Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
While Javan Plover is suspected to have a small population size, this is known to be larger than the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable under the small population criterion and all published information on trends indicates a stable population, and potentially an increase in the area of suitable habitat within the range. While threats such as egg-collecting may pose a local threat in some areas, there is no evidence for a continuing decline in the population, and the decline previously suspected for the species is not supported. The range of the species has been greatly increased in recent years through improved knowledge and additional surveys, considerably reducing the likelihood that the true population size is as small as previously suspected. As such the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion.
For these reasons, the species has been reassessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
Iqbal et al. (2013b) suggest the population may fall in the range 2,000-6,000 individuals, roughly equivalent to 1,333-4,000 mature individuals; placed here in the range 1,300-4,000 mature individuals. However, Java alone has been estimated to hold 2,000 individuals (Centurioni 2010), and with the much enlarged range now known it is likely that the population size is considerably larger than suggested by Iqbal et al. (2013b). If the species does occur as multiple subpopulations, the largest is therefore inferred to be larger than 1,000 mature individuals.
During the ‘Big Month’ citizen science event (conducted in January 2020 comprising 22,054 checklists) across Java and Bali, the species was recorded in 132 (1.7%) of the 7,935 tetrads (2 × 2 km squares) visited (T. Squires and S. Marsden in litt. 2020), indicating a wide distribution around the coast.
Trend justification
There are no data on population trends. However, Iqbal et al. 2013b (in Setiawan et al. 2019) had noted that records increased outside Java in recent years. This is potentially due to improved survey effort, or due to greater dispersal of individuals between islands in search of suitable habitat (brought on by rising pressure from coastal developments) (Iqbal et al. 2013b in Setiawan et al. 2019). Surveys on the Indralaya floodplain in southern Sumatra also noted an increasing trend between 2013 and 2018 (Setiawan et al. 2019). It is therefore possible that the species may see similar trends in other parts of its range. This however requires confirmation pending further surveys, particularly due to pressure from human disturbance, coastal development, and egg collection throughout the species's range. Therefore, despite not being at immediate risk, the Javan Plover is suspected to be stable or possibly declining.
Charadrius javanicus was previously considered to only be found Java and the Kangean Islands, Indonesia (BirdLife International 2001), but has also been recently reported from Sumatra, Sulawesi, Meno Island, Semau Island, Flores and Timor-Leste (Trainor 2011, Iqbal et al. 2013a,b, Setiawan et al. 2019). Specifically, during the ‘Big Month’ citizen science event (conducted in January 2020), it was recorded on the coasts of Java, Madura and Bali, as well as at four inland locations on Java up to 50 km from the coast (T. Squires and S. Marsden in litt. 2020).The taxonomic status of this species is extremely unclear and records attributable to it are therefore sparse; nevertheless, it was recently found to be common in southern Madura. The species is also thought to have had an increase in records recently outside Javan and in parts of Sumatra (Iqbal et al. 2013b, Setiawan et al. 2019). Whilst it may prove widespread, its population remains small and is therefore suspected to be decreasing.
It occurs on sandy beaches, mudflats and adjacent open areas around coasts; although there is a record from 30 km inland and it has been reported in dry rice fields (Iqbal et al. 2013a).
The species may see pressure from human disturbance of coastal habitats within its range, and is also susceptible to coastal development projects. Its eggs may also be collected for food (Iqbal et al. 2013b).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are currently known.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E., Hermes, C., Martin, R.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Iqbal, M., Mahood, S., Marsden, S., Squires, T., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/javan-plover-charadrius-javanicus 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.