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

Justification of Red List category

This species has a restricted range and the area and quality of its habitat are undergoing a continuing decline as a result of ongoing forest loss and degradation. It is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population size has not been quantified but the species is reported to be locally fairly common in surveyed areas (Dutson 2011).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining owing to forest loss and degradation. In the three generations (11.4 years; Bird et al. 2020) to 2021, remote sensing data indicate that 3-5% of forest was lost in this species' range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) which is suspected to have caused a broadly equal reduction in population size, and this may accelerate slightly (to an equivalent rate of 4-6%) in the future based on losses in 2021. The species is therefore suspected to be declining at a rate within 1-9% within three generations.

Zoothera margaretae is endemic to Makira (= San Cristobal) in the Solomon Islands.

It appears to be widespread but patchily distributed from sea level to 700 m but more common in mid-montane forest in hills and lower mountains from 400-700 m (Mayr 1945, Buckingham et al. 1995, Gibbs 1996, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1998, Hornbuckle 1999, Mittermeier et al. 2018). It prefers shady gulleys in closed-canopy forest (R. James in litt. 2003), but has also been reported in overgrown gardens (Dutson 2011).

The main threat to this species is forest loss in its range. Much of the lowlands on Makira have been logged or are under logging concessions; remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) indicate ongoing forest loss within its range. Predation by invasive species including R. rattus may be an additional threat.

Conservation Actions Underway
A conservation area has been established on the central area of Makira Island, covering approximately 63,000 ha of largely undisturbed indigenous vegetation and including a large number of villages still engaged in traditional lifestyles and resource use.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Assess the population size. Research its tolerance of logged and degraded forest. Quantify the impact of R. rattus. Regularly monitor the population at well known sites. Enforce the protection afforded by the conservation area.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Dutson, G. & James, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Makira Thrush Zoothera margaretae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/makira-thrush-zoothera-margaretae 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.