Phedina - Status

Status

Until 2008 the Brazza's Martin was classified as Data Deficient because there had been so little ornithological research in this part of Africa, but a 2007 paper presented evidence that extended its known range by 500 km (300 mi) to the north and 175 km (90 mi) southwards, a quadrupling of the area. It has a large range of 402,000 km2 (155,000 sq mi) although the total population is unknown. Its extensive range and apparently stable population means this bird is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is likely that this species is dug out for food by humans, but its small, dispersed colonies in firm soil suggests that it is a less rewarding target than the densely packed sandbank nests of species such as the African River Martin and Rosy Bee-eater.

The breeding range of the Mascarene Martin is restricted to three islands. Madagascar has an area of 592,800 km2 (228,900 sq mi), but the next largest island, Réunion, is just 2,512 km2 (790 km2). Although this bird has a limited range, it is abundant on Mauritius and Réunion, and locally common in Madagascar. The population is unknown, but exceeds the vulnerability threshold of 10,000 mature individuals and is believed to be stable. This martin is therefore also classed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Both species may be affected by poor weather. Breeding colonies of Brazza's Martins in river sandbars are liable to flooding, but this does not appear to be having a serious impact, and this species appears to be under no immediate threat. Its ability to use degraded habitats also aids its survival. Tropical cyclones present a threat to the Mascarene Martin, particularly on the small islands inhabited by the nominate subspecies. The populations on Mauritius and Réunion were badly affected by a six-day cyclone in February 1861, taking many years to recover, but by about 1900 it was reported to be common but local, and in 1973–4 there were 200–400 pairs on Réunion and 70–75 pairs in Mauritius. More recent cyclones, like one in 1980, seem to have had less damaging effects than the 1861 storm. Several species have been lost from the Mascarene islands since human colonisation in the seventeenth century, but the martin and the Mascarene Swiftlet occur on all the main islands, and are less vulnerable to the effects of human activities, especially since they can utilise houses for nest sites.

The Brazza's Martin is not a protected species in Angola, the DRC, or the Republic of Congo. In Mauritius, the Mascarene Martin is legally protected as a "Species of wildlife in respect of which more severe penalties are provided", although Madagascar and the African mainland countries have no special measures for this species beyond general bird protection legislation. Réunion is an overseas department of France, but the Birds Directive does not apply outside Europe, so there is no bird protection legislation effective on the island, despite the possibility that EU agricultural and other funding may be adversely affecting birds and vulnerable habitats.