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

Justification of Red List category
While this diminutive parrot is thought to have a moderately small population and range, it is suspected that the population is stable. There is not believed to be a significant threat to the species of trapping, due to the difficulty in keeping the species alive in captivity. Rates of forest cover loss have been relatively low over the recent past and the species' ability to tolerate degraded habitat casts doubt on there being a significant ongoing decline and indicates that it does not occur in few locations. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as well distributed in good numbers in lowland primary and secondary forests (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Collar and Boesman 2020). There has been no noticeable population decline in the past twenty years (M. Halaouate in litt. 2022).

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends, but the anecdotal frequency of reporting does not appear to have changed since Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee (1939). The species was suspected to have declined owing to habitat loss, but the observed tolerance of degraded forest and use of forest gardens suggests minimal population effect of the recent relatively slow rate of forest cover loss (c.3.8% over the past ten years; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Anecdotally, no discernible change in abundance has been evident over the past twenty years (M. Halaouate in litt. 2022), hence the current population trend is suspected to be stable.

Micropsitta geelvinkiana is endemic to the twin islands of Biak-Supiori and Numfor off Papua, Indonesia (Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee 1939, Bishop 1982, Beehler et al. 1986, Beehler and Pratt 2016, Collar and Boesman 2020, eBird 2021). It is restricted to the lowlands with all records apparently below 150 m (Collar and Boesman 2020), but within this elevation it is found throughout the three main islands and in good numbers on Biak-Supiori at least (Collar and Boesman 2020). Other authors report that it occurs in small numbers (Gibbs 1993, Poulsen and Frolander 1994, Eastwood 1996, B. Beehler and S. van Balen in litt. 2000, M. Van Beirs in litt. 2000). Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee (1939) report the species as being found in original forest and being shy and wary, once or twice flocks of 4-5 were noted in large remnant trees in secondary forest. The large reduction in 'original forest' in lowland Biak is suspected to have reduced the overall population size, however recent rates of forest cover loss have been slow and observations from secondary forest indicates that it not likely to be suffering a continuing decline: recent birdwatching tourist trips to Biak have located the species relatively easily (e.g. Bergmark 2019, Bocos 2020).
The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is estimated at 7,600 km² from a minimum convex polygon around known and probable occurrence polygons (based on Bishop 1982, Beehler and Pratt 2016, eBird 2021). Given that the species is not thought to be targeted for the bird trade (due to the difficulty of keeping Micropsitta alive in captivity), the major threat is habitat conversion. With two significant protected areas unaffected by this threat, the number of locations cannot be assessed for the species.

It occurs in forest, secondary forest and forest gardens, apparently below 150 m though the species may occur up to 400 m. While Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee (1939) indicated that it was found in 'original' forest, and occasionally in remnant large trees in secondary forest, there are many observations from small-scale agricultural gardens with trees, as well as forest on Biak and Numfor (Beehler and Pratt 2016, eBird 2021). It appears that the species is able to tolerate degraded forest habitat relatively well.

Forest on Biak has previously been badly impacted by logging and subsistence farming, particularly the southern plains (Bishop 1982, K.D. Bishop in litt. 1996, D. Holmes in litt. 2000), though large-scale logging has not been economically feasible for some time (Wikramanayake et al. 2002). The rate of forest cover loss recorded through satellite monitoring has been relatively slow in the past two decades, and over the past ten years the maximum rate is estimated at 3.8% (data from Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is tolerant of degraded forest and appears to persist within landscapes with a large proportion of small-scale agricultural gardens, hence the population impact of the past conversion of forest on Biak and Numfor is suspected to have been less than for a more specialised forest species. Much of Supiori comprises virtually impenetrable, forested limestone mountains, which is likely to be safe from habitat degradation.
There is also a proposal for a spaceport on the eastern side of Biak, which would cause the loss of 6.5 km² of Protection Forest (Perwitasari and Susanti 2019) and may result in further development (e.g. expanded and improved road infrastructure and increased settlement in the area): again, the impact on this species is unlikely to be as severe as for species more closely tied to intact forest.
All Micropsitta are very difficult to keep alive in captivity and no member of the genus appears to have been successfully bred. It is accordingly less frequently targeted for capture for the bird trade than co-occurring parrots such as Eos cyanogenia or Trichoglossus rosenbergi, and this is not considered a significant threat for the species at present.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The species occurs in the two protected areas of Biak-Utara (covering 110 km²) and Pulau Supiori (420 km²) Nature Reserves (Sujatnika et al. 1995).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess population size. Use remote sensing to assess forest cover and trends. Regularly monitor at certain sites throughout its range to determine population trends. Protect significant areas of suitable forest on all islands where it occurs.

Text account compilers
Martin, R.

Contributors
Beehler, B.M., Bishop, K.D., Dutson, G., Halaouate, M., Holmes, D., Taylor, J., van Balen, S. & van Beirs, M.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Geelvink Pygmy-parrot Micropsitta geelvinkiana. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/geelvink-pygmy-parrot-micropsitta-geelvinkiana on 24/12/2024.
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 24/12/2024.