Gallicolumba erythroptera

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	COLUMBIFORMES	COLUMBIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gallicolumba erythroptera

Species Authority:

(Gmelin, 1789)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Polynesian Ground-dove, Polynesian Ground Dove, Polynesian Ground-Dove, Society Islands Ground-dove, White-collared Ground-dove

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Gouni, A., Blanvillain, C., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species has a very small population, fragmented into extremely small subpopulations, on tiny wooded islets. Its extinction from several islands indicates an overall decline, which is likely to continue owing to predation by rats and cats, habitat loss and deterioration, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and severe storms. For these reasons it qualifies as Critically Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Gallicolumba erythroptera formerly occurred in the Society Islands and throughout the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. There are also fossil records from the Southern Cook Islands⁶. Race erythroptera is known from Tahiti and Moorea in the Society Islands (now extinct) and from the southern Acteon Group in the Tuamotus, while race pectoralis is known from the central and northern Tuamotus (possibly extinct)³. Recent records include Matureivavao (not numerous in 1968, apparently surviving in 1987 according to local people, but not found in 1999)^1,2 and two forested islets in Rangiroa Atoll (12-20 birds in 1990-1991, with 11 there in 2010; perhaps a separate subspecies or colour morph of pectoralis⁴). In 2005, a rat eradication was conducted on one of Rangiroa's motus (small islands) and follow-up surveys in 2006 found 9 doves in the atoll, including one male on the rat-free island^8,11. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 further expeditions to Rangiroa and another motu took place to assess the impact of rat eradication efforts, carry out further eradication work and survey for the species^16,17; it is hoped that the species's population occurring on these small islands will begin to expand^10,11. In 1999, a small population (minimum of 16-30 birds) was found on Tenararo, but it was not seen on a further seven islands^1,2. A 2003 expedition to remote islands in the Tuamotu archipelago discovered a new population of the species on Morane, doubling the known global population to around 100-120 birds^7,11. In 2007, three birds were seen on Vahanga (nearest island from Tenararo) but no nests were discovered¹⁰. A report by a local inhabitant of a unknown bird on Tikehau atoll, which was later identified as G. erythroptera, is to be investigated¹⁷.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Gouni et al. (2005), Gouni et al. (2007).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Gouni et al. (2005), Gouni et al. (2007).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It favours primary forest of Pandanus tectorius and Pisonia grandis on atolls with herbs, shrubs and ferns or dense shrubs^1,2. It has a varied diet, including caterpillars and other insects, seeds, green leaves, buds and fruit^1,2. Most recently, it was present in dense shrubs under coconut trees (planted in 1977 and never managed or harvested)¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It was formerly caught by local people for food but it is more likely that the introduction of cats and rats, particularly black rat Rattus rattus, are the real reasons for its decline^3,10,11,12. Habitat loss is also likely to have been a factor as the largest atolls with the richest vegetation have been cleared for coconut plantations⁴.

Major Threat(s):

It was formerly caught by local people for food but it is more likely that the introduction of cats and rats, particularly black rat Rattus rattus, are the real reasons for its decline^3,10,11,12. Habitat loss is also likely to have been a factor as the largest atolls with the richest vegetation have been cleared for coconut plantations⁴.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Expeditions in June and October 1999 surveyed eight islands of Matureivavao and Tenararo. Follow-up work, including further surveys, rat eradication and captive breeding, took place in 2001. Since then, a successful rat eradication was completed on one island of Rangiroa atoll and now others are proposed with planning by the Société d'Ornthologie de Polynésie "Manu". As part of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions programme Manu are currently^14,16,17: working to eradicate rats from a further four motu in the Rangiroa Atoll, enabling the ground-dove to re-colonise from neighbouring islets; revising and updating the Species Action Plan; raising awareness through education and signage and providing support for land owners to manage tourist visits in order to prevent rat re-establishment on the rat-free islets of Rangiroa; supporting and advocating the development of protected areas for Rangiroa, Morane and Tenararo; planning fieldwork to colour-ring the population and undertake enhanced monitoring to assess productivity and adult survival (the Rangiroa population will be monitored annually, whilst the populations on Morane and Tenararo will be visited when transport is available) and continuing genetic studies on all three populations; and raising awareness through educational activities and working to develop a Site Support Group (SSG). Only a single bird remains in captivity in Tahiti. There is a proposed recovery programme for Vahanga including the eradication of Rattus exulans¹⁵. In 2010, there were plans for further monitoring expeditions, the creation of a database of ringed individuals, and a study into the feasibility of rat eradication on all islets from Matatahi to Hararu¹⁷. Efforts to garner public support for rat eradication efforts throughout Rangiroa are likely to continue¹⁷. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct further surveys in the central Tuamotus and Acteon group, including showing pictures to local people^1,2,5. Study the remaining wild population on Tenararo, e.g. feeding and breeding behaviour^1,2. Study habitat requirements to assess whether habitat restoration can be carried out on Rangiroa¹⁶. Protect Tenararo from the introduction of predators (especially R. rattus) and human disturbance^1,2. Identify suitable islands in the Acteon group for translocation, either rat- and cat-free or where eradication is possible, and support similar initiatives in Rangiroa atoll^1,2,5. Gain the support of local people for rat eradication throughout Rangiroa¹⁷.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Expeditions in June and October 1999 surveyed eight islands of Matureivavao and Tenararo. Follow-up work, including further surveys, rat eradication and captive breeding, took place in 2001. Since then, a successful rat eradication was completed on one island of Rangiroa atoll and now others are proposed with planning by the Société d'Ornthologie de Polynésie "Manu". As part of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions programme Manu are currently^14,16,17: working to eradicate rats from a further four motu in the Rangiroa Atoll, enabling the ground-dove to re-colonise from neighbouring islets; revising and updating the Species Action Plan; raising awareness through education and signage and providing support for land owners to manage tourist visits in order to prevent rat re-establishment on the rat-free islets of Rangiroa; supporting and advocating the development of protected areas for Rangiroa, Morane and Tenararo; planning fieldwork to colour-ring the population and undertake enhanced monitoring to assess productivity and adult survival (the Rangiroa population will be monitored annually, whilst the populations on Morane and Tenararo will be visited when transport is available) and continuing genetic studies on all three populations; and raising awareness through educational activities and working to develop a Site Support Group (SSG). Only a single bird remains in captivity in Tahiti. There is a proposed recovery programme for Vahanga including the eradication of Rattus exulans¹⁵. In 2010, there were plans for further monitoring expeditions, the creation of a database of ringed individuals, and a study into the feasibility of rat eradication on all islets from Matatahi to Hararu¹⁷. Efforts to garner public support for rat eradication efforts throughout Rangiroa are likely to continue¹⁷.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys in the central Tuamotus and Acteon group, including showing pictures to local people^1,2,5. Study the remaining wild population on Tenararo, e.g. feeding and breeding behaviour^1,2. Study habitat requirements to assess whether habitat restoration can be carried out on Rangiroa¹⁶. Protect Tenararo from the introduction of predators (especially R. rattus) and human disturbance^1,2. Identify suitable islands in the Acteon group for translocation, either rat- and cat-free or where eradication is possible, and support similar initiatives in Rangiroa atoll^1,2,5. Gain the support of local people for rat eradication throughout Rangiroa¹⁷.

Bibliography [top]

	BirdLife International. 2008. Species Guardian Action Update: November 2008: Polynesian Ground-dove Gallicolumba erythroptera. Available at: #http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/pdfs/Polynesian_Ground-dove_Guardian_Action_Update_Nov08.pdf#. Blanvillain, C.; Florent, C.; Thenot, V. 2002. Land birds of Tuamotu Archipelago, Polynesia: relative abundance and changes during the 20th century with particular reference to the critically endangered Polynesian Ground-dove (Gallicolumba erythroptera). Biological Conservation 103: 139-149. Gouni, A.; Blanc, L.; Barrau-Juin, C.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P. 2004. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société (Gallicolumba erythropera). Gouni, A.; Blanc, L.; Gaugne, S.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P.; Lau, N. 2005. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société, Gallicolumba erythroptera. Gouni, A.; Durieux, J.; Piquemal, D.; Albar, G.; Blanc, L.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P.; Lau, N. 2007. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe erythroptère, Gallicolumba erythroptera. Gouni, A.; Zysman, T. 2007. Oiseaux du Fenua: Tahiti et ses îles. Téthys Éditions, Tahiti. Holyoak, D. T.; Thibault, J. -C. 1984. Contribution à l'étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle - Serie A: Zoologie 127: 1-209. Monnet, C.; Sandford, L.; Siu, P.; Thibault, J.-C.; Varney, A. 1993. Polynesian Ground Dove (Gallicolumba erythroptera) discovered at Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Islands (Polynesia). Notornis 40: 128-130. Pierce, R.; Boudjelas, S.; Broome, K.; Cox, A.; Denny, C.;, Gouni, A.; Raust, P. 2006. Ecological restoration of Vahanga Atoll, Acteon Group, Tuamotu Archipelago: operational plan. Pierce, R.; Raust, P.; Wragg, G. 2003. Reports from an avifauna survey of atolls in the Tuamotu and Austa Archipelagos, French Polynesia, March 2003. Raust, P.; Sanford, G.; Blanc, L. 2006. Les Gallicolombes de Rangiroa. Te Manu 54: 5. Salducci, J.-M.; Raust, P.; Levy, P. 2003. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société (Gallicolumba erythropera). SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999. Steadman, D. W. 1989. Extinctions of birds in Eastern Polynesia: a review of the records and comparisons with other Pacific Island Groups. Journal of Archaeological Science 16: 177-205.

BirdLife International. 2008. Species Guardian Action Update: November 2008: Polynesian Ground-dove Gallicolumba erythroptera. Available at: #http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/pdfs/Polynesian_Ground-dove_Guardian_Action_Update_Nov08.pdf#.

Blanvillain, C.; Florent, C.; Thenot, V. 2002. Land birds of Tuamotu Archipelago, Polynesia: relative abundance and changes during the 20th century with particular reference to the critically endangered Polynesian Ground-dove (Gallicolumba erythroptera). Biological Conservation 103: 139-149.

Gouni, A.; Blanc, L.; Barrau-Juin, C.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P. 2004. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société (Gallicolumba erythropera).

Gouni, A.; Blanc, L.; Gaugne, S.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P.; Lau, N. 2005. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société, Gallicolumba erythroptera.

Gouni, A.; Durieux, J.; Piquemal, D.; Albar, G.; Blanc, L.; Gfeller, H.; Levy, P.; Lau, N. 2007. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe erythroptère, Gallicolumba erythroptera.

Gouni, A.; Zysman, T. 2007. Oiseaux du Fenua: Tahiti et ses îles. Téthys Éditions, Tahiti.

Holyoak, D. T.; Thibault, J. -C. 1984. Contribution à l'étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle - Serie A: Zoologie 127: 1-209.

Monnet, C.; Sandford, L.; Siu, P.; Thibault, J.-C.; Varney, A. 1993. Polynesian Ground Dove (Gallicolumba erythroptera) discovered at Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Islands (Polynesia). Notornis 40: 128-130.

Pierce, R.; Boudjelas, S.; Broome, K.; Cox, A.; Denny, C.;, Gouni, A.; Raust, P. 2006. Ecological restoration of Vahanga Atoll, Acteon Group, Tuamotu Archipelago: operational plan.

Pierce, R.; Raust, P.; Wragg, G. 2003. Reports from an avifauna survey of atolls in the Tuamotu and Austa Archipelagos, French Polynesia, March 2003.

Raust, P.; Sanford, G.; Blanc, L. 2006. Les Gallicolombes de Rangiroa. Te Manu 54: 5.

Salducci, J.-M.; Raust, P.; Levy, P. 2003. Programme de conservation de la Gallicolombe de la Société (Gallicolumba erythropera).

SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999.

Steadman, D. W. 1989. Extinctions of birds in Eastern Polynesia: a review of the records and comparisons with other Pacific Island Groups. Journal of Archaeological Science 16: 177-205.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Gallicolumba erythroptera. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided