Ducula galeata

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	COLUMBIFORMES	COLUMBIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ducula galeata

Species Authority:

(Bonaparte, 1855)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Marquesan Imperial-pigeon, Marquesan Imperial Pigeon, Marquesan Imperial-Pigeon, Nukuhiva Imperial-pigeon

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Bird, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gouni, A., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species has a very small population, on two tiny islands, and owed its survival to the existence of several areas which are difficult to access by hunters and introduced grazers, and resistant to colonisation by rats. However, as a direct result of conservation action on Nuku Hiva and the translocation of birds to Ua Huka, it is now increasing slowly overall, The establishment of a second population has led to its downlisting to Endangered.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Ducula galeata is endemic to the Marquesas Islands and until 2000 was only known from Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia, where it is now restricted to valleys in the west and north of the island. In 1998, a maximum of 85 birds were seen and the population was estimated at c.250, distributed in small subpopulations between which the passage of individuals was not evaluated¹. Surveys between 2004 and 2006 found the population was apparently stable⁹. There is a late 18th century record from Tahiti in the Society Islands, and fossil evidence indicates that it once occurred on a further four islands in the Society and Marquesas Islands, and also in the Southern Cook Islands and Henderson in the Pitcairn Islands⁶, though this may be subject to revision: the bones attributed to this species may come from a different species at least on Henderson¹¹. A translocation programme began in 2000 to establish a second population on Ua Huka Island. This population increased by 28% in the 2005-2006 season and it is anticipated to reach 50 individuals by 2010⁹.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population on Nuku Hiva was estimated at 170 individuals in 2003, and has probably been stable since then (though perhaps slowly increasing due to better public awareness). The recently established population on Ua Huka has already increased to 32 individuals.
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is an arboreal species found in remote wooded valleys from 250-1,300 m and is also seen in secondary forest and at the edge of banana and orange plantations². It feeds on fruit from trees and shrubs, including large quantities of guava Psidium guajava³. It only lays one egg suggesting that it is long lived and any population increases would be slow and unclear for several years⁸.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Illegal hunting is the main concern¹, though following an awareness raising campaign this appears to have been reduced. Nevertheless poaching has the potential to rapidly reduce the small population and remains a potential threat⁹. Habitat has been modified and degraded by introduced vegetation and grazing by feral stock^1,4. However, cattle have been eradicated, and goats andpigs are decreasing¹. New roads and tunnels could result in habitat loss and facilitate access and considerable disturbance, although there is currently little traffic¹. Introduced rats (particularly black rat Rattus rattus), cats Felis cattus, pigs Sus scrofa, goats Capra hircus and cattle Bos taurus are all common on Nuku Hiva and likely constitute a threat^4,10.

Major Threat(s):

Illegal hunting is the main concern¹, though following an awareness raising campaign this appears to have been reduced. Nevertheless poaching has the potential to rapidly reduce the small population and remains a potential threat⁹. Habitat has been modified and degraded by introduced vegetation and grazing by feral stock^1,4. However, cattle have been eradicated, and goats andpigs are decreasing¹. New roads and tunnels could result in habitat loss and facilitate access and considerable disturbance, although there is currently little traffic¹. Introduced rats (particularly black rat Rattus rattus), cats Felis cattus, pigs Sus scrofa, goats Capra hircus and cattle Bos taurus are all common on Nuku Hiva and likely constitute a threat^4,10.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The bird is revered in local culture and hunting is forbidden (although it continues)¹. Following recommendations of translocations⁵, five birds were released on Ua Huka where there are no R. rattus in April/May 2000⁸. At least 4 of the 5 introduced birds had survived into June⁷, and in 2003, 5 more birds were released to augment the population. Following a 28% increase in this population during the 2005/6 season it is anticipated to reach a pre-translocation target of 50 individuals by 2010, the population will be resurveyed in 2008^9,11. Monitoring is continuing and, if deemed successful, further translocation will occur to increase the genetic base and further establish the population⁷. An awareness raising campaign focused initially on local school children has met with success and it has now been expanded to the general public. As a result hunting pressure appears to have been reduced⁹. A moral agreement with the people of Ua Huka not to hunt the bird has been achieved¹¹. Thanks to lobbying by Manu the road development project was amended and the new road and tunnel project cancelled - only rehabilitation of the actual road was carried out¹². Conservation Actions Proposed Research predation by cats and rats and, depending on the results, set up some control measures^1,8. Promote public awareness through publicity materials and schools, especially in relation to legal protection¹. Ensure that game is not reintroduced into the wild (which would increase hunting generally)¹. Ensure that road development takes account of the species's requirements¹. Prevent further accidental introductions of exotic species¹. Establish the absence of avian diseases¹.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The bird is revered in local culture and hunting is forbidden (although it continues)¹. Following recommendations of translocations⁵, five birds were released on Ua Huka where there are no R. rattus in April/May 2000⁸. At least 4 of the 5 introduced birds had survived into June⁷, and in 2003, 5 more birds were released to augment the population. Following a 28% increase in this population during the 2005/6 season it is anticipated to reach a pre-translocation target of 50 individuals by 2010, the population will be resurveyed in 2008^9,11. Monitoring is continuing and, if deemed successful, further translocation will occur to increase the genetic base and further establish the population⁷. An awareness raising campaign focused initially on local school children has met with success and it has now been expanded to the general public. As a result hunting pressure appears to have been reduced⁹. A moral agreement with the people of Ua Huka not to hunt the bird has been achieved¹¹. Thanks to lobbying by Manu the road development project was amended and the new road and tunnel project cancelled - only rehabilitation of the actual road was carried out¹².

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research predation by cats and rats and, depending on the results, set up some control measures^1,8. Promote public awareness through publicity materials and schools, especially in relation to legal protection¹. Ensure that game is not reintroduced into the wild (which would increase hunting generally)¹. Ensure that road development takes account of the species's requirements¹. Prevent further accidental introductions of exotic species¹. Establish the absence of avian diseases¹.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Ducula galeata. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2012.
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