EN
Long-legged Thicketbird Cincloramphus rufus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note

Megalurulus rufus (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) was previously listed as Trichocichla rufa.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- D D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2020 Endangered D
2018 Endangered D
2016 Endangered D
2012 Endangered D
2008 Endangered D1
2006 Endangered
2004 Data Deficient
2000 Data Deficient
1996 Critically Endangered
1994 Critically Endangered
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 11,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 50-249 mature individuals poor estimated 2005
Population trend stable poor suspected 1998-2008
Generation length 3 years - - -

Population justification: It is thought to be locally common in ideal habitat, but very patchy and absent from most forest, so the total population is likely to be very small.

During surveys in 2002-2005 and in February 2012, the following numbers have been reported: At Wabu Forest Reserve, 12 territories were recorded in 2003 (Dutson and Masibalavu 2004), and 16 in 2012); At Sovi Basin, three pairs were reported at Wainasa Creek in 2005, and 20 territories in 2012; At Monasavu, two sites each comprising c.2 pairs were recorded in 2002-2005, and 25 territories in 2012; At Namosi, two territories were recorded in 2012; At Mt Korobaba, it was heard on three occasions in 2003, and one territory was recorded in 2012; and at Tomaniivi, there were no records in 2002-2005, and two territories were recorded in 2012 (Dutson and Masibalavu 2004; Masibalavu and Dutson 2006; G. Dutson and V. Masibalavu in litt. 2006; V. Masibalavu in litt. 2007, 2012). Territories have been reported to comprise anything from several pairs with juveniles to lone pairs or a singing bird (Dutson and Masibalavu 2004, G. Dutson and V. Masibalavu in litt. 2006).

Based on extrapolations from density estimates produced by fieldwork, the population size is estimated to number 50-249 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2006), although it could potentially be greater than this.

Trend justification: Although the species is known from only very few sites, almost all are on steep terrain unsuitable for logging or cultivation, and no specific threats have been identified, so the population is suspected to be stable. Over ten years from 2009 - 2019, approximately 1.6% of forest with at least 50% canopy cover was lost within the species's range (Global Forest Watch 2020).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Fiji extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Fiji Greater Tomaniivi
Fiji Rairaimatuku Highlands
Fiji Sovi Basin
Fiji Viti Levu Southern Highlands
Fiji Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) major resident
Altitude 80 - 1000 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Energy production & mining Mining & quarrying Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Energy production & mining Renewable energy Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Herpestes auropunctatus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Long-legged Thicketbird Cincloramphus rufus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/long-legged-thicketbird-cincloramphus-rufus 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.