3 thoughts on “Yellow-throated Apalis (Apalis flavigularis)”
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 25 April 2025. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 25 April 2025, when discussions will re-open.
We have received an email expressing concern over the proposed downlisting of this species, citing extensive forest loss at Malosa, which is reported as nearly gone. While such degradation is concerning, the available evidence does not support listing the species as Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria.
Global Forest Watch data indicate a 21.6% decline in tree cover across the species’ range over the past 10 years—the relevant timeframe for this assessment. A substantial proportion of this loss occurred in 2024 on Mount Mulanje as a result of Cyclone Freddy, with significantly lower levels of loss recorded prior to this event. This suggests that the majority of deforestation at Malosa occurred outside the current assessment period. Consequently, there is insufficient evidence to support a population reduction exceeding 30% over the past 10 years, the threshold required for listing as Vulnerable under Criterion A, and the observed decline remains well below the >50% threshold for Endangered.
Although the species has a restricted Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy, it does not meet the subcriteria for listing under Criterion B. The population is not severely fragmented as per IUCN guidelines, which require >50% of individuals to occur in unviable subpopulations. While the loss of Malosa may reduce the number of locations (defined as areas where a single threatening event could rapidly affect all individuals), the total number is not likely to be 10 or less, as required under subcriteria B1a or B2a for Vulnerable. There is also no evidence of extreme fluctuations.
Under Criterion C, estimates from Mzumara et al. (2012) suggest the population on Mount Mulanje alone likely comprises 10,000 mature individuals or more, with the other two mountains therefore raising the total population size above the threshold (even if reduced due to forest loss). The largest subpopulation (Mount Mulanje) thus contains over 1,000 mature individuals and does not hold ≥90% of the global total. Therefore, the thresholds for C1 and C2 are not met.
Furthermore, the species utilises various habitats, including degraded forest, scrub and even invasive species such as Rubus ellipticus, indicating resilience to habitat modification.
Consequently, the species approaches threatened thresholds in multiple ways, but does not currently meet them under any criteria. The apparent loss of the species from part of the range is a serious concern, and ongoing forest conversion is likely to affect the species, even if it will use disturbed habitat as it does need forest nearby. Careful monitoring of the population remains very important, despite the data indicating that it is not currently eligible to be listed as threatened.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 4 May 2025, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2025 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 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 12 May 2025.
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 25 April 2025. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 25 April 2025, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
We have received an email expressing concern over the proposed downlisting of this species, citing extensive forest loss at Malosa, which is reported as nearly gone. While such degradation is concerning, the available evidence does not support listing the species as Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria.
Global Forest Watch data indicate a 21.6% decline in tree cover across the species’ range over the past 10 years—the relevant timeframe for this assessment. A substantial proportion of this loss occurred in 2024 on Mount Mulanje as a result of Cyclone Freddy, with significantly lower levels of loss recorded prior to this event. This suggests that the majority of deforestation at Malosa occurred outside the current assessment period. Consequently, there is insufficient evidence to support a population reduction exceeding 30% over the past 10 years, the threshold required for listing as Vulnerable under Criterion A, and the observed decline remains well below the >50% threshold for Endangered.
Although the species has a restricted Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy, it does not meet the subcriteria for listing under Criterion B. The population is not severely fragmented as per IUCN guidelines, which require >50% of individuals to occur in unviable subpopulations. While the loss of Malosa may reduce the number of locations (defined as areas where a single threatening event could rapidly affect all individuals), the total number is not likely to be 10 or less, as required under subcriteria B1a or B2a for Vulnerable. There is also no evidence of extreme fluctuations.
Under Criterion C, estimates from Mzumara et al. (2012) suggest the population on Mount Mulanje alone likely comprises 10,000 mature individuals or more, with the other two mountains therefore raising the total population size above the threshold (even if reduced due to forest loss). The largest subpopulation (Mount Mulanje) thus contains over 1,000 mature individuals and does not hold ≥90% of the global total. Therefore, the thresholds for C1 and C2 are not met.
Furthermore, the species utilises various habitats, including degraded forest, scrub and even invasive species such as Rubus ellipticus, indicating resilience to habitat modification.
Consequently, the species approaches threatened thresholds in multiple ways, but does not currently meet them under any criteria. The apparent loss of the species from part of the range is a serious concern, and ongoing forest conversion is likely to affect the species, even if it will use disturbed habitat as it does need forest nearby. Careful monitoring of the population remains very important, despite the data indicating that it is not currently eligible to be listed as threatened.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 4 May 2025, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2025 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 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 12 May 2025.