Data Zone
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 <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 species is suspected to be decreasing but only slowly, it hence does not meet or approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been directly quantified but likely exceeds 10,000 mature individuals, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
This species is described as widely but patchily distributed (Gibbs et al. 2001, Pratt and Mittermeier 2016, O'Brien and Masibalavu 2017). In Fiji it has been described as scarce on the four larger islands, but common on small offshore islands such as Makodroga and Namenalala (Watling 2000, V. Masibalavu in litt. 2012) and in Tonga it has been described as common on the islands of Late and Fonualei (Butler 2013). In Samoa, where formerly thought to occur only on the island of Nu'utele, the species has now been recorded in many of the large forested areas and is more widespread than previously thought (M. O'Brien in litt. 2024). A very preliminary estimate in American Samoa (Ofu and Olosega) placed this population at 249 mature individuals (Kayano et al. 2019). The species appears to be no longer present on the island of Alofi, where it was recorded in 1985/86, but not on surveys in 2008, 2011 or 2014 (Thibault et al. 2015). The global population size has not been quantified, but it is thought likely to exceed 10,000 mature individuals overall (M. O'Brien in litt. 2024).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been quantified directly. In Samoa the species is more widespread than previously thought (M. O'Brien in litt. 2024) and there is currently no evidence for substantial declines within the past three generations. This species may be affected by habitat loss and degradation in some parts of its range as a result of development, agriculture and introduced species (ungulates and plants). However, it is not confined to mature forest and is also found in open and degraded habitats (Watling 2001, M. O'Brien in litt. 2024); as such, it is unlikely to be declining substantially as a result. Additionally, although remote sensing data are not available to estimate the rate of tree cover loss for the majority of its range (Global Forest Watch 2024, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), available data suggest the current rate is slow. Introduced mammalian predators are present throughout the range and depredation by cats, rats and mongoose may be ongoing threats (Steadman and Freifeld 1998, Watling 2001, A. Tye in litt. 2019, Kayano et al. 2019, USFWS 2020), though it appears to coexist with invasive species in much of its range. Invasive species have likely exacerbated widespread declines caused by extensive habitat loss in the past however, and may be responsible for the species' possible extirpation on Alofi (Steadman and Freifeld 1998, Watling 2001, Thibault et al. 2015). The species may also be subject to some hunting pressure, though in some parts of the range at least this is not considered a major threat (USFWS 2020). Precautionarily, the species is suspected to be in slow decline, though this is uncertain.
This species has a discontinuous and poorly-documented distribution in central Polynesia where it occurs in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa. It is possibly extirpated on the island of Alofi, Wallis and Futuna (to France) (Thibault et al. 2015).
This species is found in a variety of forest types; it is found in both scrubby bush and bamboo thickets on smaller islands and lowland and montane forest on larger ones, including disturbed habitat with sparse undergrowth (Watling 2001). It feeds on seeds, fruit, buds, young leaves, snails, insects and caterpillars on the forest floor and in the undergrowth (Watling 1982, Clunie 1984).
This species may be affected by habitat loss and degradation in some parts of its range as a result of development, agriculture and introduced species (ungulates and plants). However, it is not confined to mature forest and is also found in open and degraded habitats (Watling 2001, M. O'Brien in litt. 2024); as such, it is unlikely to be declining substantially as a result. Additionally, although remote sensing data are not available to estimate the rate of tree cover loss for the majority of its range (Global Forest Watch 2024, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), available data suggest the current rate is slow. Introduced mammalian predators are present throughout the range and depredation by cats, rats and mongoose may be ongoing threats (Steadman and Freifeld 1998, Watling 2001, A. Tye in litt. 2019, Kayano et al. 2019, USFWS 2020), though it appears to coexist with invasive species in much of its range. Invasive species have likely exacerbated widespread declines caused by extensive habitat loss in the past however, and may be responsible for the species' possible extirpation on Alofi (Steadman and Freifeld 1998, Watling 2001, Thibault et al. 2015). The species may also be subject to some hunting pressure, though in some parts of the range at least this is not considered a major threat (USFWS 2020). Cyclones are a potential additional threat (Judge et al. 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
This species occurs in a number of protected areas. Invasive species control and eradication have been implemented within the range, for example on Nu'utele and Nu'ulua, with Nu'ulua now being rat free (A. Tye in litt. 2019).
26 cm. Medium-sized, apparently dark brown terrestrial dove. Overall colour warm rufous-brown, males with greyish nape and crown, both sexes with variable iridescence-lustre on the upperparts. Male always has pinkish breast shield bordered with white. Females are dimorphic in Fiji and Tonga, some bearing a similar breast shield to the male. Similar spp. White-throated Pigeon Columba vitiensis is much larger and less timid, also grey-black and has distinct white throat (except immatures). Also rarely, if ever, seen on the ground in forest. Voice Resonant, mournful coo-a-coo, monotonously repeated. Displaying males perch on branches while cooing.
Text account compilers
Vine, J.
Contributors
Masibalavu, V.A., Tye, A. & O'Brien, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Shy Ground Dove Pampusana stairi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/shy-ground-dove-pampusana-stairi on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.