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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population restricted largely to old-growth habitats on a single island which is undergoing rapid rates of logging and deforestation. For these reasons Myiagra hebetior is evaluated as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The global population size of this newly split species is estimated to number fewer than 10,000 individuals, based on an assessment of encounter rates (G. Dutson in litt. 2016) and range size, and is placed here in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. It is considered less common and more restricted to old-growth forest than the sympatric Symposiachrus menckei or Rhipidura matthiae.In 1997, 5 individuals were recorded in 5 hours (1.5 hours raining) on a logging road in the hills, plus 7 in 16 hours in patchy secondary forest, unlogged patches and gardens in the lowlands (G. Dutson in litt. 2016).

Trend justification
This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat loss and degradation (del Hoyo et al. 2006).

Myiagra hebetior is endemic to Mussau Island in the St. Mattias group of Papua New Guinea.

The species occurs in primary and tall secondary evergreen forest from lowlands to the hills (Coates 1990, G. Dutson in litt. 1999, Hornbuckle 1999a). Most observations in 1997 were in shaded locations with tall trees, including remnant forest in secondary mosaic habitat (G. Dutson in litt. 2016).

Much of Mussau has been logged or is under logging concessions, and this species is inferred to be relatively intolerant of large areas of degraded habitat. It might potentially be threatened by introduced predators.

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct research to determine population size. Conduct surveys and interview local villagers to determine population trends. Determine habitat requirements. Ascertain area of forest and rates of clearance across the island. Monitor numbers at sites across the island. Publicise this species's range and status through public awareness discussions.

15 cm. A small, strikingly sexually-dimorphic flycatcher, with the shiny black male contrasting dramatically with the black-capped, rufous-above and white-below female.

Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Harding, M., Martin, R & Westrip, J.

Contributors
Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mussau Flycatcher Myiagra hebetior. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mussau-flycatcher-myiagra-hebetior 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.