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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very restricted range, known from only two mountain peaks in West Papua. Given its restriction to such high elevations, there is thought to be an ongoing decline in the quality of its habitat due to climate change. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified. The species has been described as locally common however (Pratt and Beehler 2015), although it is difficult to find even in suitable habitat. There are few records due to the inaccessibility of its habitat and targeted surveys are urgently required.

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends, and the lack of records are likely a reflection of the difficulty of visiting its remote habitat. However, recent records and accounts from the more accessible Puncak Trikora do not suggest that the species has become substantially more difficult to find (Chaplin and McKay 2017, Gallardy 2017, eBird 2023). The population trend is considered to be unknown overall.

Petroica archboldi is endemic to Papua, Indonesia, where it is known only from the highest peaks of the Snow Mountains - Mts Jaya (Carstensz) and Trikora (Wilhelmina) (Beehler et al. 1986). Additional subpopulations may exist, for example on the summits of Mts Yamin (Goliath) and Mandala (Juliana) (Pratt and Beehler 2015).

It is reported to be a conspicuous inhabitant of rocky habitats well above the tree line, occurring above 3,850 m (Beehler et al. 1986, Beehler and Pratt 2016).

Climate change is a substantial plausible threat given this species' restriction to such high elevations; global warming has melted the ice-cap on Mt Trikora in the last few decades (Beehler et al. 1986) and is likely driving declines in habitat quality. Even a small range shift would have a substantial impact on the population size and its elevational distribution warrants being resurveyed (Beehler and Pratt 2016). Local mining operations have also been suggested as possibly having detrimental effects on this species (A. Mack in litt. 2000, del Hoyo et al. 2007).

Conservation Actions Underway
The 14,300 km² Lorentz reserve protects suitable high altitude habitat.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable mountain peak habitat in the Snow Mountain range, for example the summits of Mountains Yamin (Goliath) and Mandala (Juliana) (Pratt and Beehler 2015). Study its ecological requirements and potential threats.  Resurvey its elevational distribution (Beehler and Pratt 2016).

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Gibbs, D. & Mack, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Snow Mountain Robin Petroica archboldi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/snow-mountain-robin-petroica-archboldi on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.