Ducula aurorae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	COLUMBIFORMES	COLUMBIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ducula aurorae

Species Authority:

(Peale, 1848)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Polynesian Imperial-pigeon, Polynesian Imperial Pigeon, Polynesian Imperial-Pigeon, Society Islands Pigeon

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Thibault, J., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small population, and almost certainly only now occurs on only one very small island. Although it may currently be increasing there owing to a cessation of hunting, it has a very small population and could decline rapidly in the near future owing to habitat destruction, or if Swamp Harrier Circus approximans colonises the island.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Ducula aurorae is known from Tahiti in the Society Islands and Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. On Tahiti, it may already be extinct, it was restricted to the Papeno`o and Hitia`a valleys in 1986-1990², but none were reported in 1998 and in 2006 it was considered unlikely to persist^7,11. On Makatea, the population was judged to lie between 100 and 500 individuals in 1986-1987, but may now be increasing slightly following a reduction in hunting; ^9,11. There are also fossil records indicating that it was once more widespread, including in the Southern Cook Islands⁶.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Thibault and Guyot (1987)
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Though the species was formerly found only in dense forest, where it feeds on fruit from a variety of native and introduced trees, it has recently spread into secondary habitats and even gardens^1,3.,7,9,11. It is now an important seed disperser on Makeata, accelerating the spread of native forest into areas which had been mined¹¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	On Makatea, much of its habitat was destroyed during the period 1917-1964, as a result of phospate mining, however it is now spreading as vegetation recovers and hunting is reduced ^4,9,11. A proposed runway and associated road and infrastructure development is likely to lead to renewed deforestation¹¹. Predation by introduced cats and rats (particularly black rat Rattus rattus) may be a problem², although the species has coexisted with rats for several decades¹⁰. On Moorea, Tahiti and other formerly inhabited islands, its extinction may have been the consequence of the spread through the Society Islands of the Swamp Harrier Circus approximans^1,5,8,11. This species continues to spread throughout the region, and its arrival on Makatea would be disastrous for the Polynesian Imperial-pigeon¹¹.

Major Threat(s):

On Makatea, much of its habitat was destroyed during the period 1917-1964, as a result of phospate mining, however it is now spreading as vegetation recovers and hunting is reduced ^4,9,11. A proposed runway and associated road and infrastructure development is likely to lead to renewed deforestation¹¹. Predation by introduced cats and rats (particularly black rat Rattus rattus) may be a problem², although the species has coexisted with rats for several decades¹⁰. On Moorea, Tahiti and other formerly inhabited islands, its extinction may have been the consequence of the spread through the Society Islands of the Swamp Harrier Circus approximans^1,5,8,11. This species continues to spread throughout the region, and its arrival on Makatea would be disastrous for the Polynesian Imperial-pigeon¹¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway On Tahiti, a year-long study in 1998 collected information from the inhabitants of the valleys where it was last recorded^7,10. Conservation Actions Proposed On Makatea, resurvey the population⁴ in order to assess both numbers and distribution within primary and regenerating forest. On Tahiti, conduct field surveys to confirm its extirpation. Ensure C. approximans does not become established on Makeata by developing a reporting system for residents. Eradicate C. approximans from Tahiti and the Society Islands to prevent it spreading to Makatea. Oppose plans for a large runway on Makatea, support instead plans for a smaller runway. Consider captive breeding and reintroduction to Tahiti.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
On Tahiti, a year-long study in 1998 collected information from the inhabitants of the valleys where it was last recorded^7,10.

Conservation Actions Proposed
On Makatea, resurvey the population⁴ in order to assess both numbers and distribution within primary and regenerating forest. On Tahiti, conduct field surveys to confirm its extirpation. Ensure C. approximans does not become established on Makeata by developing a reporting system for residents. Eradicate C. approximans from Tahiti and the Society Islands to prevent it spreading to Makatea. Oppose plans for a large runway on Makatea, support instead plans for a smaller runway. Consider captive breeding and reintroduction to Tahiti.

Bibliography [top]

	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.; Thibault, J.; Varney, A. 1993. Stability and changes during the twentieth century in the breeding landbirds of Tahiti (Polynesia). Bird Conservation International 3: 261-280. Pratt, H. D.; Bruner, P. L.; Berrett, D. G. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, Princeton. Seitre, R.; Seitre, J. 1991. Causes de disparition des oiseaux terrestres de Polynésie Française. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Nouméa. 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. Thibault, J. -C. 1988. Menaces et conservation des oiseaux de Polynésie Française. In: Thibault, J.-C.; Guyot, I. (ed.), Livre rouge des oiseaux menacés des régions françaises d'outre-mer, pp. 87-124. Conseil International pour la Protection des Oiseaux, Saint-Cloud. Thibault, J.-C.; Cibois, A. 2006. Une situation favorable pour le Rupe de Makatea. Te Manu 54: 2-3. Thibault, J. -C.; Guyot, I. 1987. Recent changes in the avifauna of Makatea Island (Tuamotus, Central Pacific). Atoll Research Bulletin 300: 1-13.

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.; Thibault, J.; Varney, A. 1993. Stability and changes during the twentieth century in the breeding landbirds of Tahiti (Polynesia). Bird Conservation International 3: 261-280.

Pratt, H. D.; Bruner, P. L.; Berrett, D. G. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Seitre, R.; Seitre, J. 1991. Causes de disparition des oiseaux terrestres de Polynésie Française. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Nouméa.

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.

Thibault, J. -C. 1988. Menaces et conservation des oiseaux de Polynésie Française. In: Thibault, J.-C.; Guyot, I. (ed.), Livre rouge des oiseaux menacés des régions françaises d'outre-mer, pp. 87-124. Conseil International pour la Protection des Oiseaux, Saint-Cloud.

Thibault, J.-C.; Cibois, A. 2006. Une situation favorable pour le Rupe de Makatea. Te Manu 54: 2-3.

Thibault, J. -C.; Guyot, I. 1987. Recent changes in the avifauna of Makatea Island (Tuamotus, Central Pacific). Atoll Research Bulletin 300: 1-13.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Ducula aurorae. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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