Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is considered Near Threatened due to a suspected moderately small population size, coupled with a moderately rapid population decline in response to habitat loss and degradation, as well as trapping for the cagebird trade.
Population justification
Lambert et al. (1993) estimated a population size of c.10,000 individuals, and this is repeated by Juniper and Parr (1998), although the evidence for this estimate is weak and there has been no robust attempt to calculate its population size. Nonetheless, in the absence of any additional data, a broader estimate of 5,000–20,000 individuals is accepted, although this requires further research to confirm. Descriptively, it was considered common in Timor-Leste (Trainor et al. 2008) and on Rote (Verbelen et al. 2017), although described as 'uncommon' in parts of the latter (Trainor 2005) and 'rare' in West Timor (Eaton et al. 2021). On Wetar, it was described as 'one of the least frequently recorded...range-restricted birds' (Trainor et al. 2009). Citizen science data (eBird 2024) support the notion that these descriptions of abundance remain broadly correct.
Trend justification
Assumed to be declining in the face of threats, although the evidence underpinning this assumption is currently poor. The two main threats for this species are forest loss (and degradation) and trapping. Forest cover loss within this species' range has amounted to a total of c.5–7% over the past three generations (15 years: 2008–2023) (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). The extent to which this translates into population reduction is difficult to determine, in part due to this species' habitat tolerances (it occurs in scrubby second growth habitats and plantations: Trainor 2005, Trainor et al. 2009, Eaton et al. 2021) but also its reliance on hollows for nesting. In addition to habitat pressures, trapping is considered a significant threat to this species, and is likely the cause of its rapid declines in West Timor (it was, e.g., described as common around Kupang by Juniper and Parr [1998] but evidently is not so now [Eaton et al. 2021, eBird 2024]). It has not frequently been found in trade markets, but has been documented sporadically (Chng et al. 2015, 2018), including as far away as Sumatra (e.g. Shepherd 2006), and much of the market for this species is probably local and/or not well captured by trade market surveys. Given some reports of the species becoming scarcer, a precautionary approach is taken here, with possible ongoing population declines of 5–19% over the past, current and future three generations.
Aprosmictus jonquillaceus is restricted to Timor and Wetar, Indonesia and Timor Leste, where it occurs on Timor, Wetar and Roti.
The species is found up to 2,600 m in monsoon forest, acacia savanna, lightly wooded cultivation and scrubby second growth (mostly below 1,500 m). On Wetar, it is most often found along broad stream channels and typically feeds in Casuarina trees (Trainor et al. 2009).
The chief threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation, particularly that caused by shifting agriculture and plantations. Trapping is a (perhaps the main) threat to this species. The extent to which either of these is considered to be driving population declines is almost entirely unknown, but combined are suspected of driving ongoing population declines of 5-19% over three generations.
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. No other conservation measures specific to this species are known.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Jonquil Parrot Aprosmictus jonquillaceus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/jonquil-parrot-aprosmictus-jonquillaceus on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.