• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it has a small range within which there is some habitat loss and degradation. However, the range island remains largely forested and the few data that exist for the species suggest it remains quite common. Consequently, it is not currently thought to be at a higher risk of extinction.

Population justification
Attempts to estimate the population size of this species have varied immensely. Juniper and Parr (1998) stated that the population may number fewer than 5,000 mature individuals while transects surveys in 1995 produced an estimate of 35,000-47,000 birds (Arndt and Raharjaningtrah 1998). The latter seems improbable given the species is confined to an area of just c.1,900 km² (some of which may no longer be suitable), but given the species' relative abundance (eBird 2022), the estimate made by Juniper and Parr (1998) is probably overly pessimistic. The population size is here suspected to number 5,000-47,000 individuals (c.3,300-31,000 mature individuals), with a best estimate of 15,000-30,000 (10,000-20,000 mature individuals).

Trend justification
This species' congener, P. cyanurus, occurs (albeit at an apparently low density) in heavily degraded and altered habitats (see, e.g., Peh et al. 2006) and eBird (2022) data suggest that this species is likely to be similar. However, it also likely requires native forest for breeding and is only a visitor to plantations; consequently, ongoing forest loss and degradation on Simeulue is likely to be causing ongoing reductions in population size. In the ten years to 2022, Simeulue lost c. 5% of its tree cover (per Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) and this is suspected to have caused a similar reduction in its population size. The species may also be impacted by localised trapping, although continued observations close to towns (eBird 2022) suggest this is not a substantial threat. These suspicions are congruent with those of Symes et al. (2018) who, based on expert opinion, did not consider hunting to have caused any decline between 2000 and 2015. Overall the population is suspected to have declined by 1-9% over the past ten years and, in the absence of any amelioration of threats, this is also suspected to occur in the future.

Psittinus abbotti is restricted to Simeulue and Siumat off north-west Sumatra, Indonesia (Forshaw and Cooper 1989, BirdLife International 2001).

There is little specific information available on the species' ecology, although it is assumed to be similar to P. cyanurus. Psittinus abbotti is documented as occurring in primary and secondary forest, and plantations (Eaton et al. 2021).

The principal threat to this species is forest loss. Clearance for mining and oil-palm plantations are the most likely contributors (J. Eaton in litt. 2010, Eaton 2011) although remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022) indicate that rates of loss have so far been slow and the island remains largely forested. Trapping for the cagebird trade may be a threat, although there is no evidence of this driving population declines (Symes et al. 2018).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species. There is a small protected area 'Simeulue Grand Forest Park' (WDPA ID 555511997) on Simeulue (UNPC-WCMC and IUCN 2022) where this species is assumed to occur.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to estimate the population size and resolve the discrepancy in available estimates. Study the species' ecology and habitat requirements. Assess the current and future threats to natural habitats on Simeulue and Siumat, and investigate whether any hunting or trapping of the species takes place. Continue to monitor rates of land-use change using remote sensing data. Protect areas of suitable habitat.

c. 19 cm. A fairly small, bright green, stocky parrot with a very short tail. Adult males have a blue face with a green forecrown, and a strong, narrow black hind collar; females have an all-green head. Similar spp. P. cyanurus (which does not occur with P. abbotti but is present in the Mentawi Islands) has an all-blue head, dark-grey mantle and back, and powder-blue rump, and lacks the black hind collar.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Eaton, J., Martin, R., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Simeulue Parrot Psittinus abbotti. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/simeulue-parrot-psittinus-abbotti on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.