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Didunculus strigirostris
– Endangered
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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COLUMBIFORMES
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Family:
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COLUMBIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Didunculus strigirostris
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Species Authority:
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(Jardine, 1845)
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON |
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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EN A2bcd; B1ab(ii,iii,v); C1+2a(i) ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2004
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Stattersfield, A. & Dutson, G. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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This secretive species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small, fragmented range and population, which are both declining as the extent and quality of its forest habitat diminishes. Furthermore, it has suffered a drastic decline, probably losing more than 50% of its population over the last decade, owing to the effects of severe cyclones.
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History:
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| 1988 | - | Threatened (Collar and Andrew 1988) |
| 1994 | - | Vulnerable (Collar, Crosby and Stattersfield 1994) |
| 2000 | - | Endangered (BirdLife International 2000) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Didunculus strigirostris is endemic to Samoa, where its total population was estimated at 4,800-7,200 birds in the mid-1980s2. In the 1990s the population showed a drastic decline owing to the effects of cyclones such that, in 2000, fewer than 2,500 mature individuals were believed to survive. In 1999 and 2000, surveys on Savai`i showed that it had become rare with pairs scattered in suitable habitat4. There is concern that these small, increasingly fragmented subpopulations may not be viable10.
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Countries:
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Native:
Samoa
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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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It occurs in primary forest from sea-level to 1,600 m, also occurring in forest edge, along forest roads and sometimes visiting clearings where native trees remain2,6,7. It is specialised to feed on the seeds of Dysoxylum spp. (using its unusual bill to saw through the tough, fibrous pericarp), also feeding on other fleshy fruit2. Clutch-size is probably two2.
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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 deforestation for agriculture particularly combined with the severe effects of cyclones, e.g. in 1990 and 1991, when canopy cover was reduced from 100% to 27%8. Forest quality is further reduced by the subsequent invasion of highly aggressive non-native trees10. Hunting is also a further threat, e.g. in 1985, 400 birds were being shot every year5. Although hunting is now illegal, birds are still shot in the seasonal harvest of unprotected pigeon species7.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Conservation measures underway:
It is fully protected by law and hunting is banned. It occurs in some proposed and a few existing protected areas, but these have suffered cyclone damage and the O Le Pupu Pu`e National Park on `Upolu is threatened by logging and cattle-farming5. It has recently been chosen as a flagship species to promote conservation awareness.
Conservation measures proposed:
Extend the hunting ban to cover all native columbids to avoid "mistaken" shooting6. Conduct further surveys to determine its distribution and population numbers6,9,11. Gather further information on its life-history and habitat requirements6,9,11. Investigate threats9,11. Identify important sites, set up a network of long-term monitoring stations, and establish conservation areas/nature reserves, e.g. on the four small islands off the east coast of `Upolu including Nu`utele (Aleipata)6,9,11. Increase local involvement in its study and conservation9,11.
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