Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely restricted range on just two islands within its former range. The main threat is potential colonisation by Black Rats, which are currently absent from Rimatara and Atiu. It is therefore assessed as Endangered.
Population justification
This species is restricted to Rimatara, its last remaining native island, and Atiu, where it was reintroduced in 2007. The first breeding on Atiu was reported in 2008, with more than 92 birds in 2011 (R. Malcolm in litt. 2010, 2012). The latest population estimate is 835 individuals on Rimatara (Blanvillain et al. 2015a), and with a daily average of 0.35 birds/ha detected within 50 m of eight road-transects, the population on Atiu was estimated to number 385 individuals in 2016 (Lieberman et al. 2018). The total population is therefore estimated to number 1,220 individuals, and assuming two thirds are mature, is roughly equivalent to 800 mature individuals.
Some birds have reached Mitiaro from Atiu, though the presence of Black Rats on this island is believed to have prevented the species from establishing there (McCormack 2017). Introduced populations of >1,000 on Teraina, 50 on Tabuaeran and small numbers on Kiritimati (Thibault and Cibois 2017) are not included in the assessment since the introductions occurred outside the taxon's natural range and the intent was not to reduce extinction risk. As such, they do not meet the required conditions to be included in the categorisation process sensu IUCN guidelines.
Trend justification
On Rimatara, the population was estimated at >905 birds in 1992 (McCormack and Künzle 1996), c.750 in 2000 (G. McCormack in litt. 2001), 650 in 2002 (Raust and Sanford 2002), 610 in 2004, 1,079 in 2009 (Albar et al. 2009) and 835 in 2015 (Blanvillain et al. 2015a). Differences in timing, methodology and potential double-counting of individuals may have contributed to the increase in 2009, though using the same methodology as Albar et al. (2009), the 2015 estimate is indicative of a population decline (Blanvillain et al. 2015a, C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016). In April 2007, twenty-seven birds were re-introduced to Atiu in the Cook Islands from Rimatara. The introduction was successful, with the population estimated at c.40 birds in 2009, 90 ± 19 birds in 2010 and more than 92 birds in 2011 (R. Malcolm in litt. 2010, 2012). The population is now estimated at 385 individuals (Lieberman et al. 2018) and likely still increasing. There has been no more recent population estimate on Rimatara although recent records do not suggest the species is declining substantially (eBird 2023), and with the increasing population on Atiu, the overall trend is tentatively suspected to be stable.
Vini kuhlii is restricted to Rimatara in French Polynesia. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five of the Southern Cook Islands (Steadman 1989, McCormack and Künzle 1996). In April 2007, twenty-seven birds were re-introduced to Atiu in the Cook Islands from Rimatara. Atiu has similar vegetation to Rimatara and is free of Black Rat Rattus rattus, although Pacific Rat R. exulans is abundant. The species also occurs on Teraina, Tabuaeran and Kiritimati, Kiribati, where it was introduced by Polynesians, though these introductions lie outside of the natural range and were not intended to reduce extinction risk and therefore do not meet the required conditions to be included in the assessment.
On Rimatara, the most favoured habitat is mixed horticultural woodlands, including coconut and Paraserianthes falcataria plantations, and it seems to be less common in native makatea forest (McCormack and Künzle 1996). However, they may depend on native forest for nesting in Barringtonia asiatica trees (Blanvillain 2002), thus its importance may have been underestimated (C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016). Highest densities are recorded in plantations and around villages where fruits and flowers are abundant (Thibault and Cibois 2017). It feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants (nearly all recently introduced) (McCormack and Künzle 1996, Thibault and Cibois 2017).
Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species' extinction from the Cook Islands (Watling 1995, McCormack and Künzle 1996).
Currently, the main threat to the species is potential colonisation by Black Rats Rattus rattus (Seitre and Seitre 1992, Blanvillain and Ghestemme 2015) which are absent from Rimatara and Atiu (Gouni et al. 2007; Blanvillain et al. 2012, 2015b; Lieberman et al. 2018) and are believed to be preventing the species from establishing on Mitiaro (McCormack 2017). The introduction of Black Rats is generally considered the main cause of lorikeet extinction (Thibault and Cibois 2017) and introduction to Rimatara or Atiu would likely cause the rapid decimation of these populations. Polynesian Rats Rattus exulans, Brown Rats Rattus norvegicus and feral cats Felis catus are present, though unlikely to be driving significant declines. The Common Myna Acridotheres tristis was previously a threat to the introduced population on Atiu as it competed for nesting sites and was reported to attack fledglings (Lieberman and McCormack 2008, Malcolm 2008, Heptonstall 2010), though the species was successfully eradicated in 2016 (Lieberman et al. 2018). There has been a confirmed predation event of two nestlings by White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus (Tuuhia 2022).
Habitat destruction is a concern; the construction of an airport destroyed over a third of remaining native forest and it was extended in 2015 (Blanvillain et al. 2015a). Since 2012, many large trees on Rimatara have been cleared for agriculture and to allow regeneration of coconut trees (C. Blanvillain in litt. 2016). Construction for tourist accommodation and new housing is ongoing (Tuuhia 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. In French Polynesia the species is protected by national legislation since 1996, and on Rimatara it has been protected by a traditional tapu (taboo) since c.1900. 27 individuals were reintroduced to Atiu from Rimatara in May 2007, the population reaching an estimated 385 individuals in 2016 (Lieberman et al. 2018). Biosecurity has been enhanced on Rimatara to prevent colonisation by black rats, including trapping and baiting, quarantine procedures, development of ecotourism activity, raising the awareness of local people and children through the creation of Site Support Groups (Blanvillain et al. 2014) and the importation sniffer dogs which are used to detect rats in containers arriving to the island (Blanvillain et al. 2015a). As a result of awareness campaigns on Atiu, the public inspects all off-loaded cargo arriving to the island as well as watching for the tell-tale signs typical of black rat activity on gnawed coconuts (Lieberman et al. 2018). A Common Myna control programme began on Atiu in 2009 and the species was successfully eradicated in 2016 (Lieberman et al. 2018).
18 cm. Fast-flying parakeet with pointed tail. Mostly dark green above, crimson-red cheeks and underparts. Dark purple patch on nape (of young birds only). Orange-red bill. Dull orange feet. Voice Harsh screech. Hints Found in residential areas and flowering trees, usually in pairs or in small groups.
Text account compilers
Vine, J.
Contributors
Albar, G., Blanvillain, C., Fraser, P., Gouni, A., Malcolm, R. & McCormack, G.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rimatara Lorikeet Vini kuhlii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rimatara-lorikeet-vini-kuhlii 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.