• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not accurately been quantified. Although somewhat locally distributed given its dependence on inundated or floating grasses, it is common where found (Clement 1999, Pratt and Beehler 2015, eBird 2022) with flocks of up to 50 reported in some areas (eBird 2022). Precautionarily, the population is here suspected to number 10,000-19,999 although this requires quantitative confirmation.

Trend justification
No population data are available on this species' trend. It is precautionarily suspected to be in slow decline owing to habitat degradation (especially the conversion of wet grasslands) and perhaps trapping, although eBird (2022) data suggest that, at least at key sites, populations have been relatively stable in the ten years to 2022.

It is known from an area of the Trans-Fly region of New Guinea, spanning both Papua, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

It inhabits savannas, marshes and riverine grasses, often on floating islands, but sometimes visiting rice crops (Beehler et al. 1986, Coates 1990, Gregory 1995). Nests are made of grass and lined with soft seed heads and are found in tall, floating grasses (Pratt and Beehler 2015).

It may be threatened as a result of destruction of reedbeds by introduced Javan Deer Rusa timorensis and by encroachment of woodland on grasslands, possibly promoted by the activities of pigs (although woodlands might also represent suitable habitat for this species) (N. Stronach in litt. 1993, 1994). In the dry season, birds concentrate around drinking pools and are susceptible to trapping for the cage-bird trade; 250 were being exported from Merauke Airport in August 1993 (N. Bostock in litt. 1993). Between 1998 and 2005, over 1,200 individuals were imported into EU countries (UNEP-WCMC 2005), although more recent data are lacking (per 2023).

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Accurately assess the population size. Quantify the impact of trapping. Control the trade in this species. Regularly monitor the population at well-known sites. Research its relative abundance in different habitats.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Bishop, K.D., Bostock, N., Derhé, M., Dutson, G., Mahood, S., North, A., O'Brien, A., Stattersfield, A. & Stronach, N.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Mannikin Lonchura stygia. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-mannikin-lonchura-stygia on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.