Djibouti Francolin
The juniper francolin or Djibouti Francolin ( Francolinus ochropectus ) is a species of bird in the pheasant family -like. The species is endemic in Djibouti threatened by habitat destruction and especially of extinction.
Description
Juniper Frankoline, like all members of the genus quite plump, short-tailed, ground-dwelling flightless birds. They have a body length of about 35 cm. The top is solid gray-brown, only the neck is red-brown. The underside is brown spotted and dashed on a whitish ground vigorously. The beak is black and the legs are yellow green. The calls consist of a rattling " irk, irk, irk - kekekekekeke " backward sloping and with a giggling gargling ( chuckled gurgle ) ending.
Dissemination
The juniper francolin is endemic in Djibouti. He comes there only in two areas follows: In the approximately 15 -acre forest Forêt du Day and the Mabla Mountains. The area of the total area of distribution of the species is only about 610 km ². It inhabits primarily juniper forests 700-1500 m above sea level, but was found already in secondary forests and degraded forests.
Portfolio development and risk
Half of the suitable habitat in the Forêt du Day was destroyed between 1977 and 1983, the stock of juniper francolins decreased accordingly there 1978-1984 from 5,600 to 1,500 birds. In 1998, the stock was estimated there to 500-1000 birds. The size of the population in the Mabla Mountains is unknown. It is a total from a population decline of over 90% during the last 20 years. Main causes of decline are habitat destruction by overgrazing and by collecting firewood, besides also hunting plays a role. The species is classified since 1994 by the IUCN as threatened with extinction ( critically endangered ). A portion of the core area Forêt du Day was declared a national park in 1939, it remained without consequences and the National Park status is no longer recognized today. Other projects for the protection and environmental education were planned, but never materialized for various reasons. Recently, the area of the government was once again under protection, further measures are planned.