LC
Salvadori's Fig-parrot Psittaculirostris salvadorii



Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population is placed in the band for 20,000-49,999 mature individuals, assumed to be equivalent to 30,000-75,000 individuals in total. This species is considered to have a high dependency on forest habitat, and tree cover is estimated to have declined by 0.9% within its mapped range over the past three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). It is therefore tentatively suspected that this rate of cover loss may have led to a decline of between 1-19% in the species' population size over the same time frame, with a best estimate of reduction being less than 5%.

Trend justification
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Distribution and population

Psittaculirostris salvadorii is endemic to northern Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, where it occurs from the eastern shore of Geelvink Bay to the Cyclops Mountains (Beehler et al. 1986), including lowland forest up the tributaries of the Mamberamo River (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2000). Records suggest that it is still locally common, including in the lowlands west of Jayapura and at Nimbokrang (Diamond 1985, Gibbs 1993, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1994, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, Eastwood 1996b). In the Jayapura region, this species is described as fairly common in some localities (M. Halaouate in litt. 2013). Previous evidence strongly suggested a decline (K. D. Bishop in litt. 1987, 1994, R. Burrows in litt. 1994), although much of its range is remote and inaccessible (P. Gregory in litt. 1994, K. D. Bishop in litt. 2000).

Ecology

Small flocks inhabit the canopy of lowland forests, including forest edge and swamp-forest, from sea-level up to 400 m (Rand and Gilliard 1967, Beehler et al. 1986, K. D. Bishop in litt. 2000). It is frugivorous.

Threats

In the past, this species has been trapped in relatively large numbers for the cage-bird trade, both for domestic and overseas markets, with a total of 1,582 birds known to have been exported from Indonesia between 1985 and 1990 (Beehler 1985, Nash 1990b, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1996, Collar 1997a), and 1,791 between 1990 and 2001 when recorded trade in the species ceased (UNEP-WCMC 2007). However, the true scale of trade is unknown and it is probably overlooked by many trappers in preference of more sought-after and abundant species (B. Beehler in litt. 2012). Local human population increases, resulting from transmigration (e.g. near Nabire and Jayapura), have increased logging and land clearance for agriculture (R. Burrows in litt. 1994, Sujatnika et al. 1995), and have probably increased trade in the species. Additional threats to lowland forests within its range include many large-scale logging and agricultural schemes (Sujatnika et al. 1995, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1996). However, in Jalan Korea, where logging is intensive, there are no suggestions that this species is suffering a population decline (M. Halaouate in litt. 2013). In addition, recent information suggests that this species may be secure in the large areas of inaccessible forest within its range: it was recently found to be fairly common in the lowland forests along the Idenburg and Ruffaer rivers and it is noted that large-scale oil palm cultivation has not yet taken hold in the heart of the Mamberamo (B. Beehler in litt. 2012, D. Bishop in litt. 2012),

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Two huge protected areas, Foja Nature Reserve (c.10,000 km2) and Jayawija Nature Reserve (8,000 km2), are located within the species's range (Sujatnika et al. 1995). It is kept in captivity and breeds well but no coordinated breeding effort or studbook is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct extensive surveys to clarify its current distribution and population status. Ascertain the scale of threats to lowland forest within its range. Investigate domestic and international trade in the species, and devise and implement appropriate combative measures. Assess the effectiveness of the current protected-areas system for conserving populations, and propose further reserves at key sites if appropriate.

Identification

19 cm. Chunky, short-tailed parrot. Largely green plumage. Male has orange breast patch and yellow cheeks, and female has pale blue breast patch and greenish-yellow cheeks. Similar spp. Edwards' Fig-parrot P. edwardsii has dark eye-stripe and collar, and red throat. Large Fig-parrot P. desmarestii has orange crown and lacks yellow cheeks. Voice Short, staccato flight calls and short, high-pitched trills when perched. Hints Common at Nimbokrang near Jayapura.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.

Contributors
Bishop, K., Burrows, R., Gibbs, D., Gregory, P. & Beehler, B.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Salvadori's Fig-parrot Psittaculirostris salvadorii. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/salvadoris-fig-parrot-psittaculirostris-salvadorii on 27/12/2024.
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 27/12/2024.