Open image gallery
The regional population of Striped Flufftail Sarothrura affinis is suspected to be undergoing a decline as a result of habitat loss, such that 10% of the regional population may have been lost in the last three generations, qualifying the species as regionally Vulnerable. Throughout its fragmented range, suitable grassland habitat is under severe threat from unsuitable burning regimes, heavy grazing, agriculture and afforestation.
In its extensive but fragmented Afrotropical range, the Striped Flufftail occurs in six isolated relict populations in montane grassland habitats. The race antonii occurs from South Sudan to the highlands of western and central Kenya and the Kenya-Tanzania border, as well as in southern Tanzania, Malawi and adjacent Zambia, and at three localities in the highlands of eastern Zimbabwe (Irwin 1981, Taylor 1994). There are no records from adjacent Mozambique (Parker 1999).
The nominate race is endemic to South Africa, Swaziland and, at least formerly, Lesotho. In South Africa, this taxon occurs from the Cape Peninsula eastwards along mountain ranges in Western Cape, at scattered localities throughout Eastern Cape (although it is uncommon to rare in the former Transkei; Quickelberge 1989) to southern KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg. It is also known from south-eastern Mpumalanga (Kaapschehoop, Belfast, Graskop areas) and adjacent Swaziland, where it is apparently restricted to Malolotja National Park (Parker 1994).
In Limpopo Province, there are few records, although Allan (1988) mentions its occurrence at Serala (Wolkberg), and a specimen was collected at Woodbush in 1905 (Tarboton et al. 1987); the species does still persist in that area, as evidenced by a December 2014 photographic record from the Haenertsburg area (D. Vasapolli pers. comm.). The northern population was previously thought to be isolated from populations in KwaZulu-Natal, but a 1907 specimen from Zuurbron, east of Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga (Taylor 1994), and recent records from the eastern Free State (Botha 1997, 1999) suggest that the range may be more continuous than previously thought (Hockey 2005). A record from Teyateyaneng, Lesotho was rejected by Winterbottom (Bonde 1993), but is probably acceptable, and the species may still occur in that country (Taylor 1994).
By combining the surface areas of all sites known to support this species, Taylor (2000) estimated the total area of occupancy at 24 500 km2, but cautioned that this an overestimate as only a fraction of this area holds suitable habitat, and that a revised total AoO of 2 400 km2 is more appropriate. Although a comparison of the SABAP1 and SABAP2 data sets suggests a decrease of c. 10% in the regional AoO, this estimate is probably still valid.
The global population size is unknown. Striped Flufftails are generally considered uncommon to rare, but are certainly widely overlooked due to their extremely secretive and elusive nature (Graham and Ryan 1984, Tarboton et al. 1987). Quantitative surveys by experienced observers may reveal that the species is more numerous and widespread than currently thought (Taylor 2000). Surveys are best conducted during the summer breeding season, when males often sing throughout the night (with the hooting call audible at up to 2 km on a still night). Both sexes also frequently give piercing territorial calls during the day (Taylor 1994).
The species can occur at high local densities in well-managed protected areas. For example at one study site (Mount Currie Nature Reserve IBA SA084), 59 territories were located, of which 16-33 were occupied in a season; the maximum breeding population for the reserve was 33 pairs in one summer, occurring at a density of 1 pair/21 ha of suitable habitat, and a maximum of 1 pair/11 ha (Taylor 1994, 2000). Territories are 1.05-2.30 ha (1.64 ± 0.36 ha) in extent, while home ranges are 2.00-3.24 ha (2.58 ± 0.38 ha) in size. It has recently been recorded at a number of new localities in Western Cape (Graham and Ryan 1984, Ryan 1987, Taylor 2000) and is described as fairly common in some areas of that province (Hockey 1989). Barnes (1998) estimated the regional population occurring in IBAs at 466-618 breeding pairs or 1 203-1 895 birds. Additional populations from non-IBA sites (Taylor 1997) raises this total to 586-738 breeding pairs or 1 443-2 135 birds. Recent population estimates are unavailable, but it is unlikely that these figures have changed significantly. The regional population is thus estimated at c. 1 730 (range 1 440-2 150) mature individuals (Taylor 2000). Confidence in this estimate is medium.
The global population trend is decreasing (BirdLife International 2014). The regional population is also suspected to be undergoing a decline owing to ongoing habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation (Taylor 2000), but the extent and rate of this decline are unknown.
As with other threatened grassland species, the main threat to the Striped Flufftail is the continued degradation and loss of its upland grassland habitat through unsuitable burning practices, intensive grazing, agricultural practices and commercial afforestation (Taylor 2000). Particularly in coastal areas, urban settlement has also destroyed much former habitat. Although the species remains relatively numerous in a few well-managed protected areas, its range has become more fragmented and it has disappeared from many regions.
Inappropriate fire regimes, including fast-moving and/or high-intensity fires, are likely to cause local population decreases. The species appears to be adapted to both fire climax and post-fire climax vegetation, occurring in both short pure grassland and longer grass associated with scrub and forest edges. In KwaZulu-Natal, burns immediately reduce the breeding density, but the breeding population increases during the second season after a burn (Taylor 1994); periodic burning (or grazing) is thus necessary to maintain optimal habitat. Habitats not burned for 3-4 years develop a dense layer of moribund ground cover, only becoming suitable for occupation by flufftails again after several years when grass tufts become taller and less impenetrable.
Likewise, although a relatively high proportion of Mountain Fynbos is under formal conservation, inappropriate fire frequency and intensity is also considered a threat to this species in the Fynbos Biome. Very rapidly-moving and intense fires, especially in moribund vegetation, also pose a direct mortality risk, and there is one anecdotal account of a bird that died due to injuries sustained during a fire. It appears that the reluctance of flufftails to fly to escape fires may be fatal, e.g. Red-chested Flufftails have been recorded running ahead of fires for long distances instead of flushing; when they eventually emerged onto a road they appeared dazed and confused by the smoke and could be caught by hand (or waiting natural predators such as Black-headed Herons Ardea melanocephala). Flufftails have also been recorded hiding inside dense tussocks of rushes to escape fires, or even enter rodent burrows (Taylor 1994). Slower and cooler burns tend to burn more patchily, leaving unburned spots that are probably important refuges for flufftails and other species.
The potential effects of climate change on this species have not been fully investigated, but may constitute a considerable cause for concern, given the Striped Flufftail's mountain habitats and occurrence in the Fynbos Biome (Simmons et al. 2004). Severe weather conditions also pose a local threat. Being highly sought-after by birdwatchers, avitourism may pose a limited local threat through disturbance, excessive playback of calls and trampling at popular birding sites. There are records of predation by Domestic cats Felis catus, and Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus, while Black Harrier Circus maurus and Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea are apparently attracted to Striped Flufftail vocalisations (Taylor 1994).
No conservation measures are currently underway.
Taylor (1994) summarised suggested conservation priorities, and identified key conservation areas, particularly the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (IBA SA064) which holds 68% of the region's known breeding pairs. Although accurate population estimates have not been calculated for many reserves, the future of this species and its upland grassland habitat is relatively secure in formally conserved upland grassland. However, the wintering areas may lie at lower elevations outside such protected areas, and habitat loss at these lower altitude sites could contribute to regional population declines, even if the breeding habitat is managed correctly. Notwithstanding the considerable difficulties in such a task, a priority should be an investigation of the extent of seasonal movements, the identification of significant wintering areas, and the effective management of such sites (Taylor 2000). A good first step would be to survey suitable habitat in the mildest climatic conditions at low elevations within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (Taylor 1994).
In farming areas suitable habitat patches could be created by encouraging land-owners to practise less intensive and continuous grazing, adoption of a biennial burning cycle and leaving some areas ungrazed for 1-2 years (Taylor 1994). Even a patch as small as 1.5-2 ha (e.g. on stream valley slopes or near moist depressions, in bracken-briar stands, or Leucosidea/Buddleja patches), will create suitable habitat and have a minimal effect on a farm's grazing potential (Taylor 2000). In terms of burning frequency, the best strategy is to mimic natural burns by establishing a mosaic of burned and unburned patches, thereby promoting growth of fire climax grassland on a biennial cycle, and establishment of post-fire climax areas of rank tall grass and scrub (Taylor 1994).
* Given that breeding sites in upland grasslands are relatively well-protected, it is important to establish the extent and nature of seasonal movements, and to identify key wintering sites in need of protection.
* Conduct population surveys, particularly in remote mountainous areas of Western Cape.
* Investigate economic feasibility and conservation potential of establishing an avitourism project focusing on this species. Such a project may serve multiple purposes: providing birdwatchers and researchers with non-intrusive opportunities to view the species; generate income for local communities; and encourage healthy ecosystem management.