• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category

The species is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is thought to be declining but does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified but is not thought to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally local and uncommon (Dutson 2011), though likely to exceed 10,000 mature individuals (G. Dutson in litt. 2023). It is common at least on Makira, Kolombangara, Guadalcanal and Bougainville, although uncommon on Santa Isabel (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Collar and Boesman 2021).

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends; however, remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that in the three generations to 2021, forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to c.5-6%. The species is more common at higher elevations and occurs in secondary forest and plantations, however, the rate of deforestation does not take into account logging and other degradation which may be driving declines (G. Dutson in litt. 2023). The cage-bird trade could threaten populations, although the severity of this threat is unclear. The population trend is therefore tentatively suspected to be declining, placed here in the range 1-9% within three generations.

Charmosyna margarethae is endemic to Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and to Santa Isabel, Kolombangara, Nggatokae, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira (San Cristobal), Santa Ana and Santa Catalina in the Solomon Islands.

It is usually found in lower montane forest, it occurs from sea-level to 1,350 m and in coconut plantations (Cain and Galbraith 1956, Diamond 1975, Schodde 1977, Buckingham et al. 1995, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997-1998). It is commonest in flowering trees in primary hill forests (Dutson 2011). It may be nomadic and reliant on a combination of habitats at different altitudes. It feeds on pollen, nectar and some small fruits such as Schefflera.

Forest loss is slow but ongoing within the range (per Global Forest Watch 2022); much of the lowland forest in its range has been or is scheduled to be logged. The cage-bird trade could threaten populations, although the severity of this threat is unclear. 

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations on all the islands where the species occurs. Ensure the protection of significant areas of forest to provide suitable trees for nesting. Continue to control trade.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Duchess Lorikeet Charmosyna margarethae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/duchess-lorikeet-charmosyna-margarethae on 25/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 25/11/2024.