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Charmosyna diadema

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA AVES PSITTACIFORMES PSITTACIDAE

Scientific Name: Charmosyna diadema
Species Authority: (Verreaux & Des Murs, 1860)
Common Name/s:
English – New Caledonian Lorikeet
Spanish – Lori Diadema

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered   D   ver 3.1
Year Published: 2010
Assessor/s: BirdLife International
Reviewer/s: Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.
Contributor/s: Rouys, S., Theuerkauf, J., Chartendrault, V., Spaggiari, J.
Justification:
This species has not been recorded with certainty since 1913, despite specific searches in 1998, and it may have declined as a result of a number of putative threats. However, it cannot be assumed to have gone Extinct, because there were local reports in the 1950s and in 1976, and lorikeets in this genus are notoriously difficult to detect, being unobtrusive and nomadic, so further surveys are required. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

History:
2009 – Critically Endangered
2008 – Critically Endangered
2004 – Critically Endangered
2000 – Critically Endangered
1996 – Endangered
1994 – Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: Charmosyna diadema is known from two specimens collected in 1859, and another collected, but not preserved, in 1913 on New Caledonia (to France)3,7. The first specimens are from an unknown locality and the 1913 record from "the forests behind Oubatche" which corresponds to Mt Ignambi. There are unconfirmed reports from the 1880s to the 1920s5,8, and an experienced forester reported two birds in 1953 or 1954 in the central mountains and again in 1976, west of Mt Panié8. However, in 1998 there were no records during several months of specific searching, including on Mt Ignambi2,9.

Countries:
Native:
New Caledonia
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with no reports since 1976, despite recent searches in 1998.

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: The earliest reports were that it inhabited forest and occasionally fed in Erythrina trees5. The 1953-1954 and 1976 reports were from Melaleuca savanna/humid forest ecotone, while the 1920s report was from low scrubland3,8. Most closely-related species are nomadic and occur primarily in montane forest, but range into lowland forests, for which they may have a seasonal dependence3.

Systems: Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): Montane humid forest is not under threat, but it is possible that this species has a requirement for other habitats, some of which, notably lowland semi-deciduous forests, have nearly disappeared from the island2,9. Several Charmosyna lorikeets have undergone severe population declines or fluctuations of unknown cause3. It is possible that introduced disease (such as avian malaria) or more likely mammals (notably rats) may have been a cause of decline1,2,9.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The Mt Panié massif, one of the most likely sites where it may still occur, is a floral reserve where the habitat is protected but hunting is permitted4. Two recent conservation reviews have recommended that this reserve is upgraded to a special faunal and floral reserve and also extended to include Mts Colnett and Ignambi to the north as one contiguous forest block2,6. No new records were obtained during 500 man-days of bird censuses between 2002 and 2007. A total of 120 locals interviewed between 2003 and 2006 did not provide any credible reports. Funds have been attained to carry on the search until 2011.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey, if cost effective, other suitable mountains, particularly in the north-east and the Bokoua massif2. Publicise the search for this species among forest workers and villagers2 through the "Wanted" campaign to maximise reactivity of the unofficial observer network. Advocate upgrading and extension of Mt Panié floral reserve2,9.

Bibliography [top]

Bregulla, H. L. 1992. Birds of Vanuatu. Anthony Nelson, Oswestry, U.K.

Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Isherwood, I. 2000. The humid forests of New Caledonia: biological research and conservation recommendations for the vertebrate fauna of Grande Terre. CSB Conservation Publications, Cambridge, U.K.

Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Tobias, J.; Dutson, G.; Barre, N. 2002. New information on the distribution, status and conservation of terrestrial bird species in Grande Terre, New Caledonia. Emu 102: 197-207.

Forshaw, J. M.; Cooper, W. T. 1989. Parrots of the world. Blandford Press, London.

Jaffré, T.; Bouchet, P.; Veillon, J. 1998. Threatened plants of New Caledonia: is the system of protected areas adequate? Biodiversity and Conservation 7(1): 109-135.

Layard, E. L.; Layard, E. L. C. 1882. Notes on the avifauna of New Caledonia, a catalogue of the birds of the island with remarks by the Rev. Canon Tristram. Ibis 4th Ser. Vol. 6: 493-546.

Maruia/CI. 1998. Conserving biodiversity in Province Nord, New Caledonia. Conservation International and Maruia Society, Washington, DC.

Sarasin, F. 1913. Die Vogel Neu-Caledoniens und der Loyalty Inseln. Nova Caledonia, Zoologie 1: 1-78.

Stokes, T. 1980. Notes on the landbirds of New Caledonia. Emu 80: 81-86.
Citation: BirdLife International 2010. Charmosyna diadema. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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