The Bannerman's Weaver (Ploceus bannermani) is a small passerine bird species endemic to the montane regions of the Bamenda Mountains in Cameroon and the Obudu and Mambilla Plateau in Nigeria (Fry et al., 2004; BirdLife International, 2024). These birds primarily inhabit dense, moist forests and forest edges, feeding on insects, seeds, and fruits. However, their population has declined significantly, estimated recently to be between 30% and 49%, largely due to habitat loss from anthropogenic activities such as agricultural clearance, grazing, firewood collection, and timber extraction (BirdLife International, 2024; IUCN, 2024). As a result of this decline, the species is now classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (BirdLife International, 2024; IUCN, 2024). The IUCN continues to report a steady decline in mature individuals, citing a lack of recovery plans and systematic monitoring schemes (IUCN, 2024).

Our project aims to address this gap by initiating a systematic monitoring scheme to provide a detailed assessment of the population and associated risk factors. Human activities are driving a rapid mass extinction process worldwide, profoundly affecting ecosystem processes and services (Ceballos et al., 2015; Sandifer et al., 2015). Changes in land use and global warming are primary causes of biodiversity decline (Newbold et al., 2015; Urban, 2015), and the Mambilla Plateau is not immune to these threats. Increasing agricultural activities, logging, and wood harvesting have caused significant habitat loss on the plateau. While forest fires are a major cause of habitat loss in Cameroon, such as the burning of approximately 500 hectares of forest around Lake Oku in March 2000 (J. DeMarco, in litt. 2000). The Nigerian population is most affected by anthropogenic activities like logging (Barsherp & Manu, 2013).