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

Justification of Red List category
This species qualifies as Vulnerable as it has a very small range and is declining in response to brood-parasitism. Monitoring and assessment of the precise impact of this threat may ultimately result in a revised evaluation of the species's conservation status.

Population justification
The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
There are no new data on population trends; however, brood parasitism, facilitated by deforestation, is likely to be causing an ongoing decline at a slow to moderate rate.

Icterus bonana remains common in Martinique (to France). Surveys found densities of 2.4 birds/ha in central Martinique (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998), and the population is likely to be above 10,000 individuals. It has declined in recent years (Bulens et al. 1994, P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998), but suggestions of a dramatic decline appear unfounded (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998).

It was originally present in most habitat-types below 700 m, from semi-arid woodland, forest edge and tree plantations to rainforest, but it has been suggested that dry forests and mangroves are the most important habitats. It forages primarily in the canopy for fruit, berries and a variety of insects, either alone, in pairs or in small family groups. Breeding has been recorded from December, but generally occurs in February-July.

Deforestation has facilitated the spread of the recently established Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis, which parasitises 75% of oriole nests annually, although a recent decline in cowbird numbers has allowed a slight population recovery (P. Bulens and A. Le Dru per P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1994). There are suggestions that the native population of Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris has increased dramatically with concomitant increases in nest-predation (Jaramillo and Burke 1999), but there is little or no evidence of either increases in the grackle population or higher levels of predation (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998).

Conservation Actions Underway
It is protected by domestic legislation (Jaramillo and Burke 1999).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to assess and clarify the current status and distribution (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998). Assess the impact of brood-parasitism by M. bonariensis, and whether a control programme would be appropriate (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998). Avoid any further deforestation, as this is likely to result in M. bonariensis range expansions (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998). Initiate a public awareness campaign promoting I. bonana as Martinique's only endemic bird (P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt. 1998) and establish a captive breeding programme to support future reintroduction and supplementation efforts.

Identification

18-21 cm. Black and reddish-brown icterid. Mostly black with deep reddish-brown hood and reddish-orange shoulder, rump, belly and undertail. Voice Whistles and harsh, scolding calls.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Everest, J.

Contributors
Feldmann, P., Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Millar, K., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Villard, P. & Wege, D.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Martinique Oriole Icterus bonana. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/martinique-oriole-icterus-bonana 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.