Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to the twin islands of Biak-Supiori but despite the very small distribution the population size is not suspected to approach thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion C. The population is suspected to be declining due to an ongoing slow rate of forest cover loss. The extent of occurrence, only 3,600 km2, indicates that the species may be at risk, although the population is not severely fragmented and there are parts of the range where the main threat is not believed to apply. In conjunction with the very small extent of occurrence, the species is considered to approach the thresholds for listing as threatened, meeting Criterion B1b(iii) but not a second subcriterion. Accordingly, Biak Paradise-kingfisher is assessed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
This species is poorly known and no population estimates are available, although the species is described as common (Pratt and Beehler 2015, Beehler and Pratt 2016).
Trend justification
This species is considered to be moderately forest dependent (Beehler & Pratt 2016). There has been a slow rate of forest cover loss, up to 3–4% over the past decade (data from Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and as a forest-dependent species is suspected to be declining. No direct assessment of rate of population change has been made for the species.
Tanysiptera riedelii is endemic to the twin islands of Biak-Supiori off Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia (Beehler et al. 1986). It is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of Common Paradise-kingfisher T. galeata but there are significant morphological differences (Forshaw 1985, Sibley and Monroe 1990, Sibley and Monroe 1993). It is reported to be fairly common (Beehler and Pratt 2016).
This species occurs in primary, secondary and logged forest up to 600 m (Gibbs 1993, Poulsen and Frolander 1994, Eastwood 1996b, B. Beehler and S. van Balen in litt. 2000, M. Van Beirs in litt. 2000, Beehler and Pratt 2016).
Forest on Biak has come under heavy pressure from logging and subsistence farming, though large-scale logging has not been economically feasible for some time (Wikramanayake et al. 2002). The rate of forest cover loss recorded through satellite monitoring has been slow in the past two decades, and over the past ten years the maximum rate is estimated at 3-4% (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species has some tolerance of degraded forest but does require forest cover. It is unclear how this low rate of forest cover loss will be affecting the population, but it is estimated that the extent and quality of habitat is suffering an ongoing decline, hence it is suspected to be causing a slow population reduction.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is assumed to be present in the 110 km2 Biak-Utara protected area and throughout the 420 km2 Pulau Supiori Nature Reserve (UNEP-WCMC 2021a,b), both of which comprise virtually impenetrable limestone areas (Wikramanayake et al. 2002).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Obtain a direct population estimate for the species. Survey to confirm its presence in the Biak-Utara protected area.
37 cm, including tail-streamers. Attractive kingfisher. Both sexes have a brilliant pale blue crown and nape, dark blue upperparts, and white rump and tail. The central rectrices are 15–16 cm longer than the rest and are white at the base and blue in the narrow central portion with white spatulate tips. White underparts and bill orange-red.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Beehler, B.M., Bishop, K.D., Holmes, T., van Balen, S. & van Beirs, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Biak Paradise-kingfisher Tanysiptera riedelii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/biak-paradise-kingfisher-tanysiptera-riedelii on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.