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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a restricted range and is undergoing a continuing decline as a result of ongoing forest loss and degradation. It is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as relatively uncommon and little known (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Dutson 2011).

Trend justification
This species is thought to be declining as a result of ongoing forest loss on Makira. Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that in the ten years to 2021, forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to c.3-4%. The species is described as restricted to old-growth closed-canopy forest (Dutson 2011, Dutson in litt. 2016) and recent observations of the species are only from unlogged forest (Mittermeier et al. 2018) such that it is inferred to be declining as a result of forest loss, although the rate has not been quantified.

Rhipidura tenebrosa is endemic to Makira (= San Cristobal) in the Solomon Islands, where it is relatively uncommon and restricted to closed-canopy forest (Cain and Galbraith 1956, Buckingham et al. 1995, Hornbuckle 1999, Dutson 2011).

It is restricted to closed-canopy lowland forest, to a maximum of 700 m. It is most common in hills (Dutson 2011).

The main threat to this species is forest loss in its range. Much of the lowlands on Makira have been logged or are under logging concessions.

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to determine population trends. Determine habitat requirements and susceptibility to logging. Ascertain area of forest and rates of clearance across the island. Monitor numbers at sites across the island. Ensure protection of significant areas of lowland forest on Makira.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Dusky Fantail Rhipidura tenebrosa. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/dusky-fantail-rhipidura-tenebrosa 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.