Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population size that is undergoing a slow decline due to ongoing habitat loss and impacts from hunting. As such, it qualifies for listing as Near Threatened.
Population justification
Historical records indicate that this species was once fairly common, at least locally on Wetar and in West Timor, even near settlements. A paucity of records, despite extensive searching, suggested that a marked decline then occurred in West Timor (e.g. Noske and Saleh 1996). However, recent survey work in Timor-Leste revealed it to be frequent in a wide range of habitats, and surveys of Wetar in 2008 showed it to be "widespread and fairly common" at all tropical forest sites (Trainor et al. 2004, 2009). A recent visit to the Oecusse enclave in Timor-Leste however found lower records in this region (C. Trainor in litt. 2020). The population on Rote is additionally suggested to be very small, estimated at c. 100-200 individuals (C. Trainor in litt. 2020). Taking this into account therefore, it is suspected that the population may still number less than 10,000 mature individuals, placed here in the band of 2,500-9,999.
Trend justification
Tree cover loss within the species' range equates to 6-7% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). However, habitat loss may not be a severe threat as the species is highly mobile and presumably able to access necessary fruit resources over a large area (C. Trainor in litt. 2005). Recent survey work in Timor-Leste has also revealed it to be frequent in a wide range of habitats, and surveys of Wetar in 2008 showed it to be "widespread and fairly common" at all tropical forest sites (Trainor et al. 2004, 2009). Extensive forest also remains on Wetar (Baptista et al. 2020, Global Forest Watch 2022). The species is however intensely hunted on much of Timor (C. Trainor in litt. 2005, Baptista et al. 2020), likely adding an extra 5% loss, and driving declines beyond the rate of forest loss alone. The overall population is therefore suspected of declining at a maximum rate of 11-12%, and as such, declines are placed here in the band of of 5-15% over three generations.
Turacoena modesta is restricted to Timor-Leste, West Timor and Wetar and Rote, Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
It inhabits primary and tall secondary monsoon-forest, often where this habitat is drier or more open, and also vine thickets, thickly vegetated gullies and eucalyptus woodland with dense understorey, from sea-level to 1,300 m (Mauro 2003, C. Trainor in litt. 2005, Trainor et al. 2008). As it has been found in "more or less open areas near villages", it probably has a degree of tolerance to habitat degradation, and in Timor-Leste appears to be more common in patchy landscapes: forest edge, secondary forest, woodland with scattered figs, Eucalyptus savanna or non-Eucalyptus woodlands with tropical forest trees in gullies or on scattered rock outcrops (C. Trainor in litt. 2005). Singles or pairs forage in the lower-middle storey, with groups congregating at fruiting trees (C. Trainor in litt. 2005), and it probably moves seasonally in response to fruiting patterns.
Loss of monsoon-forest has been severe in its range, with an estimated 50% decline in Timor-Leste's remaining montane forest cover during Indonesian rule in 1975-1999. Monsoon forests now cover an estimated 4% of West Timor, scattered in about seven unprotected patches that are continually declining in size owing to excessive grazing and burning. On Wetar, while much forest is inaccessible, that near the coast is under continuing pressure from agriculture and logging. Mining and road building are also potential threats on the island (Trainor et al. 2009), with roads built for bird tours may potentially open access to hunting (C. Trainor in litt. 2020). However, habitat loss may not be a severe threat as the species is highly mobile and presumably able to access necessary fruit resources over a large area (C. Trainor in litt. 2005). Extensive forest also remains on Wetar (Baptista et al. 2020, Global Forest Watch 2022) and forest loss in general has remained low over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) over the species's range. Pigeons are hunted intensively on Timor, and the species allows close approach, perches on low branches and concentrates at fruiting trees, rendering it susceptible to hunters; local villagers have stated that 20-30 birds/day could be shot by focusing on fruiting trees (C. Trainor in litt. 2005).
Conservation Actions Underway
Several protected areas have been proposed in West Timor, and one on Wetar. The most important for the species are likely to be Gunung Mutis/Timau, Bipolo and Camplong, on West Timor, and Gunung Arnau on Wetar.
38.5 cm. Medium-sized, dark, slender dove. Dark bluish-slate, paler on head and underparts and almost black on long wings and tail. Greenish iridescence on crown, nape, neck, breast and upper mantle. Yellow orbital skin. Similar spp. Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis is more stocky and shorter-tailed, has red legs, red-and-yellow bill and is highly glossed with purple and green. Voice Six-second, accelerating series of medium-pitched, upslurred, disyllabic hoo-wuk notes.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E., Martin, R.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Davidson, P., Harding, M., Khwaja, N., Mahood, S., Taylor, J., Tobias, J., Trainor, C. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Cuckoo-Dove Turacoena modesta. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-cuckoo-dove-turacoena-modesta 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.