NT
Atoll Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coralensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2023 Near Threatened C2a(i)
2016 Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iv,v)
2012 Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iv,v)
2008 Near Threatened B1 a+b(ii,ii,iv,v)
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 230,000 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 3,400 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2800-5600 mature individuals medium estimated 2015
Population trend decreasing poor suspected -
Generation length 3.64 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 10-30 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: Numbers likely remain low throughout its range due to the small land areas and scarcity of its preferred food resources (J.-C. Thibault in litt. 2000, Thibault and Cibois 2017). The species has been described as abundant in some areas and scarce in others (Gibbs et al. 2001); numbers may be higher on some atolls which have remained free from the ravages of introduced predators (Blanvillain et al. 2002). The total number of fruit-doves is difficult to assess and few atolls have been investigated for this species, however based on a mean density of 1 bird per 5-10 ha across several visited atolls, the global population size of this species and Makatea Fruit-dove P. chalcurus together has been estimated at 4,400-9,000 birds (Thibault and Cibois 2017, A. Cibois in litt. 2023). The global population size of P. coralensis is therefore placed in the range 4,200-8,400 birds, roughly equivalent to 2,800-5,600 mature individuals, with no subpopulation likely to exceed 1,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The species has disappeared from atolls in the past (Tenarunga and Maturei Vavao) following large-scale expansion of coconut plantations in the 1960s (Thibault and Cibois 2017). Although not currently ongoing at such a scale, the development of coconut groves remains a threat to this species through the destruction of natural vegetation (Thibault and Cibois 2017). Predation by rats may also be driving declines. As such, although the population trend has not been assessed directly, it is precautionarily suspected to be in slow decline given the ongoing threats.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
French Polynesia extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
French Polynesia Apataki, Arutua et Kaukura (Îles Palliser)
French Polynesia Motu de l'ouest et du sud de Rangiroa
French Polynesia Niau
French Polynesia Tahanea
French Polynesia Tenararo
French Polynesia Tikehau

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Altitude 0 - 30 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Atoll Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coralensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/atoll-fruit-dove-ptilinopus-coralensis on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.