VU
Bacan Myzomela Myzomela batjanensis



Justification

Justification of Red List category
This newly-recognized species has a very small range on a single island and could be threatened by habitat loss. It is considered to have a small population size, which is likely declining as a result of habitat loss. Therefore, it is listed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
Assuming that only a fraction of its suitable habitat is occupied and using population densities for conspecifics, this species is estimated at just larger than 2,500 mature individuals (rising to >10,000 if all of the suitable habitat is occupied). Therefore, the population size is tentatively placed in the range 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Deforestation rates from Ł. Tracewski (unpubl. data following Tracewski et al. 2016) suggest that the species has lost c.10.5% of suitable habitat over the past 3 generations (18 years), which is believed to be causing a population decline.

Distribution and population

This newly-recognised species is found only on Bacan Island, off southwest Halmahera, Indonesia (Higgins et al. 2016). Extensive montane forest remains on Bacan, and the species is presumed to tolerate secondary habitats (J. Eaton in litt. 2016). Ł. Tracewski (unpubl. data following Tracewski et al. 2016) estimated the maximum Area of Occupancy (calculated as the remaining forested area within the species’s range) to be c.90 km2.

Ecology

The species occupies primary montane forest and tall secondary forest including moss forest, mainly 1,500–2,200 m, but possibly down to 800 m.

Threats

Deforestation rates from Ł. Tracewski (unpubl. data following Tracewski et al. 2016) suggest that the species has lost c.10.5% of suitable habitat over the past 3 generations (18 years). Habitat is lost due to conversion into arable land and into plantations.

Conservation actions

Conservation and research actions in place 
None are known.

Conservation and research actions needed
Carry out surveys to estimate the population density and total population size. Assess the species's tolerance of secondary habitats.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Westrip, J., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Symes, A.

Contributors
Tracewski, Ł.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bacan Myzomela Myzomela batjanensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bacan-myzomela-myzomela-batjanensis 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.