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Conserving the endemic birds on the Comoro Islands, I: general considerations on survival prospects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Michel Louette  and
Jan Stevens
Michel Louette
Affiliation:
Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium
Jan Stevens
Affiliation:
Provinciaal Natuurcentrum, Zuivelmarkt 33, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium
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The status of the Comoro endemic birds is briefly reviewed. Field data were gathered during expeditions in 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1989.

Some native birds (Cyanolanius madagascarinus, Dicrurus fuscipennis on Ngazidja, Treron australis on Mwali, Accipiter francesae, Otus rutilus, Leptosomus discolor on Ndzuani, Dicrurus waldenii on Maore) are so rare that they are certainly highly endangered. The altitudinal stenotopy of a few other species makes them also very vulnerable, e.g. Zosterops mouroniensis in the tree-heath zone on Mount Karthala above 1,750 m. A preliminary analysis of habitat preference on Ngazidja suggests a relatively large flexibility of most forest species between different types of forest, including those with altered vegetation structure, but demonstrated their absence in plantations without large trees and/or natural shrubs. Comparison of density of species in Ngazidja and Mwali and an overview of the avifaunal composition on all four islands are the basis for a discussion on colonization history (with possible extinctions), historical change in avifaunal composition, the suitability of each island for the different species and the completeness of their avifauna. The results are checked for possible threats and necessary actions for conservation. Competition by introduced species does not yet seem to be a problem. But importation of foreign animals must be banned and hunting must be regulated (especially for pigeons). Habitat loss (overexploitation of the forest) will soon become a serious problem for the stenotopie forest birds. A suggestion is made for delimiting a national park on Ngazidja and Mwali. Most controversial is the development of tourism. For long-lasting results, education of local people is necessary, together with full liaison with the authorities.

Il s'agit d'un rapide réexamen du statut des oiseaux endémiques des îles Comores. Des données ont été rassemblées sur le terrain au cours d'expéditions effectuées en 1981, 1983, 1985 et 1989. Certains oiseaux de la région (Cyanolanius madagascarinus, Dicrurus fuscipennis sur l'île Ngazidja, Treron australis sur l'île Mwali, Accipiter francesae, Otus rutilus, Leptosomus discolor sur l'île Ndzuani, Dicrurus waldenii sur l'île Maore) sont tellement rares qu'ils sont certainement hautement menacés. La sténotopie d'altitude de quelques autres espèces les rend également très vulnérables, par exemple Zosterops mouroniensis dans la zone couverte de bruyère sur la montagne Karthala, au-dessus de 1,750 mètres. Une étude préliminaire des préférences d'habitat sur l'île Ngazidja suggère, pour la plupart des espèces forestières, une flexibilité relativement grande quant à leur choix entre les différents types de forêt, y compris ayant une structure végétale modifiée. En revanche, cette étude montre l'absence de toute espèce dans les plantations ne comportant pas de grands arbres et/ou arbustes naturels. La comparaison des densités d'espèces sur les îles Ngazidja et Mwali, ainsi qu'un examen de la composition avifaunique des quatres îles, sont la base d'une discussion sur l'histoire de la colonisation (avec les extinctions possibles), les changements historiques dans la composition avifaunique, l'adéquation de chaque île pour les différentes espèces et le caractère complet de leur avifaune. Les résultats sont vérifiés pour identifier les menaces possibles et les actions de conservation nécessaires. La compétition venant d'espèces introduites ne semble pas encore poser de problème. Mais l'importation d'animaux étrangers doit être prohibée et la chasse contrôlée (surtout pour les pigeons). La perte de l'habitat (sur-exploitation de la forêt) deviendra bientôt un problème sérieux pour les oiseaux forestiers sténotopiques. Une suggestion a efé faite pour démarquer un pare national sur les îles Ngazidja et Mwali. Le développement le plus controversé est celui du tourisme. Pour parvenir à des résultats à long terme, il est nécessaire d'éduquer la population locale, et d'établir une véritable liaison avec les autorités.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1992 , pp. 61 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1992

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