Pomarea whitneyi

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	PASSERIFORMES	MONARCHIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pomarea whitneyi

Species Authority:

Murphy & Mathews, 1928

Common Name/s:

English

–

Fatu Hiva Flycatcher, Fatuhiva Monarch

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A2be+4be;B1ab(v);C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gouni, A., Ghestemme, T., Raust, P.

Justification:
This species is endemic to one tiny island where, despite its very small population, it was considered secure. However, since the first observation of black rats in 2000 it has declined extremely rapidly and the current population is now estimated to be extremely low: it hence qualifies as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pomarea whitneyi is endemic to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. In 1975, the population was estimated at several hundred pairs and, in 1990, it was still common^1,3. In February 2000 the total population was estimated at a few hundred pairs (400-1,000 individuals)^5,7. Unlike in 1975, no birds were observed in the groves of mango on the slopes and ridges up the Omoa Valley, and the lack of adults with immatures indicated low breeding success⁵. Repeat visits in 2003 and 2006 only found the species using three out of eight potentially suitable valleys above Omoa, and just one out seven near Hanavave⁷. Furthermore, the encounter rate during surveys declined from 0.35 individuals per point count in 2003 to 0.23 individuals in 2006, a decline of 35% in the number of monarchs detected during that period⁷. These catastrophic declines have continued, with a five-month survey in 2009 finding only 0.11 individuals per point count⁹, and totals of 13 territories and 41 birds found: the total population was estimated to be as low as 67 individuals^9,11.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	A five-month survey in 2009 found only 0.11 individuals per point count and totals of 13 territories and 41 individuals: the total population was estimated to be as low as 67 individuals (T. Ghestemme in litt. 2010; Anon 2010).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in dense, native forest from 50 m to 700 m, with some non-breeding birds found up to 775 m on a crest below the highest summit on Mt Touaouoho in native wet forest⁵. It feeds on insects (e.g. coleoptera), spiders and seeds¹. Nests are placed in a thin tree fork¹⁰.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Fatu Hiva is a relatively well preserved, well forested island (with no overgrazing or destruction of vegetation by fire). Black rat Rattus rattus was observed for the first time on the island in February 2000⁴. Identified as a serious threat as its presence is strongly correlated with the decline and extinction of monarch populations⁶, rats already appear to have caused an extremely rapid population decline and represent the principal threat⁷. Successful recent breeding has only very rarely been noted except in areas cleared of rats; elsewhere the lack of juveniles may indicate a rapidly aging population¹⁰. Feral cats also appear to be a significant threat to the species as two adults were sighted without tails, typically a sign of a cat predation attempt. Cats are apparently released in agricultural areas near to where the monarch is found⁹, and have been found in most valleys on the island. They are presumably capable of impacting the monarch even in areas where rats have been cleared¹⁰.

Major Threat(s):

Fatu Hiva is a relatively well preserved, well forested island (with no overgrazing or destruction of vegetation by fire). Black rat Rattus rattus was observed for the first time on the island in February 2000⁴. Identified as a serious threat as its presence is strongly correlated with the decline and extinction of monarch populations⁶, rats already appear to have caused an extremely rapid population decline and represent the principal threat⁷. Successful recent breeding has only very rarely been noted except in areas cleared of rats; elsewhere the lack of juveniles may indicate a rapidly aging population¹⁰. Feral cats also appear to be a significant threat to the species as two adults were sighted without tails, typically a sign of a cat predation attempt. Cats are apparently released in agricultural areas near to where the monarch is found⁹, and have been found in most valleys on the island. They are presumably capable of impacting the monarch even in areas where rats have been cleared¹⁰.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The population has been regularly checked since the 1970s^1,5. Conservation efforts have been increased owing to the recent rapid decline in the population. Rat control has been ongoing at accessible territories since 2008, and this work is being extended gradually to additional areas^8,9: in early 2011 all known accessible territories (31 individuals in ten valleys) were being protected against rats, with significant improvements including spreading bait with catapults to reach previously inaccessible areas¹². Feral cat control has been underway since August 2010¹². A feasibility study was carried out to assess the suitability of other islands for translocation: without further rat eradications Rimatara was found to be the only suitable island and due to the small amount of suitable habitat translocation of P. nigra was considered preferable here^8,12. A recovery group, shared with P. nigra, has been established to formulate a conservation strategy⁹, and a Site Support Group was created in August 2010¹². An awareness campaign is being run, targeted at local people, with an aim to educate about the status of the species, and a poster and t-shirt have been produced as part of the process⁹. Population banding began in late 2009, with six birds colour-banded by March 2011^9,12. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue rat control in areas where this work is already ongoing, and expand control to other areas^4,6,9. Conduct surveys elsewhere on the island using the same methodologies and continue to monitor the known population through banding^7,9. Consider translocation, either to another island or by creating another, larger controlled area in an accessible part of Fatu Hiva which would allow birds to be translocated to it from valleys where protection is impossible¹⁰. Continue a public awareness programme^7,9. Continue and extent cat control and assess their effect on the species⁹.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The population has been regularly checked since the 1970s^1,5. Conservation efforts have been increased owing to the recent rapid decline in the population. Rat control has been ongoing at accessible territories since 2008, and this work is being extended gradually to additional areas^8,9: in early 2011 all known accessible territories (31 individuals in ten valleys) were being protected against rats, with significant improvements including spreading bait with catapults to reach previously inaccessible areas¹². Feral cat control has been underway since August 2010¹². A feasibility study was carried out to assess the suitability of other islands for translocation: without further rat eradications Rimatara was found to be the only suitable island and due to the small amount of suitable habitat translocation of P. nigra was considered preferable here^8,12. A recovery group, shared with P. nigra, has been established to formulate a conservation strategy⁹, and a Site Support Group was created in August 2010¹². An awareness campaign is being run, targeted at local people, with an aim to educate about the status of the species, and a poster and t-shirt have been produced as part of the process⁹. Population banding began in late 2009, with six birds colour-banded by March 2011^9,12.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue rat control in areas where this work is already ongoing, and expand control to other areas^4,6,9. Conduct surveys elsewhere on the island using the same methodologies and continue to monitor the known population through banding^7,9. Consider translocation, either to another island or by creating another, larger controlled area in an accessible part of Fatu Hiva which would allow birds to be translocated to it from valleys where protection is impossible¹⁰. Continue a public awareness programme^7,9. Continue and extent cat control and assess their effect on the species⁹.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2011. Pomarea whitneyi. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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