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

Justification of Red List category
The species is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is suspected to be stable, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified but is likely to be large; it hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common above 1000 m on Bougainville, Kolombangara and Guadalcanal, but rarer on other islands (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Dutson 2011, Collar and Boesman 2021). Buckingham et al. (1990) recorded 17 contacts/km² in old-growth hill forest, 220 in primary montane forest (> about 500 m) and 640 in primary moss forest (> about 1200 m) on Kolombangara, and flocks of 3–8+ were recorded daily above 1,450 m at Kukupi, Bougainville (Woxvold and Novera 2021). The population likely numbers above 10,000 mature individuals (G. Dutson in litt. 2023).

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends, however forest loss is low within the range, equivalent to c.2% within the ten years to 2021 (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). In the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, the species is suspected to be stable overall.

Charmosyna meeki is endemic to Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and the islands of Santa Isabel, Kolombangara, Guadalcanal, New Georgia and Malaita (with one report from Makira) in the Solomon Islands. 

It is locally common in montane forest from 1,000 m-1,200 m, with up to 50 seen in a day. It is probably nomadic, feeding in the canopy on pollen and nectar; it is also occasionally seen in coconut plantations. Small flocks of up to 30 birds forage over large areas and may be reliant on a combination of habitats at different altitudes. It uncommonly occurs down to sea-level and up to 1,700 m, perhaps making daily movements to lower elevations to forage (Cain and Galbraith 1956, Schodde 1977, Webb 1992, Buckingham et al. 1995, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997-1998, Hornbuckle 1999, G. Dutson in litt. 2023).

Much of the lowland forest in the region has been or is scheduled to be logged but the montane forest is safe from such degradation.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations at key sites. Study patterns of movement in individuals to get a better idea of population size and habitat requirement. Ensure the protection of significant areas of forest at all altitudes.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Meek's Lorikeet Charmosyna meeki. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/meeks-lorikeet-charmosyna-meeki 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.