Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species was known from the island of Réunion, but it became Extinct by 1860s. Over-hunting and severe deforestation appear to be the primary drivers of its extinction.
Population justification
No extant population remains.
Trend justification
This species persisted on Reunion longer than many other large birds on the island (Hume 2017). The first account of the species was given in 1671-72 (Dubois 1674), and was reportedly still common in the 1840s and early 1850s when new specimens were being readily collected; it was however seemingly extinct by 1860 (Cheke 1987, Hume 2017). Research suggests the population was already declining rapidly and the range contracting as early as 1817 (Hume 2014). The species was considered a pest in the early 1800s due to the damage it did to crops, and was consequently hunted (Hume 2017). However, historical reports suggest that the species resided only in the interior of forests, never occurring in inhabited places (Hume 2017). Therefore, severe deforestation, which accelerated through the 1830s, was also likely a primary driver of declines (Hume 2017). Introduced predators may have also played a role in the species' extinction, however it survived for decades despite these threats (Hume 2017).
Fregilupus varius was endemic to Réunion (to France).
Historical reports suggest the species had high forest dependence, however it was hunted due to the damage it did to crops, so clearly occasionally ventured into more open areas, and apparently fed in coffee plantations (Vinson 1877 translated from Hume 2014, Hume 2017). The species' morphology suggests it was an opportunistic forager that occupied all forest strata (Hume 2014). The species was likely omnivorous, as are most starlings, and nested in tree cavities (Hume 2017). Historical observations also suggest the species was a vertical migrant, breeding in mountain forests during summer (Hume 2014).
The primary causes of the species' extinction were undoubtedly deforestation and hunting. Historical reports suggest that the species primarily occupied the interior of forests (Hume 2017). As deforestation accelerated through the 1830s (Hume 2017), this would have caused the rapid decline of the species' habitat. The species did however move into coffee plantations where it would feed on insects that plagued the coffee flowers (Vinson 1877 translated from Hume 2014), but as plantations gave way to sugarcane during the 1830s, even this marginal habitat was lost (Hume 2017). As the species was also considered a pest, it was heavily hunted during the 1800s (Hume 2017). Supposedly, the species was easily approached, and hunters could take dozens at a time as a consequence (Cheke 1987, Hume 2017). There are also suggestions that disease contacted from introduced Acroditheres tristris (Common Mynas) and impacts from introduced cats and rats may also have caused declines, but as mynas occurred on the island as early as 1759 (Cheke and Hume 2008), and the species survived for decades alongside cats and rats, any declines from these threats are likely negligible (Hume 2017).
Text account compilers
Khwaja, N., Brooks, T., Mahood, S., Richardson, L.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Reunion Starling Fregilupus varius. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/reunion-starling-fregilupus-varius 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.