Psittrichas fulgidus

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	PSITTACIFORMES	PSITTACIDAE

Scientific Name:

Psittrichas fulgidus

Species Authority:

(Lesson, 1830)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Pesquet's Parrot
Spanish	–	Loro Aguileño

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Bird, J., Butchart, S. & Dutson, G.

Contributor/s:

Beehler, B. & Bishop, K.

Justification:
Tthis species is classified as Vulnerable as it is suspected to be undergoing a rapid population decline over three generations (60 years) owing to hunting for feathers.

History:

2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable
1988	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Psittrichas fulgidus is patchily distributed across New Guinea (Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea). It has been historically and recently extirpated from large areas, especially in Papua New Guinea^1,3,5,8. It is generally rare and seen in small numbers (birds are wide-ranging)¹¹, and has shown recent rapid declines in some areas such as Ok Tedi^3,6. The only population estimate is based on two pairs inhabiting 14 km² at Crater Mountain. Extrapolation suggests a total population of 21,000 pairs⁸. However, this may have been an overestimate as the Crater Mountain birds sometimes foraged elsewhere, the species is atypically common at this site and is absent from many hunted areas⁸. Conversely, it may be an underestimate by not accounting for substantial populations at lower altitudes².
Countries:	Native: Indonesia; Papua New Guinea
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Pryor et al. (2001).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is restricted to hill and lower montane forest^2,8. At lower altitudes it appears to occur only in hills and at the base of mountains^2,4,7. It is an extremely specialised frugivore, feeding only on a very few species of fig, and is probably seasonally nomadic. It nests in large, hollow trees and may have a lifespan of 20-40 years⁸.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The major threat is hunting for feathers^1,5,8, which are used for ornamentation, particularly in ceremonial head-dresses, in much of the Papua New Guinea Highlands and, in some areas, for skins, which are used as bride prices¹⁰. Demand is increasing as the population grows and tourist shows and cultural events increase. Although demand is generally lower in Papua, birds are also hunted for the cage-bird trade and meat^3,9. Nestlings are captured by felling trees or enlarging nest-cavities, and the scarcity of suitable nest-sites could become a limiting factor. Deforestation is a less major threat to the species since loggers usually leave fig trees¹¹.

Major Threat(s):

The major threat is hunting for feathers^1,5,8, which are used for ornamentation, particularly in ceremonial head-dresses, in much of the Papua New Guinea Highlands and, in some areas, for skins, which are used as bride prices¹⁰. Demand is increasing as the population grows and tourist shows and cultural events increase. Although demand is generally lower in Papua, birds are also hunted for the cage-bird trade and meat^3,9. Nestlings are captured by felling trees or enlarging nest-cavities, and the scarcity of suitable nest-sites could become a limiting factor. Deforestation is a less major threat to the species since loggers usually leave fig trees¹¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. The Crater Mountain study have published conservation recommendations⁸. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys to improve the accuracy of the population estimate. Research the species's basic ecology, especially any feeding specialism. Research the feather trade. Monitor numbers at surveyed sites such as Crater Mountain and Kikori. Monitor numbers traded domestically and internationally. Control transport of threatened species on domestic flights. Run an education programme to dissuade tourists from buying feathers and artefacts. Investigate suitability of a programme to substitute artificial or dyed feathers⁸.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The Crater Mountain study have published conservation recommendations⁸.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to improve the accuracy of the population estimate. Research the species's basic ecology, especially any feeding specialism. Research the feather trade. Monitor numbers at surveyed sites such as Crater Mountain and Kikori. Monitor numbers traded domestically and internationally. Control transport of threatened species on domestic flights. Run an education programme to dissuade tourists from buying feathers and artefacts. Investigate suitability of a programme to substitute artificial or dyed feathers⁸.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Psittrichas fulgidus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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