Goura victoria

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	COLUMBIFORMES	COLUMBIDAE

Scientific Name:

Goura victoria

Species Authority:

(Fraser, 1844)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Victoria Crowned-pigeon, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Victoria Crowned-Pigeon, Victoria Goura
Spanish	–	Paloma Crestada Victoria

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2cd+3cd+4cd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

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

Contributor/s:

Beehler, B., Bishop, K., Burrows, I. & Gregory, P.

Justification:
This species is categorised as Vulnerable because its population is suspected to be rapidly declining through logging and hunting. It is particularly easy to hunt as it is tame, gregarious, and flushed birds are easy to shoot from their low perches. However, there are few quantitative data and new information may lead to its reclassification.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Goura victoria occurs on Biak-Supiori (where it may have been introduced), the Yapen islands, and northern New Guinea from Geelvink Bay, Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, to Astrolabe Bay, and an isolated area around Collingwood Bay in easternmost Papua New Guinea^1,6,8. Its absence between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay is likely to be natural, given the lack of a coastal plain along this strip, though some think it may indicate a historic extirpation^2,8,9. The main populations are in the Sepik Basin of PNG and the Mamberamo Basin of Papua⁹, it remains locally common in some remote undisturbed areas³.
Countries:	Native: Indonesia; Papua New Guinea
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Preliminary population estimate requiring further documentation
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in lowland forest, including swamp-forest, mostly in the extreme lowlands, but sometimes to 600 m ⁶. It feeds on the ground in small groups of 2-10 birds and roosts in trees. Captive birds start breeding from 15 months old, lay a single egg, and tend to the fledgling for some months after hatching⁸.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is prized by hunters for meat and, to a lesser extent, for its feathers³. Nestlings are also taken to be reared for food⁴. Around populated areas, it has been hunted to local extirpation or survives only in forests many hours or days walk away from the nearest village^1,3,8. It has become extirpated from the vicinity of some transmigration settlements in Papua where it had survived constant hunting from indigenous people⁸. Lowland forests (such as in the Sepik basin)⁹, particularly on the flat terrain favoured by this species, are threatened by logging, and logging roads open up access to hunters^5,7,8. The reduction in shotguns in Papua New Guinea means a reduced threat in that nation⁹. Capture for trade may also be significant⁸.

Major Threat(s):

It is prized by hunters for meat and, to a lesser extent, for its feathers³. Nestlings are also taken to be reared for food⁴. Around populated areas, it has been hunted to local extirpation or survives only in forests many hours or days walk away from the nearest village^1,3,8. It has become extirpated from the vicinity of some transmigration settlements in Papua where it had survived constant hunting from indigenous people⁸. Lowland forests (such as in the Sepik basin)⁹, particularly on the flat terrain favoured by this species, are threatened by logging, and logging roads open up access to hunters^5,7,8. The reduction in shotguns in Papua New Guinea means a reduced threat in that nation⁹. Capture for trade may also be significant⁸.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. Education and research programmes are planned in Papua New Guinea⁸. It is protected by law in Papua New Guinea. Conservation Actions Proposed Survey suitable habitat between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay. Determine populations in study areas such as the Wapoga River. Assess hunting levels through discussion with local hunters. Investigate population trends through discussion with local hunters. Ascertain tolerance of logged forest. Monitor numbers traded. Establish more wildlife protection areas in lowlands. Enforce protection in uninhabited reserve areas. Launch public awareness programmes to reduce hunting. Utilise as a flagship species in ecotourism ventures.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Education and research programmes are planned in Papua New Guinea⁸. It is protected by law in Papua New Guinea.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable habitat between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay. Determine populations in study areas such as the Wapoga River. Assess hunting levels through discussion with local hunters. Investigate population trends through discussion with local hunters. Ascertain tolerance of logged forest. Monitor numbers traded. Establish more wildlife protection areas in lowlands. Enforce protection in uninhabited reserve areas. Launch public awareness programmes to reduce hunting. Utilise as a flagship species in ecotourism ventures.

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