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The taxonomically intriguing Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus is an elusive, localised, regional endemic. It is suspected to have undergone a decline of 30% over a fifteen-year period, and is consequently assessed as regionally Vulnerable.
The Bush Blackcap is endemic to the region, occurring from the north-eastern Eastern Cape, through the lower foothills and mistbelt forests of KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern Free State, western Swaziland and Mpumalanga in a band of 750-1 825 masl, hugging the escarpment (Oatley 1997). Within this area, it shows a distinct preference for stands of Ouhout Leucosidea sericea and different sagewood species Buddleja spp. (Barnes 2000) as well edges of Afromontane forests (Lloyd 2005). The species is an altitudinal migrant, descending from high altitudes in winter to within 50 km of the coast (MR Taylor pers. obs.). Occasional records from the central and south-eastern Free State (Earlé and Grobler 1987) and with increasing frequency around Johannesburg, Gauteng (Selfe 1999, Pienaar 2000) may represent unusually extensive altitudinal migration or juvenile dispersal (Lloyd 2005), or perhaps pioneering colonisation efforts of Gauteng's ‘urban forest' during the non-breeding season. While its EoO has decreased only slightly, the AoO has decreased by 34% to 37 200 km2. Its very specific ecological requirements mean that only 2% of this range represents suitable breeding habitat, equating to a more realistic AoO of just 744 km2. It should be noted that the extensive post-breeding movements of the Bush Blackcap may over-inflate its estimated AoO. The species is reported from 22 IBAs in the region, and is well represented in the protected areas network.
Siegfried (1992) estimated the global population at 1 500-5 000 birds with 500-1 000 occurring in protected areas. Parker (1994) provides a figure of 40 birds for Swaziland while Monadjem et al. (2003) suggested an updated figure of 40-60 individuals. It should be noted that the majority of the Swaziland records are from the winter months (Monadjem et al. 2003) indicating a seasonal influx from higher altitudes in South Africa. The regional population is estimated to be between 1500 and 3 000 mature individuals. Confidence in this population estimate is low and it requires verification.
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation (BirdLife International 2014). The three-generation period of 15 years (BirdLife International 2014) is similar to the gap between atlas periods. Based on a decline in the AoO between the current and previous atlas projects, it is suspected that the species has undergone a decline in the region of 30%. However, confidence in this trend estimate is low.
The severity of threats facing the Bush Blackcap have not been fully investigated, and concerns for its conservation stem mostly from its naturally small range, restricted and fragmented habitat and low densities. The continuation of forestry on the breeding grounds of the Bush Blackcap in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga poses a major threat in the form of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. In the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, commercial afforestation and agriculture (both commercial and subsistence), as well as urban development, have badly affected the wintering grounds of this species. The potential effects of climate change on the Bush Blackcap should be assessed.
No species-specific measures are in place. However, the establishment of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site has aided in the conservation of a major portion of the species' breeding stronghold. Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (KwaZulu-Natal) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in KwaZulu-Natal to ensure that indigenous forest patches and the surrounding ecotonal buffer are managed co-operatively so as to ensure that any proposed development has a minimal effect thereon.
Apart from continuing protection of Afromontane forest patches, conservation measures pertaining specifically to the Bush Blackcap can only be proposed once the threats facing the species, and the reasons behind its apparent decline in range and abundance, have been analysed.
* An accurate estimate of the population is required as is a better understanding of its altitudinal movements.
* Assess threats and reasons behind decline.