Turdus lherminieri

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	TURDIDAE

Scientific Name:

Turdus lherminieri

Species Authority:

(Lafresnaye, 1844)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Forest Thrush

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2cde ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Levesque, A., Arlington, .., Feldmann, P., Ibene, B., Villard, P., Hilton, G., John, L.

Justification:
Human-induced deforestation, introduced predators and severe habitat loss from volcanic eruptions on Montserrat in 1995-1997 have produced rapid population declines, qualifying the species as Vulnerable. However, although the population on Montserrat has increased markedly since 1997 and the overall decline rate is likely to be lower in the future, the rate of decline on other islands may increase.

History:

2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Cichlherminia lherminieri is uncommon in the Lesser Antilles, on Montserrat (to UK), Dominica, Guadeloupe (to France) and rare on St Lucia, but appears to have declined significantly throughout its range in recent years⁶. The range on Montserrat was reduced by two-thirds in 1995-1997 by the effects of volcanic eruptions⁴. However, in December 1999, the population was estimated at 3,100 birds¹, representing an increase of c.50% since December 1997, with further increases up until 2006^4,12. The reasons for these dramatic increases are not known, neither is it known how well the population is recovering in the regenerating forest in the area destroyed by the volcanic eruption¹². On St Lucia, it is now very rare with just one recent record (at Des Chassin, 2007), but was considered numerous in the late 19th century, indicating a serious decline^5,13. On Guadeloupe, it occurs at low densities^3,10, and discussions with hunters indicate it is declining¹¹. On Dominica it also occurs at low densities, and has been observed in suitable habitat in the northern, western, central, south-eastern and southern regions⁸.
Countries:	Native: Dominica; Guadeloupe; Montserrat; Saint Lucia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	3,100 estimated for Montserrat in Young 2008, considered rather rare elsewhere, this is still a very vague estimate.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It mostly inhabits the undergrowth and edge of mid- and high-altitude primary and secondary moist forest, but can be exceedingly shy where hunted^2,5,6. However on Montserrat, although it occurs at all altitudes, the species is most common in lower altitude dry forest⁹. Pairs feed on insects and berries from ground-level to the forest canopy⁶. On St Lucia, it previously gathered in large numbers in autumn to feed on berries⁵. Breeding has been recorded in March-August.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It mostly inhabits the undergrowth and edge of mid- and high-altitude primary and secondary moist forest, but can be exceedingly shy where hunted^2,5,6. However on Montserrat, although it occurs at all altitudes, the species is most common in lower altitude dry forest⁹. Pairs feed on insects and berries from ground-level to the forest canopy⁶. On St Lucia, it previously gathered in large numbers in autumn to feed on berries⁵. Breeding has been recorded in March-August.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Habitat loss has occurred throughout the species's range, but has been particularly acute on Montserrat⁴. Volcanic activity was much reduced during 1998-1999⁴, but a further major volcanic eruption in 2001 caused heavy ash falls across large areas of the remaining habitat⁷. Threats on other islands include brood-parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds Molothrus bonariensis, competition with Bare-eyed Robin Turdus nudigenis (which are increasing on Guadeloupe)¹⁰ and predation by mongooses and other introduced mammals⁶. It is still legally hunted on Guadeloupe³, and illegal hunting for food continues on other islands⁶.

Major Threat(s):

Habitat loss has occurred throughout the species's range, but has been particularly acute on Montserrat⁴. Volcanic activity was much reduced during 1998-1999⁴, but a further major volcanic eruption in 2001 caused heavy ash falls across large areas of the remaining habitat⁷. Threats on other islands include brood-parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds Molothrus bonariensis, competition with Bare-eyed Robin Turdus nudigenis (which are increasing on Guadeloupe)¹⁰ and predation by mongooses and other introduced mammals⁶. It is still legally hunted on Guadeloupe³, and illegal hunting for food continues on other islands⁶.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It occurs in Morne Diablotin National Park and Morne Trois National Parks, as well as the Northern and Central Forest Reserves on Dominica⁸, Guadeloupe National Park on Guadeloupe and various forest reserves including Edmond on St Lucia. On Montserrat, remaining habitat in the Centre Hills area is protected and highly unlikely to suffer any further anthropogenic habitat destruction⁴. The species is monitored annually in the Centre Hills, with large-scale censuses in 1997 and 1999⁴. Conservation Actions Proposed Survey to assess the status and seasonal requirements of the species on each island. Implement a specific hunting ban. Conduct an awareness campaign to limit hunting.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in Morne Diablotin National Park and Morne Trois National Parks, as well as the Northern and Central Forest Reserves on Dominica⁸, Guadeloupe National Park on Guadeloupe and various forest reserves including Edmond on St Lucia. On Montserrat, remaining habitat in the Centre Hills area is protected and highly unlikely to suffer any further anthropogenic habitat destruction⁴. The species is monitored annually in the Centre Hills, with large-scale censuses in 1997 and 1999⁴.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess the status and seasonal requirements of the species on each island. Implement a specific hunting ban. Conduct an awareness campaign to limit hunting.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Turdus lherminieri. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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