LC
Crested Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena crassirostris



Justification

Justification of Red List category

The species 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). Although the population trend is suspected to be decreasing, it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified and hence does not 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 been quantified, but the species is described as generally uncommon, although locally common (Gibbs et al. 2001, Dutson 2011). It is described as being rare on Bougainville, as widespread and present at many localities on Santa Isabel, and as reasonably common on Kolombangara, Guadalcanal and San Cristobal (Baptista et al. 2020).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining owing to forest loss and degradation. Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that in the three generations to 2021, forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to c.7-9%. This may accelerate slightly (to a rate equivalent to 10-12% over three generations) in the future based on losses in 2016-2021, although the preferred steep hill forest is under less threat from logging and clearance and the species is thought to also occur in secondary forest (Dutson 2011). Hunting may be an additional threat; the current rate of decline is therefore tentatively placed in the range 1-19% over three generations.

Distribution and population

Reinwardtoena crassirostris is a large pigeon endemic to Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) and the Solomon Islands.

Ecology

It inhabits primary forest and occasionally secondary growth in lowland and montane areas to a maximum of 1,500 m, more usually to 1,000 m (Cain and Galbraith 1956, Schodde 1977, Coates 1985, Webb 1992, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, Buckingham et al. 1995, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997-1998, R. James in litt. 1999) and is considered a frugivore (Davies et al. 2015). It is commonest in steep hills at 500–900 m (Dutson 2011).

Threats

The lowland forests across the region are being extensively logged, likely causing a significant decline in this species; hunting may be a minor additional threat. It is most common in steep hills unsuitable for logging, and it usually feeds on Schefflera fruits which commonly grow in secondary growth (R. James in litt. 1999).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the species' total population size. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Monitor levels of hunting pressure. Protect lowland and hill forest throughout its range. Discourage hunting through awareness programmes in villages.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Derhé, M., Dutson, G., Gibbs, D., James, R., Mahood, S., North, A. & O'Brien, A.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Crested Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena crassirostris. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/crested-cuckoo-dove-reinwardtoena-crassirostris on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.