Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population size comprising a single subpopulation which is inferred to be declining due to ongoing forest loss within its range. It is therefore assessed as Endangered.
Population justification
In 1990 the population was estimated to number c.1,000 mature individuals based on three calling birds recorded within an area of 3.5 km2 around the village of Rossun (Dutson and Newman 1991), although this was considered uncertain in view of inadequate knowledge of the species’ habitat preferences, calling periods and general breeding density and the population size is thought to be much lower (Erritzoe 2020). Based on recent visits to Manus, the species is thought to occur at a density closely matching the 1990 estimate of c.1 calling bird per km2 (J. Bergmark in litt. 2022) and although historically widespread, the species is now described as inexplicably rare and localised (Dutson 2011). Assuming therefore that the species occurs only in a proportion of the remaining tree cover extent on Manus (c.1,300 km2; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) the population is estimated to fall within the band 250-999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
This species is inferred to be undergoing a slow population decline as a result of ongoing forest loss. During eight visits to Manus between 2002 and 2005, the species was found to be absent from areas close to where it had previously been recorded and at most sites individuals were either absent or present at very low densities (A. Mack in litt. 2012). Interviews with local people during these visits also found that many were unfamiliar with the species (A. Mack in litt. 2012), although such interviews should be interpreted with caution. A total of 29 specimens were collected in two months in 1913 (Rothschild and Hartert 1914), suggesting that it has undergone a steep decline in the past. Approximately 2% of forest on Manus was lost and 7% logged between 2002-2014 (Bryan and Shearman 2015). However, the number of individuals around Rossun village may be fairly stable (A. Mack in litt. 2012, G. Dutson in litt. 2013). Within the three generations to 2021, forest loss on Manus was equivalent to c.2-5% (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), and this is thought to be ongoing. Given that it is intolerant of secondary habitat and absent from several areas where it was recorded in the past five years (J. Bergmark in litt. 2022), a decline is inferred and the species is thought to be declining at a rate at least equal to that of forest loss.
Pitta superba is endemic to Manus in the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. It has an enigmatic and patchy distribution and probably occurs at low population densities. Although most of Manus remains unsurveyed and this bird may be largely silent and thus overlooked, it is absent from several seemingly suitable areas (Dutson and Newman 1991, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997, A. Mack in litt. 2012).
Virtually all recent records of this very shy species are of calling birds. Records are from primary forest and patchy forest with areas of secondary forest and garden regrowth at 100-200 m. It has not been recorded on steep slopes or in the slightly submontane forest of interior Manus. Possible habitat preferences that have been suggested include bamboo thickets or open hilltop forest near a reasonably large river with stones, which are used as anvils to break mollusc shells (Dutson and Newman 1991, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997). The species is considered intolerant of secondary habitat (J. Bergmark in litt. 2022).
Within the three generations to 2021, forest loss in the species' range was equivalent to c. 2-5% (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and the species is currently inferred to be declining slowly as a result. It is possibly threatened by introduced species such as cats and dogs, but the Brown Tree Snake Boiga irregularis, which has decimated birds on Guam, is thought to be native to Manus (Dutson and Newman 1991, R. E. Beck in litt. 1992).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.
22 cm. A truly superb pitta. Glossy black with sky-blue wing-coverts and bright scarlet lower belly and undertail. Female and especially immature is duller overall. Similar spp. Flushed birds may be confused with all-black Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica and calls may be confused with Mackinlay's Cuckoo-dove Macropygia mackinlayi. Voice Loud ku-ku; wing-coverts flashing with each note Hints Residents just inland of the island capital can attract this species into view by imitating its call. Unless calling from a low branch or higher in the canopy, this species is very secretive and hardly ever seen.
Text account compilers
Vine, J.
Contributors
Beck, R., Bergmark, J., Dutson, G., Gibbs, D. & Mack, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Superb Pitta Pitta superba. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/superb-pitta-pitta-superba on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.