5 thoughts on “Grey-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus)”
Downlisting the Grey-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus) from Near Threatened to Least Concern is not currently justified. The species continues to face significant challenges, particularly habitat loss and fragmentation. For downlisting to occur, there must be strong evidence of a stable or increasing population, reduced habitat threats, and effective conservation measures. Conservation actions would need to show significant success, such as reforestation, habitat protection, or improved local management of preffered Habitats, before downlisting could be justified. Until these conditions are met, the species is likely to remain in the Near Threatened category, or possibly face an uplisting if threats intensify.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 28 October 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Thank you, Philista, for your comment. While habitat loss is a concern, Global Forest Watch (GFW) data indicate that forest loss is mainly concentrated in localised areas within a small portion of the species’ range, rather than being widespread throughout its entire range. Additionally, much of the species’ range falls within protected areas such as Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru National Park, where rates of habitat loss are considerably slow. The species has also been observed in degraded habitats in Hell’s Gate National Park, suggesting some resilience to habitat degradation, meaning population declines may not be as severe as those of more sensitive species.
It should be noted that this category change reflects updated information (i.e. a correction to the previous assessment) rather than a genuine improvement in extinction risk. i.e. the previous assessment overestimated the population decline, and new data indicate the decline rate does approach the threshold under Criterion A. While habitat loss remains a threat, the localised nature of the habitat loss, the considerable proportion of the species’ range that is within established protected areas, and its resilience to degradation indicate that declines do not approach the threshold for Criterion A.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Grey-crested Helmetshrike is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Downlisting the Grey-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus) from Near Threatened to Least Concern is not currently justified. The species continues to face significant challenges, particularly habitat loss and fragmentation. For downlisting to occur, there must be strong evidence of a stable or increasing population, reduced habitat threats, and effective conservation measures. Conservation actions would need to show significant success, such as reforestation, habitat protection, or improved local management of preffered Habitats, before downlisting could be justified. Until these conditions are met, the species is likely to remain in the Near Threatened category, or possibly face an uplisting if threats intensify.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 28 October 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Thank you, Philista, for your comment. While habitat loss is a concern, Global Forest Watch (GFW) data indicate that forest loss is mainly concentrated in localised areas within a small portion of the species’ range, rather than being widespread throughout its entire range. Additionally, much of the species’ range falls within protected areas such as Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru National Park, where rates of habitat loss are considerably slow. The species has also been observed in degraded habitats in Hell’s Gate National Park, suggesting some resilience to habitat degradation, meaning population declines may not be as severe as those of more sensitive species.
It should be noted that this category change reflects updated information (i.e. a correction to the previous assessment) rather than a genuine improvement in extinction risk. i.e. the previous assessment overestimated the population decline, and new data indicate the decline rate does approach the threshold under Criterion A. While habitat loss remains a threat, the localised nature of the habitat loss, the considerable proportion of the species’ range that is within established protected areas, and its resilience to degradation indicate that declines do not approach the threshold for Criterion A.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Grey-crested Helmetshrike is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.