Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This spectacular species occurs on two widely separated islands. Although it has a moderately small population (<10,000 mature individuals), this is a species of very remote forests where it is thought to be declining only very slowly. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Population justification
The total population of this species has not previously been estimated. On Guadalcanal, at a site above Betilonga, calls of this species were heard from up to six locations from a camp at 1,500 m, but some calls might have been from the same individuals, and much forest at this altitude was assessed as unsuitable for this species (G. Dutson in litt. 1998). Fifteen kilometres away, an area of approximately 1 km² was subject to intensive observational survey in 2015, and several calling individuals were detected. Along a 2 km transect along a ridge line from 1,200 to 1,500 m, an average of 4–6 individuals were heard calling at dusk and dawn. Based on these reports, an approximate species-specific density of 4–8 mature individuals/km² is suggested.
Although occupancy in some areas is high, on Guadalcanal large areas of forested habitat appear unsuitable (G. Dutson in litt. 1998) while on Bougainville, recent visits in apparently suitable habitat proved unsuccessful in locating the species, including in a targeted search using playback. Across the two islands, an occupancy of 10–30% is considered likely.
Using remote sensing data, the total amount of suitable habitat on Bougainville and Guadalcanal is estimated at approximately 2,000 km² and 1,200 km², respectively. The population is therefore inferred to number ca 1,300–7,700 mature individuals, with a best estimate of 2,500–5,000.
Trend justification
There are no data on the population trend of this species. Remote sensing data indicate that across the two islands of occupancy, forest loss in this species’ range has been slow, equivalent to 3-5% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on Hansen et al. 2013). Some of this adjustment may be attributable to landslides and other natural processes. Forest loss is however suspected to increase in the years ahead as the island of Bougainville re-opens to development after an extended period of secessionist conflict (Woxvold and Novera 2021). Moreover, invasive species including rats (Black Rat Rattus rattus, Pacific Rat R. exulans) and cats (Felis catus) have been recorded in montane forests up to 1,800 m on both islands (G. Dutson in litt. 2016, Woxvold and Novera 2021), which may impact the species further. On Guadalcanal, there are reports of exotic plants altering the forest understorey (F. Lambert in litt. 2019).
For these reasons, the population is precautionarily suspected to be declining, although this requires confirmation.
Actenoides bougainvillei has two subspecies: bougainvillei on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, and excelsa on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Likely to be restricted to the interior of montane old-growth forest, with a recent record from 800 m (Dutson 2011), although calls thought to belong to the species have been reported from lowland swamp-forest (Bishop 1987). Very little is known about the species. There is a report of nesting in an arboreal termitarium (Mayr 1945, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1983, del Hoyo et al. 2001). Local people around Panguna report the species above 1,100 m and have shown one recently-killed bird to visiting birdwatchers but there are no other data on its ecology (P. Gregory pers. comm. 2016).
The principal identified threat to this species is logging and the degradation of habitat, although this is currently at only a very slow rate due to the relative inaccessibility of montane forests. Invasive species are found on both islands, including rats (Black Rat Rattus rattus, Pacific Rat R. exulans) and cats (Felis catus), and these have been recorded in montane forests up to 1,800 m (Leary 1991, Woxvold and Novera 2021), which may impact the species further.
Conservation Actions Underway
None are known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey both islands to determine population size and distribution, especially on Bougainville where almost all facets of this species' ecology is unknown. Establish a system of community-based conservation areas.
27 cm. Beautiful but very cryptic forest kingfisher. Largely rufous with blue wings, rump and tail with distinctive blue moustachial and eye-stripes and red bill. Similar spp. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sancta has paler buff underparts and collar. Variable Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus is much smaller. Voice Guadalcanal birds call before dawn and after dusk: a loud, ringing series of ko-ko-ko... notes. Hints Birds call daily but are very difficult to see above Betilonga on Guadalcanal. Learn the call and listen before dawn.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Bishop, K.D., Dutson, G., Gibbs, D., Lambert, F. & Mahood, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Moustached Kingfisher Actenoides bougainvillei. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/moustached-kingfisher-actenoides-bougainvillei 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.