Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is among New Guinea's most poorly known (Beehler and Pratt 2016). There are few sightings from the past three decades, and it is currently recorded from only five localities spread across the vast Mamberamo basin of the north-west Papuan lowlands; there is, however, no biogeographic reason to suppose it may not occur more widely in the region in areas of suitable habitat. Although there are few recent data, there is no plausible threat to this species in its range. The rate of forest cover loss within the altitudinal range of the species is minimal and this species is tolerant of, if not has preference towards, second growth and disturbed habitats (principally along watercourses). The population is therefore suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats and it does not appear likely to approach any thresholds for listing as a threatened species. For this reason it is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
This is a very poorly known species and no population estimates or approximations of subpopulation structure are available. It is however reported to be common (Beehler and Pratt 2016).
Trend justification
This is a poorly known species, and trends are uncertain, but the level of habitat protection in its range and its occurrence in modified habitats means it is probably secure. Forest loss in this species' range has averaged <1% over the past three generations (11.6 years; Bird et al. 2020) (Global Forest Watch [2021], using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and given this species' apparent tolerance of habitat degradation, there is no reason to suspect a population decline.
Philemon brassi is endemic to northern Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia. It was discovered in 1939 on a single lagoon on the Idenburg River which may not have been visited subsequently (Rand 1940, Beehler 1985, J. M. Diamond in litt. 1987), and has been found along the lower Mamberamo River (B. M. Beehler in litt. 1990, Stattersfield et al. 1998), the Tirawiwa and Logari rivers, 250 km from the Idenburg site (Mack and Alonso 2000), and probably on the Rouffaer river (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2000). This region is very poorly known and it may be widespread, but perhaps localised, in the vast Mameramo basin (Beehler and Pratt 2016).
On the Idenburg river, this species was common in small parties in flooded cane grass and dense second growth around a lagoon at c.50 m (Rand 1940). On the Tirawiwa and Logari rivers, it was locally common in trees beside the rivers and other disturbed areas at 80-275 m (Mack and Alonso 2000).
This species may be threatened by various large-scale timber and agricultural schemes and a proposed dam on the Mamberamo gorge (Sujatnika et al. 1995), but all the known populations are currently safe, as much lowland forest and floodplains of the Mamberamo and Idenburg rivers is encompassed within the c.10,000 km2 Foja Nature Reserve (Stattersfield et al. 1998), and the region remains largely inaccessible and undisturbed. Forest loss in the past decade in its range has been minimal (Global Forest Watch [2021], using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although some of its range is conferred protection in the Foja Nature Reserve.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in areas within and surrounding the species' known range to determine the full extent of distribution and abundance. Monitor occupied sites to determine whether declines are occurring. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Ensure the continued protection of the Foja Nature Reserve.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Beehler, B.M., Benstead, P., Bishop, K.D., Diamond, J.M., Gilroy, J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Brass's Friarbird Philemon brassi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/brasss-friarbird-philemon-brassi 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.