvuna River. Breeding has been confirmed at only a few sites in the Eastern Cape, including Kobonqaba (Pike 1966), Mazeppa Bay (Turkington 1984), Umgazi River Mouth (Kirschner 1984) and Silaka, Port St Johns (Boon 2000).
The non-breeding range in KwaZulu-Natal stretches from about Port Shepstone north to Kosi Bay, but in reality the species only occurs regularly at approximately six sites along the KwaZulu-Natal coast; from south to north these are Durban Bayhead, Beachwood Mangroves (Umgeni River), uMlalazi Nature Reserve, Umhlatuze Estuary and Casuarinas (Richards Bay), St Lucia (iSimangiliso) and Kosi Bay. Migrates in autumn from Eastern Cape breeding grounds to coastal KwaZulu-Natal (Berruti et al. 1994); in spring return migration proceeds in the opposite direction. During migration, the species occasionally visits suburban gardens (Botha and Botha 1991, Boon 1994, Davis 2005) and woodland/savannah habitats (Davis 2004).
To what extent the South African population disperses northwards in winter is uncertain, nor is it known whether the entire Eastern Cape population moves in winter or only a portion of it. The populations in Mozambique (Parker 1999, 2005) appear to be isolated from that in South Africa. Sporadic reports from rivers in southern Kruger National Park (Newman 1980) may indicate movement up rivers from Mozambique's coastal plain. Localised and scarce in southern Mozambique (Parker 1999), but is more widespread in Sofala Province, in central Mozambique (Parker 2005, Davies et al. 2012).
A more refined calculation shows that the available wintering habitat is highly limited (less than 10 km2) and restricted to only six sites. The extent of breeding habitat is not known for certain, but is unlikely to be greater than 50 km2 as the species only breeds in coastal riverine forest within a few kilometres (less than10 km) of the Indian Ocean, along banks of forested rivers and estuaries. Breeding has only been confirmed at four sites in Eastern Cape and there are unlikely to be more than 10-15 river mouths in that province with suitable riverine forest for breeding.
Population
The global population has not been quantified (BirdLife International 2014ag). There is no information currently available on the size of the breeding population in Eastern Cape, which is a serious impediment to accurately assessing the Mangrove Kingfisher's true conservation status. On the non-breeding grounds in KwaZulu-Natal, the wintering population numbers between 25-110 individuals (Johnson et al. 1998, Allan et al. 1999, Turpie 2005). The breeding population size is unknown, but the wintering population is very likely less than 150 birds, indicating (on the assumption that all or most of the breeding population moves from Eastern Cape into KwaZulu-Natal during winter) that the breeding population is likely to be less than250 individuals. Confidence in this regional population estimate is low.
Threats
The primary threat faced by the Mangrove Kingfisher is the destruction and degradation of its restricted habitat. In its non-breeding range in KwaZulu-Natal, the clearing of mangrove forests for harbour, industrial and other urban developments (Allan et al. 1999) is of great concern, while the destruction of riverine and coastal forests in Eastern Cape for housing, subsistence agriculture and fuel wood is likely to have had a negative impact on regional populations. A significant problem is that the majority of the South African breeding population appears to be concentrated in winter at only about six sites along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. This small number of wintering sites potentially leaves the species vulnerable to serious threat should any of these sites undergo modification or destruction. Although mortalities due to collisions with buildings have been recorded, this appears to be a relatively minor threat.
Conservation
Underway
There are currently no conservation measures underway focusing on this species.
Proposed
A Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) is recommended, as is a Biodiversity Management Plan, culminating in a National Species Recovery Plan. It also needs to be established what proportion of the Eastern Cape breeding population vacates to KwaZulu-Natal during winter. More accurate surveys of the wintering population in KwaZulu-Natal are needed, especially at the major wintering localities of Richards Bay, uMlalazi Nature Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Research
* Surveying the size and distribution of the breeding population in Eastern Cape is an urgent priority. No reliable estimate for the breeding population in the Eastern Cape is available and this should be highlighted as a major research and conservation priority.
* A phylogeographical study aimed at comparing the South African and Mozambican populations of Mangrove Kingfisher would assist in determining the relationship between the two, and whether or not gene flow occurs between these populations. The current assumption is that these populations are isolated.
