Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it may have a moderately small population within its small range, and may be undergoing a continuing decline owing to trapping. However, the range is not yet severely fragmented or restricted to a few locations. For these reasons, the species is classified as Near Threatened. Further information may indicate it is more threatened.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 10,000-19,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 15,000-29,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 15,000-30,000 individuals. It is assumed that the species forms several moderately small subpopulations.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline due to trapping for the cage-bird trade, but the rate of decline has not been estimated. A remote sensing study found that forest loss within its range between 2000 and 2012 was negligible (< 1% over ten years; Tracewski et al. 2016).
The species is endemic to the island of Seram and a few outlying islets, Indonesia. It has been described as "extremely rare" (Clement and Hathway 2000), and there have been very few records (Isherwood et al. 1997). However, large areas of habitat on the island remain to be surveyed (Isherwood et al. 1997).
It inhabits montane forest at 800-1,280 m altitude (Isherwood et al. 1997). It is possible that the species is restricted to limited areas of level forest within this range (Collar 2004), where deep leaf litter is able to accumulate. It feeds alone or in pairs on the ground in deep forest undergrowth (Clement and Hathway 2000). There is no information about breeding.
The most severe threat to the species is trapping for the cage-bird trade. It is traded heavily in Indonesia for its ability as songster, which is likely impacting the species (Collar 2004, N. Brickle in litt. 2005). Its forested habitat is relatively secure. The species is restricted to remote hill forests, which remain almost intact with very low levels of human disturbance (Isherwood et al. 1997, N. Brickle in litt. 2005, Collar 2019).
Conservation Actions Underway
It was recorded in Manusela National Park in 1987 (Isherwood et al. 1997).
17 cm. A medium-sized thrush. Russet crown and nape, and dark brown mantle, wings, and face to belly. Belly whitish. Broad white tips to median wing-coverts. Similar spp. None in range. Buru Thrush Z. dumasi similar, but also has russet mantle and white tips to greater wing-coverts. Voice Generally silent, but gives a thin tseep contact note and tsree-tsree flight call.
Text account compilers
Pilgrim, J., Hermes, C., Bird, J., Khwaja, N., Mahood, S.
Contributors
Brickle, N.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Seram Thrush Geokichla joiceyi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/seram-thrush-geokichla-joiceyi on 24/11/2024.
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 24/11/2024.