Icterus northropi

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	ICTERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Icterus northropi

Species Authority:

Allen, 1890

Common Name/s:

English

–

Bahama Oriole

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Price, M., Hayes, W.

Justification:
This newly-split species is listed as Critically Endangered because its extremely small population, which is believed to form a single subpopulation, is suspected to be in decline owing to the effects of introduced species, as well as infrastructural and agricultural development.

History:

2008	–	Not Recognized
2004	–	Not Recognized
2000	–	Not Recognized
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Icterus northropi was recently split from I. dominicensis following studies into the morphology, life history, vocalisations and genetics of the dominicensis group^4,5. It is endemic to the Andros group in The Bahamas, including North Andros, South Andros and Mangrove Cay. It formerly occurred on Abaco, but disappeared for unknown reasons in the early 1990s⁶. In 1997, a 'liberal' estimate was put forward of 150-300 individuals on North and South Andros⁴; however, recent surveys recorded a total of 81 individuals on North Andros, 22 on Mangrove Cay, and 24 on South Andros⁶. Assuming 50-100% detectability, total numbers are estimated at 127-254⁶. These surveys did not extend to the interior (pine forest) and western side (mangrove) of Andros; however, the species is thought to be rare in these habitats^3,6,7. Habitat on Wood Cay may be suitable, but other cays within and around Andros are thought likely to be too small to support populations. Initial results of a genetic study suggest that the species has one subpopulation, as there is some movement between islands⁶.
Countries:	Native: Bahamas
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Recent surveys recorded a total of 81 orioles on North Andros, 22 on Mangrove Cay, and 24 on South Andros. Assuming 50-100% detectability, this would put total numbers at 127-254 (M. Price in litt. 2010). Surveys did not extend to the interior (pine forest) and western side (mangrove) of Andros; however, the species is thought to be rare or absent from these habitats (Currie et al. 2005, M. Price in litt. 2010). Habitat on Wood Cay may be suitable, but other cays within and around Andros are thought likely to be too small to support additional populations, and the species disappeared from Abaco in the early 1990s. Based on this information, there are estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Recent surveys recorded a total of 81 orioles on North Andros, 22 on Mangrove Cay, and 24 on South Andros. Assuming 50-100% detectability, this would put total numbers at 127-254 (M. Price in litt. 2010). Surveys did not extend to the interior (pine forest) and western side (mangrove) of Andros; however, the species is thought to be rare or absent from these habitats (Currie et al. 2005, M. Price in litt. 2010). Habitat on Wood Cay may be suitable, but other cays within and around Andros are thought likely to be too small to support additional populations, and the species disappeared from Abaco in the early 1990s. Based on this information, there are estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species inhabits open forests and edge habitats and relies heavily on palms¹. Indeed, the planting of coconut palms in residential areas has allowed the species to spread into human settlements. It also relies on coppiced broadleaved woodland, including areas of mixed pine and coppice^3,6. It feeds primarily on insects and fruit¹. The species nests in May-June¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Perhaps the two most significant threats are brood parasitism by the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis, which arrived in the 1990s, and lethal yellowing, which has destroyed entire communities of coconut palm within the last five years, such as that of Staniard Creek (97% mortality)⁶. In 2009, the species was completely absent from this settlement, where they were formerly common. Lethal yellowing appears not to have reached South Andros or Mangrove Cay, as they had very healthy palm populations in 2009, and there appears to be a much higher density of orioles on South Andros and Mangrove Cay than on North Andros⁶. The cowbird population does not appear to be increasing⁷. On South Andros, the coppiced habitats that the species favours are threatened by major road and agricultural developments^6,7. Additional potential threats include forest fires, logging, introduced diseases, invasive species (in particular rats and feral cats), and the potential effects of climate change in terms of sea-level rise and changes in habitat distributions⁴.

Major Threat(s):

Perhaps the two most significant threats are brood parasitism by the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis, which arrived in the 1990s, and lethal yellowing, which has destroyed entire communities of coconut palm within the last five years, such as that of Staniard Creek (97% mortality)⁶. In 2009, the species was completely absent from this settlement, where they were formerly common. Lethal yellowing appears not to have reached South Andros or Mangrove Cay, as they had very healthy palm populations in 2009, and there appears to be a much higher density of orioles on South Andros and Mangrove Cay than on North Andros⁶. The cowbird population does not appear to be increasing⁷. On South Andros, the coppiced habitats that the species favours are threatened by major road and agricultural developments^6,7. Additional potential threats include forest fires, logging, introduced diseases, invasive species (in particular rats and feral cats), and the potential effects of climate change in terms of sea-level rise and changes in habitat distributions⁴.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The species is the subject of ongoing research⁶. Conservation Actions Proposed Study habitat use by the species throughout the year and in relation to its life history⁶. Carry out further survey work to confirm the population size. Monitor population trends. Initiate a citizen science programme focussed on the species and involving local schools⁶. Protect coppiced habitats and encourage the practice to increase the extent of such habitats. Plant disease-resistant cultivars of coconut palm on North Andros to replace those already lost⁶.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is the subject of ongoing research⁶.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Study habitat use by the species throughout the year and in relation to its life history⁶. Carry out further survey work to confirm the population size. Monitor population trends. Initiate a citizen science programme focussed on the species and involving local schools⁶. Protect coppiced habitats and encourage the practice to increase the extent of such habitats. Plant disease-resistant cultivars of coconut palm on North Andros to replace those already lost⁶.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2011. Icterus northropi. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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