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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and so 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). The population is suspected to be in decline, but the rate of decline is potentially only negligible and so the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is estimated to be small, 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 population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.

Trend justification
The species suffers from some hunting pressure within its range because its long plumes are used in traditional head-dresses. Human population growth within its altitudinal range may lead to further negative impacts in the future, with shifting agriculture for the growing human population and localised logging being potential ongoing threats. However, given that there has been a reduction in hunting in Papua New Guinea due to a law preventing the killing of birds with non-traditional means (i.e. shotguns) (B. Beehler in litt. 2012), and that <1% of forest was lost plus 1% logged across the highlands region of Papua New Guinea between 2002-2014 (Bryan and Shearman 2015), the rate of population decline may in fact be negligible.

This species is patchily distributed in the mountains of western and central New Guinea, from the Vogelkop of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, to the Torricelli and Bewani Mountains in Papua New Guinea and in the central ranges eastward to the Kratke Range. Although it has been described as absent from some areas (Frith and Beehler 1998), recent new records indicate that its distribution in the Central Ranges is continuous (Beehler and Pratt 2016). It is generally scarce to rare or locally absent, and often where reported to be locally common, for instance on Mt Bosavi, it occurs at low population densities (Coates 1990, Frith and Beehler 1998, I. Burrows in litt. 1999). In the Tamrau Mountains on Vogelkop it is thought to be common (B. Beehler in litt. 2007, 2012), as well as in the highly populous Tari Valley of central Papua New Guinea (including sightings in coffee gardens and close to cultivated and populated areas) and the Foja Mts of western New Guinea (B. Beehler in litt. 2012). Most of its range in Papua has not been surveyed recently but it may prove to be locally common, as in the Arfak Mountains (D. Gibbs verbally 2000). 

It is restricted to mid-montane forest at 1,800-2,150 m, occasionally from 1,280-2,550 m (Frith and Beehler 1998). It is usually found in primary forest, and is less often recorded in adjacent secondary growth and garden edges (B. Whitney in litt. 2000, B. Beehler in litt. 2012). It forages equally for fruit and small animals in the forest canopy, often probing moss and epiphytes for arthropods (Beehler and Pruett-Jones 1983, Kwapena 1985, Frith and Beehler 1998). In areas cohabiting with E. meyeri, E. fastosus is found at lower elevations (Beehler and Pratt 2016). Can be seen in mixed species flocks but is predominantly solitary (Pratt and Beehler 2015).

It is hunted for its tail feathers and for food; however, there has been a reduction in hunting in Papua New Guinea due to a law preventing the killing of birds with non-traditional means (i.e. shotguns) (B. Beehler in litt. 2012). Hunters target adult males and, although the species persists in areas lacking these males, breeding success has not been investigated (B. Whitney in litt. 2000). Although the species is hunted for its plumes, it is not worn as commonly as other species and is not frequently sold (particularly in the highlands). However, a few tribal groups still use the species’s plumes and so hunting is likely to be concentrated in certain areas (B. Beehler in litt. 2012, M. Supuma in litt. 2012). Forest in the favoured geographic and altitudinal range is under pressure for clearance for agriculture by the large and increasing human population. This species may be intolerant of secondary forest, both caused by shifting agriculture and logging (Diamond 1972, Kwapena 1985, Frith and Beehler 1998); however, there remains substantial rugged inaccessible habitat for this species in both eastern and western New Guinea (B. Beehler in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is protected by law in both countries. However, 93% of land ownership rests with traditional custodians, presenting a challenge to the species's protection.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Run an awareness campaign educating people about the species and its conservation and promote alternative materials for use in traditional head-dresses. Survey gaps within the known range. Estimate population densities and sizes at known sites. Research rates of forest loss in preferred altitudinal range. Monitor numbers at the most accessible sites such as Ambua Lodge. Monitor effects of hunting bans at Ok Tedi and Crater Mountain. Monitor trade prices and quantities. Investigate hunting levels and attitudes to control amongst hunters. Create large, locally-managed forest reserves with an enforced hunting ban. Run awareness programmes for landowners. Enforce existing legislation. Utilise as a flagship species for ecotourism ventures.

Male 100 cm, female 48 cm. Large bird-of-paradise with long, decurved bill and very long tail. Male largely black, but in suitable light scale-like feathers show intense iridescence of metallic green-blues with purple washes. Female warm brown with chestnut wing-feather fringes and fine, dark brown barring on off-white underparts. Male iris red and female iris red-brown. Similar spp. Brown Sicklebill E. meyeri (which replaces it at higher altitudes) has finer, more decurved bill and pale blue eyes, male is browner and female has no chestnut on wings. Buff-tailed Sicklebill E. albertsii has short, rounded tail. Female Astrapia spp. have short bills. Voice Male gives paired, sharp, liquid quik, quik and simple nasal contact calls. Hints Ask guides below Ambua Lodge.

Text account compilers
Derhé, M., O'Brien, A., North, A., Bird, J., Westrip, J., Stattersfield, A., Dutson, G.

Contributors
Supuma, M., Gregory, P., Burrows, I., Whitney, B., Beehler, B., Dutson, G.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastosus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-sicklebill-epimachus-fastosus on 27/12/2024.
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 27/12/2024.