NT
Azure-crested Flycatcher Myiagra azureocapilla



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Myiagra azureocapilla and M. castaneigularis (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) were previously lumped as M. azureocapilla following Sibley & Monroe (1990, 1993).

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and 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
2024 Near Threatened B1b(iii)+2b(iii); C2a(ii)
2016 Near Threatened B1a(i)b(iii,v)+2a(i)b(iii,v); C2a(ii)
2012 Not Recognised
2008 Not Recognised
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type Average mass 13 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 620 km2
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 620 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 5000-9999 mature individuals - estimated 2020
Population trend decreasing - suspected -
Generation length 2.85 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: The species is reported to be not as common as Myiagra vanikorensis but is quite regularly observed in suitable habitats (Watling 2001). Based on densities recorded in Masibalavu and Dutson (2006), the population was roughly estimated to number 5,000 mature individuals though the true number may be more if most of the birds recorded were singing males (M. O'Brien in litt. 2020). The population is tentatively placed here in the band 5,000-9,999 mature individuals to account for this uncertainty.

Trend justification: This species is considered restricted to mature forest (Watling 2001). Although the rate of conversion of old-growth native forest to mahogany plantations has slowed significantly, logging and subsistence farming still persist within the range. However, this appears to be largely undetected by remote sensing data which indicate only minimal forest loss (Global Forest Watch 2023, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Forest clearance, with upland areas of Taveuni being a key area, is ongoing for (sometimes large scale) cultivation of kava (Piper methysticum), which is now a high value crop and widely traded and sold in the region (J. England in litt. 2020, O'Brien et al. 2021). As such, although there is no direct quantification of the population trend, the species is suspected to be declining.


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

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Fiji Taveuni Highlands

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 0 - 1200 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Azure-crested Flycatcher Myiagra azureocapilla. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/azure-crested-flycatcher-myiagra-azureocapilla on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.