Todiramphus gambieri

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 gambieri

Species Authority:

(Oustalet, 1895)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Mangareva Kingfisher, Tuamotu Kingfisher

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gouni, A., Kesler, D., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species is listed as Critically Endangered because it is restricted to an extremely small range on a single island, within which the quality of habitat has been reduced as cyclones have caused the loss of suitable nesting trees. Any potential change in land management within this tiny range could prove catastrophic for the species.

History:

2010	–	Critically Endangered
2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2005	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Vulnerable
2001	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Todiramphus gambieri is confined to the island of Niau in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, where the race niauensis was represented by 400-600 birds in 1974, and reported as common in 1990; the nominate gambieri having become extinct on Mangareva, Gambier Islands, probably prior to 1922^2,4,5. Surveys in 2003 and 2004 estimated the total population as 39-51 individuals, significantly lower than previously supposed^7,8, but surveys in 2006-2008 suggested that the total population had remained relatively stable at around 125 individuals^10,11,12, with a slight increase to 135 individuals in 2009¹³. Translocations to the island of Anaa, in order to establish a second population, are now planned¹².
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Surveys in 2009 estimated 135 individuals (Gouni et al. 2009).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species prefers semi-open coconut plantation habitats^10,11, limestone forests, and cultivated areas around villages, and readily uses Niau's ephemeral wetlands and ocean coasts for foraging. Breeding is from September to January in nest cavities excavated from dead and decaying coconut palms. It feeds on insects (e.g. small coleoptera) and small lizards, and excavates nest-cavities in dead coconut trees (thus its choice of nest-site is limited)^2,9,10,11,. The main food source for chicks is lizards¹⁰.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species prefers semi-open coconut plantation habitats^10,11, limestone forests, and cultivated areas around villages, and readily uses Niau's ephemeral wetlands and ocean coasts for foraging. Breeding is from September to January in nest cavities excavated from dead and decaying coconut palms. It feeds on insects (e.g. small coleoptera) and small lizards, and excavates nest-cavities in dead coconut trees (thus its choice of nest-site is limited)^2,9,10,11,. The main food source for chicks is lizards¹⁰.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Competition for food resources with rats may pose a threat to the breeding success of this species^7,8,10,11, while the principal threat to young birds may be predation by feral cats^10,11: 25-50% of individuals are thought to disappear each year¹³. The removal of suitable nesting trees in 1984, following a hurricane in 1983, has reduced the availability of nesting sites^7,8,10,11.

Major Threat(s):

Competition for food resources with rats may pose a threat to the breeding success of this species^7,8,10,11, while the principal threat to young birds may be predation by feral cats^10,11: 25-50% of individuals are thought to disappear each year¹³. The removal of suitable nesting trees in 1984, following a hurricane in 1983, has reduced the availability of nesting sites^7,8,10,11.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Niau is included in the Fakarava Man and Biosphere Protected Area⁶. A project studying the species's ecology, behaviour and movements took place in 2006, 2007, and again in September-November 2008. The entire island was thoroughly surveyed for the birds, which were colour-ringed and radio-tagged to track movements, nesting success and survival. Additional genetic studies have taken place to evaluate heritage and genetic variability that may impact survival. Additionally, a cooperative program to protect nesting habitat was started with resident coconut farmers and an endangered species education program was initiated in the Niau primary school. An experimental translocation on Niau in 2010 proved successful, and the Gambier islands, Makatea and Anaa have been assessed for their suitability for a translocated population: translocations to Anaa, which was found to be most suitable, are now planned¹². Conservation Actions Proposed Research the impact of rats and cats on kingfisher survival and reproduction. Provide nest boxes to increase the availability of nest-sites⁸. Facilitate the establishment of a second supplementary population on Anaa through translocations^1,10,12.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Niau is included in the Fakarava Man and Biosphere Protected Area⁶. A project studying the species's ecology, behaviour and movements took place in 2006, 2007, and again in September-November 2008. The entire island was thoroughly surveyed for the birds, which were colour-ringed and radio-tagged to track movements, nesting success and survival. Additional genetic studies have taken place to evaluate heritage and genetic variability that may impact survival. Additionally, a cooperative program to protect nesting habitat was started with resident coconut farmers and an endangered species education program was initiated in the Niau primary school. An experimental translocation on Niau in 2010 proved successful, and the Gambier islands, Makatea and Anaa have been assessed for their suitability for a translocated population: translocations to Anaa, which was found to be most suitable, are now planned¹².

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research the impact of rats and cats on kingfisher survival and reproduction. Provide nest boxes to increase the availability of nest-sites⁸. Facilitate the establishment of a second supplementary population on Anaa through translocations^1,10,12.

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