Pomarea nigra

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	PASSERIFORMES	MONARCHIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pomarea nigra

Species Authority:

(Sparrman, 1786)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Tahiti Flycatcher, Tahiti Monarch

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Thibault, J., Ghestemme, T., Raust, P., Gouni, A., Millett, J.

Justification:
Although intensive conservation action has now reversed declines and resulted in a substantial population increase, the population size remains tiny, and the species therefore qualifies as Critically Endangered.

History:

2010	–	Critically Endangered
2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2006	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pomarea nigra is endemic to Tahiti in the Society Islands, French Polynesia. It was apparently rare throughout the 20th century and, during the period 1986-1991, was noted in only four valleys (several pairs at each locality) out of 39 visited³. In September 1998, 27 birds (12 pairs) were located within these four lowland valleys. This figure has remained stable or perhaps increased slightly and in 2006 there were 12 territories occupied by 19 adult or subadult birds in accessible parts of the valleys, with new pairs even becoming established in abandoned territories, and the total population estimated at 40-45 individuals^11,12. 19 birds (including 7 breeding pairs) were located in accessible areas in 2007¹³, and in 2010, the known population of birds numbered 35 individuals¹⁵.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The known population in 2010 was 35 individuals (Anon 2010), and the population is best placed the band <50 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is only found between 80 m and 400 m in altitude, and the tree "mara" Neonauclea forsteri is a common feature of the four valleys where it survives⁶. It is highly territorial, foraging both in the canopy and the undergrowth for insects⁴.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its decline on Mt Mara`u might be related to the replacement of the high, dense forest by shrubs of the botanical pest Miconia calvescens, introduced in 1937, whose progression was partly facilitated by a hurricane in 1983⁷. A decline in habitat quality is a likely threat elsewhere, as forest is largely composed of introduced invasive species, such as the African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata, and usually confined to a narrow strip along the floor of steep basalt canyons². Predation by rats, particularly black rat Rattus rattus, is an important factor^1,10, and goat grazing is leading to habitat degradation in some areas¹⁶. A three-year study showed that significantly more Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer and Common Myna Acridotheres tristis were present in territories that experienced nest failure or early fledgling death⁹, while other potential predators include cats and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans¹⁶. Tahiti Kingfisher Todiramphus veneratus is an aggressive competitor which has been observed driving a pair of monarchs off their territory¹⁶.

Major Threat(s):

Its decline on Mt Mara`u might be related to the replacement of the high, dense forest by shrubs of the botanical pest Miconia calvescens, introduced in 1937, whose progression was partly facilitated by a hurricane in 1983⁷. A decline in habitat quality is a likely threat elsewhere, as forest is largely composed of introduced invasive species, such as the African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata, and usually confined to a narrow strip along the floor of steep basalt canyons². Predation by rats, particularly black rat Rattus rattus, is an important factor^1,10, and goat grazing is leading to habitat degradation in some areas¹⁶. A three-year study showed that significantly more Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer and Common Myna Acridotheres tristis were present in territories that experienced nest failure or early fledgling death⁹, while other potential predators include cats and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans¹⁶. Tahiti Kingfisher Todiramphus veneratus is an aggressive competitor which has been observed driving a pair of monarchs off their territory¹⁶.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In 1998, rat control around known nests (using poisoning and tree-banding) was initiated by the Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie MANU¹. Rat control was successful if conducted throughout the year and over the entire valley. However, if control was confined to monarch territories only, re-invasions occurred on a regular basis⁸. Control of rats is ongoing and it is planned to expand it in scale¹⁷. Some control of invasive Miconia and Spathodea is ongoing in accessible valleys¹⁷. In 2009 several Tahiti Kingfishers were captured in the Papehue valley and moved to areas away from monarch populations with the aim of reducing competition¹⁶. An immature Tahiti Monarch found at a degraded site was translocated to a valley with suitable habitat and a low existing population¹⁵. An action plan has also been produced⁶, and the feasibility of translocation is being assessed. Many individuals have been colour-banded. Conservation Actions Proposed Regularly monitor known territories in the four valleys, including searching for nests⁶. Search for birds in previously known locations and survey possible new areas⁶. Continue rat control using a combination of poisoning and tree-banding^1,5,6. Conduct experiments to improve the quality of the habitat in a couple of valleys by encouraging the growth of young mara trees and removing African tulip trees⁶. Confirm the impact of introduced birds and investigate their control^1,5,6. If essential, take surviving birds into captivity, increase this population through captive breeding and release once a suitable site/island has been identified/restored^1,6.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In 1998, rat control around known nests (using poisoning and tree-banding) was initiated by the Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie MANU¹. Rat control was successful if conducted throughout the year and over the entire valley. However, if control was confined to monarch territories only, re-invasions occurred on a regular basis⁸. Control of rats is ongoing and it is planned to expand it in scale¹⁷. Some control of invasive Miconia and Spathodea is ongoing in accessible valleys¹⁷. In 2009 several Tahiti Kingfishers were captured in the Papehue valley and moved to areas away from monarch populations with the aim of reducing competition¹⁶. An immature Tahiti Monarch found at a degraded site was translocated to a valley with suitable habitat and a low existing population¹⁵. An action plan has also been produced⁶, and the feasibility of translocation is being assessed. Many individuals have been colour-banded.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Regularly monitor known territories in the four valleys, including searching for nests⁶. Search for birds in previously known locations and survey possible new areas⁶. Continue rat control using a combination of poisoning and tree-banding^1,5,6. Conduct experiments to improve the quality of the habitat in a couple of valleys by encouraging the growth of young mara trees and removing African tulip trees⁶. Confirm the impact of introduced birds and investigate their control^1,5,6. If essential, take surviving birds into captivity, increase this population through captive breeding and release once a suitable site/island has been identified/restored^1,6.

Bibliography [top]

	Blanvillain, C. 2000. Programme de sauvegarde du monarque de Tahiti: des premiers résultats prometteurs pour la survie de l'espèce. Bulletin de la Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie (Te Manu) 30: 3-4. 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. Blanvillain, C.; Tamaititahio, M.; Noguera, C.; Marion, J. 2001. Rat and introduced bird control to save the critically endangered Tahiti Flycatcher (Pomarea nigra) from extinction: report on the TFC reproductive success for the 2001 breeding season (Part 1: from 1 July to 31 December 2001; English report). Gaze, P. 1998. Tahiti Monarch Flycatcher. Ornithological Society of New Zealand News: 1. 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. 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. SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999. Thibault, J.-C.; Blanvillain, C.; Monnet, C. 1999. Plan de conservation du 'Omama'o (monarque de Tahiti Pomarea nigra): étude des mécanismes d'extinction. Thibault, J. C.; Martin, J. L.; Penloup, A.; Meyer, J. Y. 2002. Understanding the decline and extinction of monarchs (Aves) in Polynesian Islands. Biological Conservation 108: 161-174.

Blanvillain, C. 2000. Programme de sauvegarde du monarque de Tahiti: des premiers résultats prometteurs pour la survie de l'espèce. Bulletin de la Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie (Te Manu) 30: 3-4.

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.

Blanvillain, C.; Tamaititahio, M.; Noguera, C.; Marion, J. 2001. Rat and introduced bird control to save the critically endangered Tahiti Flycatcher (Pomarea nigra) from extinction: report on the TFC reproductive success for the 2001 breeding season (Part 1: from 1 July to 31 December 2001; English report).

Gaze, P. 1998. Tahiti Monarch Flycatcher. Ornithological Society of New Zealand News: 1.

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.

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.

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

Thibault, J.-C.; Blanvillain, C.; Monnet, C. 1999. Plan de conservation du 'Omama'o (monarque de Tahiti Pomarea nigra): étude des mécanismes d'extinction.

Thibault, J. C.; Martin, J. L.; Penloup, A.; Meyer, J. Y. 2002. Understanding the decline and extinction of monarchs (Aves) in Polynesian Islands. Biological Conservation 108: 161-174.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2011. Pomarea nigra. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2012.
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