Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is categorised as Vulnerable because its population is estimated to be smaller than 10,000 mature individuals, it is thought to have a single subpopulation, and it is inferred to be declining, based on its disappearance from parts of its range, presumably due to hunting pressure. However, there are few quantitative data and new information may lead to its reclassification.
Population justification
Although this species occurs at relatively high population densities in alluvial forest, it is less common in foothill forest (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016). It has been found to still be fairly common in the Lakekamu Basin (Beehler et al. 1994, B. Beehler in litt. 2012), where the population has been estimated at 30-150 breeding pairs, and it remains relatively common and widespread in the lower Purari catchment (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016), but there are few recent records outside the Lakekamu Basin (eBird 2021, Bruxaux et al. 2018).
In 1994, the population size was suspected to be greater than 5,000 individuals, in a single subpopulation (Toone et al. 1994). In 2016, the species was precautionarily estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals based on an assessment of its known AOO, habitat preferences and its detection rate during fieldwork including camera-trapping (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016). The population size is therefore placed in the band 2,500 - 9,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
On-going hunting pressure and capture for trade are inferred to be driving a continuing population decline in this species, based on its apparent absence from areas close to habitation (Beehler et al. 1995). Additionally, slow forest loss may be contributing to declines. From 2001-2019, approximately 2.4% of forest with at least 50% canopy cover was lost from the species's range (Global Forest Watch 2021). Over three generations (28 years), this rate would equate to a loss of 3-4%.
The species's range is centred on Gulf Province in which 1.5% of forest was lost plus 6.2% logged between 2002 and 2014 (Bryan and Shearman 2015). This is an increasing rate of logging compared to 6% forest loss and 13% logged between 1972 and 2002 (Shearman et al. 2009). Given the species' preference for alluvial forest which is targeted for logging, and additional localised impacts of hunting, its rate of decline is precautionarily assessed as 10-19% over three generations (28 years).
G. scheepmakeri is thought to occur throughout much of the southern lowlands of Papua New Guinea east of the Purari River, to Orangerie Bay (Beehler and Pratt 2016). Its western boundary is poorly-known, somewhere between the Fly and Purari Rivers (Pratt and Beehler 2015). It appears to have been extirpated from much of the east of its range in the more developed and narrower coastal plain of Central Province (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Gibbs et al. 2001).
It inhabits undisturbed dry and flooded forest, often alluvial, in the lowlands to 800 m (Coates 1985, Beehler and Pratt 2016). It has strong preferences for alluvial forest, and is notably less common in foothill and logged forest (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016). It feeds on the ground in small flocks of 2-10 birds (historically up to 30 birds [Ramsay 1879]) and roosts in trees. Captive birds start breeding from 15 months old, lay a single egg, and tend to the fledgling for some months after hatching (King and Nijboer 1994).
Lowland forests, particularly on the flat terrain favoured by this species, are threatened by logging and the development of oil palm plantations. Logging roads and roads for infrastructure such as oil and gas open up access to hunters (King and Nijboer 1994, B. Beehler in litt. 2012), but there are very low human population densities in much of its western range (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016).
This large species is also hunted for meat and, to a lesser extent, for its feathers (Beehler 1985). It has been found to be absent at sites close to settlements, presumably due to hunting pressure (Beehler et al. 1995) and has been hunted to extinction throughout much of its range in the highly populated south-east (Schodde 1978, Coates 1985, G. R. Kula in litt. 1988). However, the species is fairly difficult to hunt without a shotgun (which are essentially no longer available in New Guinea) as it flushes at considerable distance (c.40 m) and perches high in the middle-story, out of the reach of hunters with bows (B. Beehler in litt. 2012), although hunting hides are sometimes constructed at the base of suitable fruiting trees (I. Woxvold pers. comm. 2016). Despite its CITES listing, the species is subject to international trade (Poole and Shepherd 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Part of the European Endangered [Species] Programme of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. It is protected by law in Papua New Guinea.
66-73 cm. Huge, terrestrial pigeon with fan-like sagittal crest. Unpatterned pale grey crest and rich maroon underparts from neck to tail. Similar spp. Range adjoins two parapatric congeners, known to hybridise with at least one of these where their ranges meet: Victoria Crowned-pigeon G. victoria has white tips to crest and less maroon on lower breast. This species previously included G. sclateri, which has maroon upper throat and wing coverts (grey in G. scheepmakeri) and grey lower belly (maroon in G. scheepmakeri). Voice Foraging flocks communicate with quiet, resonating booms. Hints Usually only seen with the help of local guides in remote uninhabited areas.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H.
Contributors
Beehler, B.M., Bishop, K.D., Burrows, I., Gregory, P., Kula, G.R., Woxvold, I., Bird, J., Dutson, G., Symes, A., Martin, R., Mahood, S., Derhé, M., O'Brien, A., Taylor, J., Stattersfield, A. & North, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Scheepmaker's Crowned-pigeon Goura scheepmakeri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/scheepmakers-crowned-pigeon-goura-scheepmakeri 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.