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

Justification of Red List Category
This very poorly known species is classified as Near Threatened since it its thought to be declining within its small range. However, the population and habitat is not severely fragmented or restricted to few locations. Nevertheless, further information is needed on the extent to which the species is threatened by habitat loss, incidental hunting and introduced predators.

Population justification
Population numbers are not known.

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends; however, the species is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat degradation and hunting.

Rallicula leucospila is endemic to north-west Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, where it is known from the Tamrau, Arfak and Wandammen mountain ranges (Beehler et al. 1986). There are very few recent records but one was seen and others heard in 1994-1995, and it was reported by local guides to be rare and to have a very patchy distribution (D. Gibbs in litt. 1996).

This species is a terrestrial inhabitant of interior montane forest from 1,450 to 1,600 m (Beehler et al. 1986).

The extensive rainforests within its range remain largely undisturbed, owing to their geographical isolation and the low-density and traditional lifestyle of the human population (Sujatnika et al. 1995). The only likely threats to this species are localised forest loss and incidental kills from dogs on hunting trips (N. Bostock in litt. 1993), but it may be threatened by introduced predatory mammals even in these remote mountains (D. Gibbs in litt. 2000). As a species of montane habitats, it is regarded as potentially threatened by the effects of projected climate change.

Conservation Actions Underway
There are two protected areas within its range, the Wondiwoi/Wandammen Nature Reserve (730 km²) and the Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve, (currently 683 km²), and the proposed the Pegunungan Tamrau Nature Reserve (c.4,415 km²) in the Tamrau mountains (Sujatnika et al. 1995).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess the size of the population. Regularly monitor the population at selected sites across its range. Research its tolerance of logged forest. Protect large areas of unlogged forest in areas where it occurs. Quantify the impact of hunting on populations. Research the effects of introduced and feral species on populations.

Text account compilers
Mahood, S., O'Brien, A. & Taylor, J.

Contributors
Bostock, N. & Gibbs, D.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Species factsheet: Rallicula leucospila. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 29/03/2023. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2023) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 29/03/2023.