Todiramphus ruficollaris

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	CORACIIFORMES	ALCEDINIDAE

Scientific Name:

Todiramphus ruficollaris

Species Authority:

(Holyoak, 1974)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Cook Islands Kingfisher, Mangaia Kingfisher, Mewing Kingfisher

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D1+2 ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

McCormack, G., Pilgrim, J., Karika, I.

Justification:
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small population and is confined to just one island, where, although it is subject to a variety of threats, its population appears to be stable. If any decline is suspected, Critically Endangered status may be warranted.

History:

2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Todiramphus ruficollaris is endemic to Mangaia, Cook Islands, where in the early 1980s it was reported to be declining³. In 1992-1993, the population was estimated at 250-450 birds, with c.50% concentrated in the north-west and an important population in the east⁵. In 1996, the population was estimated at 400-700 birds using a different method¹. In 1997, numbers appeared to be broadly similar², consequently, the population was assumed to be stable; surveys conducted since, though not directly comparable, indicate that this is still true.
Countries:	Native: Cook Islands
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Baker et al. (1996), Kelly and Bottomley (1998).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits forest growing on the makatea (an encircling, raised coral limestone platform), preferring continuous forest canopy, and is found in highest densities in relatively unaltered tracts, although it also occurs in mature secondary forest and forest patches⁵. It feeds on insects, grubs, cockroaches and spiders, with lizards forming an important part of the diet^4,6. It nests in tree-cavities (preferring coconut and barringtonia Barringtonia asiatica). The clutch-size is 2-3^4,6.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits forest growing on the makatea (an encircling, raised coral limestone platform), preferring continuous forest canopy, and is found in highest densities in relatively unaltered tracts, although it also occurs in mature secondary forest and forest patches⁵. It feeds on insects, grubs, cockroaches and spiders, with lizards forming an important part of the diet^4,6. It nests in tree-cavities (preferring coconut and barringtonia Barringtonia asiatica). The clutch-size is 2-3^4,6.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The introduced Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (numbering c.9,000 birds), found in villages, horticultural areas, secondary forest and small forest tracts, competes for food and harasses breeding birds causing nest failure^5,10. However the kingfisher is unextpectedly common in disturbed habitat where the Myna is abundant¹⁰. In a recent study of 10 kingfisher nests in disturbed forest 11 young were raised from seven nests; Mynas were the cause of failure in one nest and were thought responsible for the failure of the other two¹⁰. Cats and rats, both Pacific rat Rattus exulans and black rat R. rattus, are present in all forest-types (particularly prevalent in areas with a high abundance of coconut trees) and are potential predators^1,5. Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamis taitensis, a winter migrant from New Zealand, may also predate eggs and chicks⁵. Clearance for agriculture and browsing by goats cause habitat loss and forest fragmentation⁵. Pigs affect forest regeneration⁵. Human disturbance may have an impact on birds in the south-west⁵.

Major Threat(s):

The introduced Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (numbering c.9,000 birds), found in villages, horticultural areas, secondary forest and small forest tracts, competes for food and harasses breeding birds causing nest failure^5,10. However the kingfisher is unextpectedly common in disturbed habitat where the Myna is abundant¹⁰. In a recent study of 10 kingfisher nests in disturbed forest 11 young were raised from seven nests; Mynas were the cause of failure in one nest and were thought responsible for the failure of the other two¹⁰. Cats and rats, both Pacific rat Rattus exulans and black rat R. rattus, are present in all forest-types (particularly prevalent in areas with a high abundance of coconut trees) and are potential predators^1,5. Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamis taitensis, a winter migrant from New Zealand, may also predate eggs and chicks⁵. Clearance for agriculture and browsing by goats cause habitat loss and forest fragmentation⁵. Pigs affect forest regeneration⁵. Human disturbance may have an impact on birds in the south-west⁵.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In 1996, a baseline survey and vegetation and rat-trapping studies were conducted. In 1997, this was followed by the first simple census using the Distance Sampling method, and it is hoped that this method will be adopted by a local annual monitoring programme². The feasibility of the eradication of Common Myna from the island was assessed in 2006, it was concluded that it was possible, at a cost of NZ$100,000⁹. A detailed study of nesting success in an area where mynas were abundant was started in 2006¹⁰. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct further research to determine population trends in the different areas of the island and requirements for long-term survival⁵. Conduct a detailed study of nesting success⁶. Monitor the population by surveying birds in secondary forest (due to its accessibility)¹. Provide nest-sites in appropriate places⁷. Encourage habitat preservation and augment habitat⁷. Eradicate A. tristis^7,9. Consider controlling cats and rats Rattus spp. Make this species an emblem for conservation on Mangaia to engender pride in the species, help prevent deforestation and reduce disturbance of birds and their habitat by people, goats and pigs.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In 1996, a baseline survey and vegetation and rat-trapping studies were conducted. In 1997, this was followed by the first simple census using the Distance Sampling method, and it is hoped that this method will be adopted by a local annual monitoring programme². The feasibility of the eradication of Common Myna from the island was assessed in 2006, it was concluded that it was possible, at a cost of NZ$100,000⁹. A detailed study of nesting success in an area where mynas were abundant was started in 2006¹⁰.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further research to determine population trends in the different areas of the island and requirements for long-term survival⁵. Conduct a detailed study of nesting success⁶. Monitor the population by surveying birds in secondary forest (due to its accessibility)¹. Provide nest-sites in appropriate places⁷. Encourage habitat preservation and augment habitat⁷. Eradicate A. tristis^7,9. Consider controlling cats and rats Rattus spp. Make this species an emblem for conservation on Mangaia to engender pride in the species, help prevent deforestation and reduce disturbance of birds and their habitat by people, goats and pigs.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Todiramphus ruficollaris. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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