Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population, with all mature individuals in one subpopulation. A continuing decline in mature individuals is suspected from slow forest loss due to selective logging. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The species is described as fairly common within its tiny range (del Hoyo et al. 2006). The population is suspected to fall within the broad range 2,600-16,300 mature individuals, based on the area of the species's range, estimates of population densities of other Clytorhynchus species in the Pacific, and assuming 13-45% of the available range is occupied. Santini et al. (2019) estimated a population size of around 5,600 mature individuals based on analyses of land cover data and a population density model.
Trend justification
While there has been some habitat loss within the species's range, the rate at which this is occurring has been estimated at a rate of only 2.5% over three generations (Tracewski et al. 2016). Since this species inhabits undergrowth in primary forest, it is suspected that the population size of the Rennell Shrikebill is undergoing a continuing decline.
This species is endemic to the island of Rennell, Solomon Islands.
Rennell Shrikebill occupies the dense undergrowth within the understorey of primary forest. It can also be found in areas of regrowth (Gregory 2019).
The species is threatened by deforestation and forest degradation on Rennell Island. Recently, there have been reports of mining activity and selective logging on Rennell which may be contributing to forest loss (Hughes and Tuhanuku 2015, M. O’Brien in litt. 2018). However, the mining is generally carried out in small areas within the forest, so may not have a significant impact on the species's population size (M. O'Brien pers. comm. 2019).
Research Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to assess the population size and trends of the species. Research the extent of the impacts of deforestation and mining on the Rennell Shrikebill.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Protect forest on Rennell.
Text account compilers
Symes, A., Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Westrip, J., Elliott, N.
Contributors
Wheatley, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rennell Shrikebill Clytorhynchus hamlini. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rennell-shrikebill-clytorhynchus-hamlini 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.