EN
Nuku Hiva Imperial Pigeon Ducula galeata



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D1+2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2023 Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D
2016 Endangered D
2013 Endangered D
2012 Endangered D
2008 Endangered D1
2004 Critically Endangered
2000 Critically Endangered
1996 Critically Endangered
1994 Critically Endangered
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 1,290 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 300 km2
Number of locations 2 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 200-249 mature individuals good estimated 2016
Population trend increasing medium suspected -
Generation length 7.03 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: In 1998, a maximum of 85 birds were seen on Nuku Hiva and the population was estimated at c.250 (Evva 1998). The population was estimated at 265 individuals in the most recent surveys (Thibault and Cibois 2017). Successful reintroductions of birds in 2000 and 2003 to Ua Huka resulted in a new population rapidly increasing to several tens, though further surveys are needed to quantify the current population size (C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016, Thibault and Cibois 2017). The total  population is thus estimated to number at least 300 individuals, roughly equivalent to 200 mature individuals (C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016). It is here placed in the range 200-249 mature individuals.

Trend justification: Surveys indicate range expansion during the 2000-10s and the trend may be continuing to increase due to a decrease in poaching and an increase in tourism-related interest in this species (Thibault and Cibois 2017). Communication surrounding the reintroduction operation has allowed the population on Nuku Hiva to increase to well over 200 individuals, and the species is reportedly easy to locate in places where it was absent before, including near habitations (C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016, Blanvillain 2019). The translocated population on Ua Huka may be slowly increasing; it increased by 28% in the 2005-2006 season and reached 46 individuals in 2008 (Gouni et al. 2008, Gouni et al. 2011). Visits to the island in 2010 and 2012 reported a number of individuals and several nests (Champeau 2010), though further surveys are needed.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
French Polynesia extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
French Polynesia Nord-ouest de Nuku Hiva
French Polynesia Ua Huka

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 250 - 1300 m Occasional altitudinal limits (min) 0 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Unlikely to Return Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Past Impact
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Unlikely to Return Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Past Impact
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Negligible declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Bos taurus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Capra hircus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Felis catus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Plasmodium relictum Timing Scope Severity Impact
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus exulans Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Sus domesticus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Nuku Hiva Imperial Pigeon Ducula galeata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/nuku-hiva-imperial-pigeon-ducula-galeata on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.