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

Justification of Red List category
This species occurs on a single island, where its population is relatively small and is inferred to be in continuing decline due to forest loss. It has therefore been classified as Vulnerable.

Population justification
Two similar-sized and intensively studied congeners - Morepork N. novaeseelandiae in New Zealand and Southern Boobook N. boobook in Australia - have territory sizes that typically range 59-307 ha (Olsen et al. 2011, Pryde and Green 2016), equivalent to densities of 0.3-1.5 mature individuals/km². Experts familiar with these species have indicated that in old-growth forest, N. roseoaxillaris is heard at similar frequencies to N. novaeseelandiae and N. boobook such that these territory sizes are considered a suitable estimation of density for the present species (G. Dutson pers. comm. 2016, J. Bergmark in litt. 2021). If all of the island was occupied (c.3,100 km²), these densities would yield a population size of c.2,100-10,300 mature individuals. However, it was recorded from only two out of nine study sites by Danielsen et al. (2010) indicating that even in suitable habitat it may be scarce and Mittermeier et al. (2018) always found the species to be uncommon and restricted to forest, suggesting that it occurs at significantly lower densities or is absent from logged or heavily disturbed areas. For these reasons, the species is estimated to have a population size of 2,500-9,999 mature individuals and may be at the lower end of this range.

Trend justification
Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that over the last three generations (15.6 years; Bird et al. 2020) lowland forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to c.4-7%. Mittermeier et al. (2018) always found the species to be uncommon and restricted to forest, suggesting that it occurs at significantly lower densities or is absent from logged or heavily disturbed areas. Consequently, the species is inferred to be declining and is suspected to have declined at a rate equal to that of forest loss. The overall trend in this species' range is of increased forest loss since c.2010 (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and in some years (e.g. 2014) has reached as high as 0.6% in a single year. These losses are not expected to slow or cease, with much of lowland Makira under existing logging licenses and concessions (Danielsen et al. 2010, Katovai et al. 2015, Mittermeier et al. 2018).

Ninox roseoaxillaris is endemic to the Solomon Islands, where it occurs on Makira and possibly also on Ugi and Santa Catalina. It is known from only a few records, and is thought to be uncommon or rare (Dutson 2011).

It inhabits lowland forest up to 600 m, with some roosting in thickets. Apparently absent from degraded, selectively logged and cleared areas (Mittermeier et al. 2018).

The main threat to this species is forest loss in its range (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Much of lowland Makira is under existing or planned timber licenses (Danielsen et al. 2010, Katovai et al. 2015) and forest is also being slowly degraded by clearance for subsistence gardens.

Conservation and Research Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known.

Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the population size and trends. Monitor population trends. Monitor the extent and condition of suitable habitat. Further research its tolerance of degraded forest across an altitudinal gradient. Work with local land-owning communities to protect significant areas of remaining primary forest on Makira.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A., North, A., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributors
Bergmark, J. & Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Makira Owl Athene roseoaxillaris. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/makira-owl-athene-roseoaxillaris 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.