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Aplonis feadensis
– Near Threatened
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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AVES
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Order:
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PASSERIFORMES
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Family:
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STURNIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Aplonis feadensis
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Species Authority:
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(Ramsay, 1882)
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Common Name/s:
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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NT ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2005
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Butchart, S. & Dutson, G. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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Although this species has some susceptibility to stochastic events and human activities, its small range is spread out over many small islets, so it qualifies Near Threatened. Further data are required on its habitat requirements, population sizes and trends on each island, and movement between these subpopulations. Nearly qualifies for threatened under criteria D2.
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History:
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| 1988 | - | Lower Risk/least concern (BirdLife International 2004) |
| 1994 | - | Lower Risk/least concern (BirdLife International 2004) |
| 2000 | - | Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2000) |
| 2004 | - | Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2004) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Aplonis feadensis is an extreme small-island specialist, occurring on a number of tiny atolls in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. It breeds on islands in the Ninigo (3 km²), Hermit (8 km²), Tench (less than 1 km²), Nissan (37 km²), Nguria (5 km²) and Ontong Java groups (10 km²). It is fairly common on these islands1,2,3,4 with day-counts of c.30 birds on Tench and Nissan in 19985 and 15 on Tench in 19996. There is no indication of changes in the population.
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Countries:
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Native:
Papua New Guinea; Solomon Islands
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Population
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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This is a largely frugivorous starling, usually foraging in pairs in the canopy, but also raiding gardens for bananas and other fruit1,2,3,4,5. Its dependence on natural forest or tree species is not known. It nests in holes in old and damaged trees and coconut palms. Its dispersal abilities are not well-known beyond flying between islands within a group, but inter-island morphological variation suggests limited gene flow3.
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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It is threatened by natural causes such as cyclone damage and colonisation of its islands by A. cantoroides, exacerbated by ongoing habitat changes. It is generally assumed to be unable to compete with A. cantoroides2,3, although it coexists with A. metallica on Nissan and apparently with A. cantoroides on some of the Ninigo islands - however, the latter situation may be unstable2,3. All the islands except Nissan are tiny and have a high human population pressure on the small and fragmented remaining forested habitats. As well as clearance for agriculture, large areas have been cleared for coconut plantations. It is not known how tolerant it is to habitat change, but its dependence on holes for nesting may be a limiting factor. It is potentially at risk from climate change, as most of the islands it inhabits only rise a few metres above sea-level7.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Conservation measures underway:
None is known.
Conservation measures proposed:
Resurvey small islets across the species's range. Resurvey distribution of this species and A. cantoroides on the Ninigos. Ascertain area of forest and rates of clearance on all occupied islands. Ascertain habitat requirements. Assess distribution, population level and trends on Nissan. Investigate competition and ecological segregation with A. cantoroides. Relate distribution to that of introduced predatory species. Monitor population trends on Nissan. Advocate retention of natural forest reserves on all islands, regardless of their size. Initiate public awareness and education programmes regarding this species and the threats of introducing exotic species. Assess isolation of subpopulations through comparison of specimens.
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