Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population size, suspected to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
This species is described as rare throughout its restricted range, with very few recent observations (Dutson 2011, Callaghan et al. 2019). It must have been locally common when the Whitney expedition collected a total of 37 specimens from each of the three mountains visited in 1930 (Mayr 1931). Subsequently, few ornithologists have visited these mountains, but the species appears to be very localised and rare. In 1990, one individual was seen at 750 m on the slopes of Mt Ire (P. Scofield in litt. 1992, 1994), in 1994, a single bird was seen at 1,100 m above Arullange village (Gibbs 1996), and in 1997, a pair was seen at 1,160 m above Arullange (G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997). None were seen in 1997 on the 940 m summit of Mt Alsa'an (G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997). Two individuals were observed during surveys of East Kwaio in 2018 (Callaghan et al. 2019). Overall there have been very few recent observations, although the species is described as being well-known to the local community and is thought to occur at at least three geographic localities (Callaghan et al. 2019). The total population is suspected to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals, placed in the band 250-999 (G. Dutson in litt. 2000), equating to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals.
Trend justification
There are no data on population trends, although the species appears to be recorded less frequently than in the past (Dutson 2011, Callaghan et al. 2019). It remains uncertain whether this species has declined or whether it remains locally common on mountains unvisited in recent years.
Rhipidura malaitae is endemic to the high mountains of Malaita, Solomon Islands.
The 1930 specimens were recorded as taken at 600-1,200 m but searches in 1994 and 1997 only found it above 1,100 m, the highest altitudes reached. Most recent records have been of singles or pairs in mixed-species feeding flocks in montane forest. It appears to be a typical fantail in all respects except its rarity (Mayr 1931; P. Scofield in litt. 1992, 1994; Gibbs 1996, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997). Based on recent and historical records, this species is thought to be uncommon above 950 m elevation in at least three geographic localities (Callaghan et al. 2019).
It occurs at altitudes where the only human disturbance is from hunters and other people using cross-island trails. Other possible threats are introduced disease and mammalian predators. The species is also vulnerable to climate change, which is likely to cause declines in the area of suitable montane habitat (J. van der Ploeg in litt. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.
16 cm. Rather plain, washed-out dull orange fantail. Black eye is prominent in bland face. Underparts, especially throat, are paler. Similar spp. Rufous Fantail R. rufifrons has black and white throat and tail. Voice Quiet see-seep contact calls; song unknown. Hints Very difficult to see, it is often complicated to arrange permission to search along the few cross-island trails which reach suitable altitudes.
Text account compilers
Vine, J.
Contributors
Derhé, M., Dutson, G., Ekstrom, J., Mahood, S., Scofield, P., Stattersfield, A. & van der Ploeg, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Malaita Fantail Rhipidura malaitae. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/malaita-fantail-rhipidura-malaitae 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.