EN
Polynesian Imperial-pigeon Ducula aurorae



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(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D1+2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2017 Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)
2016 Endangered D
2013 Endangered D
2012 Endangered D
2008 Endangered D1
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
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) 28 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 25 km2
Number of locations 2-5 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 570-1200 mature individuals medium estimated 2009
Population trend increasing poor suspected 1998-2008
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Generation length 6.6 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification:

A survey on Makatea in 2009 (Albar et al. 2009, 2010) estimated the total population size at 1,206 individuals (with a 95% confidence interval of 867-1,677 individuals; roughly equivalent to 570-1,200 mature individuals), and the population size is assumed to be stable or slightly increasing.

Trend justification: Population estimates are too inaccurate to detect trends, although hunting has been much reduced and the species may be increasing on Makatea where forest is regenerating. An overall increase of 1-9% is suspected to have taken place over the last ten years. However, a future decline is very possible given the plans for infrastructure development and the distinct possibility that C. approximans could colonise the island.


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 Makatea
French Polynesia Vallée de la Papenoo

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 0 - 1100 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Likely to Return Whole (>90%) Rapid Declines Past Impact
Stresses
Species mortality
Energy production & mining Mining & quarrying Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Likely to Return Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Past Impact
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%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
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
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Problematic native species/diseases - Circus approximans Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Very Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Species mortality
Residential & commercial development Commercial & industrial areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Polynesian Imperial-pigeon Ducula aurorae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/polynesian-imperial-pigeon-ducula-aurorae 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.