Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species is poorly known, it seems likely that there are only a small number of mature individuals with a continuing decline in number. It is thought likely that the species has a small Area of Occupancy with fewer than 10 locations. For these reasons, the species is classified as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the range is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Trend justification
It remains common and tame above 3,000 m in the Star Mountains, where the Ketengban people protect the species for cultural reasons, but it has become rare in other areas owing to hunting pressure, especially where access has improved in recent years. The species's population is therefore inferred to be declining. The likely rate of decline has not been estimated. Data from Tracewski et al. (2016) show no forest loss within this species’s range between 2000 and 2012.
Macgregoria pulchra is distributed in small disjunct populations in the highest mountains of New Guinea, namely the Snow, Oranje and Star Mountains of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, and the Wharton and Owen Stanley ranges of Papua New Guinea. The fact that the species is absent from large areas of the central highlands of the island suggests that there have been historical extinctions due to key threats such as habitat change and hunting pressure (Barker and Croft 1977, Frith and Beehler 1998). It remains common and tame above 3,000 m in the Star Mountains, where the Ketengban people protect the species for cultural reasons (Frith and Beehler 1998), but is rare on Mt Albert Edward in the Whartons, with only one record since 1933 (Safford and Smart 1996). The species was found to be fairly common in this area, but moved with apparent changes in fruiting and habitat (B. Beehler in litt. 2012). Elsewhere, it is a popular game bird due to it being tame, site-faithful and quite conspicuous (Beehler 1981, Frith and Beehler 1998), and it has become rare in several areas. Whilst it inhabits remote areas that are inaccessible to hunters, but the development of new roads, such as in Wamena, enables greater access, and subsequently the species has declined at this site (P. Gregory in litt. 1999, D. Gibbs in litt. 2000).There are no population estimates but most records are of only one to three birds. Its occupied range has been estimated at less than 1,000 km2 with minimal interchange between the isolated subpopulations (Frith and Beehler 1998).
It is restricted to subalpine forest, including patches within alpine grassland, dominated by its major food-plant, the podocarp Dacrycarpus compactus. Its partial nomadism and its breeding cycle are tied to the unpredictable fruiting of this tree (Beehler 1981, Beehler 1983, Beehler 1991a, b, Hicks and Burrows 1992, Frith and Beehler 1998). Birds also forage for other fruits in low bushes and on the ground, and in epiphytes and foliage, presumably for arthropods (Clapp 1986, Safford and Smart 1996, Frith and Beehler 1998). It is most commonly recorded between 3,200-3,500 m, but occasionally from 2,700-4,000 m (Frith and Beehler 1998). It has a clutch size of 1 (Donaghey 2015).
Its absence from great swathes of the central highlands suggests historic extinctions from habitat changes and hunting pressures (Barker and Croft 1977, Frith and Beehler 1998). It is a popular gamebird, being tame, conspicuous and site-faithful (Beehler 1981, Frith and Beehler 1998). However shotguns are essentially no longer available in New Guinea making hunting (with traditional means) more difficult. The threat from hunting is exacerbated by its nomadism and its small, fragmented populations. Whilst much of its range is remote and inaccessible to hunters, new roads such as one in Wamena in Papua, are enabling much easier access and it has declined greatly at this site (P. Gregory in litt. 1999, D. Gibbs in litt. 2000). Climate change and associated impacts on vegetation may impact negatively on this species and others dependent on tundra habitat for breeding. Data from Tracewski et al. (2016) show no forest loss within this species’s range between 2000 and 2012.
Conservation Actions Underway
This species is protected by law in both countries.
39 cm. Large, black bird with yellow semicircular wattles behind eyes and large ochre wing-patch. Similar spp. Common Sooty Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus (22 cm) is dark with yellow eye-patches but lacks wing-patches and is much smaller. Voice Calls constantly. Rapidly repeated jeet..jeet.. and longer, softer peer. Hints Search only in its highly distinctive habitat. Conspicuous through its calling, noisy flight and habit of perching in open in forest edge or patches.
Text account compilers
Stattersfield, A., North, A., Dutson, G., Derhé, M., Westrip, J., O'Brien, A., Bird, J., Elliott, N., Pilgrim, J.
Contributors
Beehler, B.M., Gibbs, D. & Gregory, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Macgregor's Honeyeater Macgregoria pulchra. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/macgregors-honeyeater-macgregoria-pulchra on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.