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

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). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, 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
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally rare, although secure and (at least formerly) fairly common in the Ok Tedi area of Papua New Guinea (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The species’ range includes large areas of rugged and well-forested terrain that remain little surveyed (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020).

Trend justification
There are almost no data on population trends. A sharp decline in records was reported from the Tabubil/Ok Tedi area, where flocks of up to 125 birds were once reported (Gregory 1995), since the severe 1997-98 El Niño drought (P. Gregory in litt. 2010). Forest loss is low within the range, occurring at a rate equivalent to c.1% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Much of the southern slopes of the central range occupied by this species remain well-forested and the rugged terrain affords some protection against a subset of anthropogenic threats (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). The species is precautionarily suspected to be declining slowly, owing to localised habitat degradation and the effects of severe weather.

Charmosyna multistriata is a poorly-known New Guinea species, ranging from the Snow Mountains of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, to Crater Mountain in Papua New Guinea (Coates 1985, Beehler et al. 1986, Mack and Wright 1996). It is known from very few localities but assessments of its range and populations are hindered by its presumed nomadic habits and a lack of recent survey effort across the Indonesian portion of its range (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). There are no recent records from Papua (K. D. Bishop in litt. 1997). In Papua New Guinea, there are records from Crater Mountain (Mack and Wright 1996), Lake Kutubu (Woxvold et al. 2019) and the upper Fly River area (I. Woxvold, unpubl. data), and there have been frequent records of up to 125 birds around Ok Tedi (Gregory 1995).

It inhabits lower montane forest from 180 to 1,770 m (Coates 1985), with one historical record at 80 m (Rand 1942). It has been observed in small groups (2-4 individuals) (Freeman and Freeman 2014) to flocks of up to 125 birds (Gregory 1995), and is presumed to nest in tree cavities (Warakai et al. 2013). It feeds at flowers of canopy trees and epiphytes (Pratt and Beehler 2015).

Its habitat is locally under threat from logging and clearance for agriculture; however, large areas of forest remain across much of its range, and the rugged terrain present in many areas affords ongoing protection against some anthropogenic processes (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). Reports of the species in Ok Tedi dropped dramatically following the severe drought in 1997-1998 (P. Gregory in litt. 2010), suggesting the species may be susceptible to climate-driven change in the availability of flower/nectar resources (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). Some populations may be impacted by mining activity at Ok Tedi in Papua New Guinea and at the Grasberg mine in Indonesia, but the impacts of these developments are likely to be localised. The Ok Tedi open pit is mostly above the upper elevation limit reported for this species, and all or most Ok Tedi/Tabubil area records are from well below the pit site, but infrastructure and tailings from both mines may have localised influence on suitable habitat (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). It is probably tolerant of degraded and patchy forest. The species is not believed to be declining rapidly, and given (1) the large expanse of suitable remaining habitat, (2) the species’ presumed nomadic habits, and (3) the lack of survey effort across much of its range, it is reasonable to conclude that the overall population remains secure (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations at key sites such as Ok Tedi. Survey habitat along the southern flank of New Guinea’s central range between the Grasberg mine area in Indonesia and the Indonesia–Papua New Guinea border (I. Woxvold in litt. 2020). Study patterns of movement in individuals to get a better idea of population size and habitat requirements. Ensure the protection of significant areas of forest at appropriate altitudes.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Bishop, K.D., Gregory, P. & Woxvold, I.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Striated Lorikeet Charmosyna multistriata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/striated-lorikeet-charmosyna-multistriata on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.