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

Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to 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 population size is very large, 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). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The species has been described as abundant in forest and edge from sea level to 800 m (Beehler and Pratt 2016, Goulding et al. 2019a). The population size has been estimated from density estimates and tree cover data to be between 53,000 – 85,000 individuals across the two islands in 2016 (Goulding et al. 2019a). However, lower density estimates on the larger Tagula Island support a population closer to 50,000 (Goulding et al. 2019a). The population size is therefore estimated at 50,000 - 85,000 individuals, roughly equating to 33,333-56,667 mature individuals, here rounded to 33,000- 57,000 mature individuals.

A tracking study found population densities of 1.1 individuals/ha on Junet Island, but densities of 0.64 individuals/ha were observed on parts of Tagula Island (Goulding et al. 2019a).

The population estimates for each island are 3,500 - 7,000 individuals on Junet and 49,800 - 77,800 individuals on Tagula (Goulding et al. 2019). The species is highly mobile and has been observed crossing gaps in forest, so it could potentially cross narrow distances between close islands (Goulding et al. 2019a).

Trend justification
Data on tree cover loss indicates a loss of 2% of tree cover with at least 10% canopy cover within the species's range from 2009-2019 (Global Forest Watch 2020). The species is tolerant of habitat disturbance and is found in forest edge habitat (Goulding et al. 2019a). The population size is therefore inferred to be stable.

In 2019, there were plans for commercial logging between Reuwo on the south coast and Rambuso Creek on the north coast (W. Goulding in litt. 2020). Should it go ahead, this could impact up to approximately 10% of the species's range, but the species is tolerant of disturbance (Goulding et al. 2019a) and so it is unlikely that the species would be eliminated from the area of logging.

Microptilotis vicina occurs on Tagula (= Sudest) Island (c.700 km²) and Junet (=Panatinani) Island (c. 77 km²; Goulding et al. 2019a), in the Louisiade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Data on tree cover with over 10% canopy cover within the species's range for 2010 indicated an area of habitat of 838 km² (Global Forest Watch 2020).

It is inhabits the canopy and understory in most habitat types from mangroves and disturbed subsistence gardens to undisturbed forest, remnant cloud forest and forest edge, in the lowlands to 800m (Schodde 1978, Coates 1990, Goulding et al. 2019a). It appears adaptable with a broad diet of insects, nectar and fruit (Goulding et al. 2019a).

Logging has degraded some of the lowland forest on Tagula (Beehler 1993). Forests on Junet are under increasing pressure from subsistence agriculture from growing human populations on Grass and Sabara Islands and in 2019, there were plans to commercially log forest on Tagula Island between Reuwo on the south coast and Rambuso Creek on the north coast (W. Goulding in litt. 2020). Associated roads have also been discussed, that would dissect the island between these two points and along the north coast to Tagula Station (W. Goulding in litt. 2020). Commercial gold prospecting has been occurring in forests of Tagula Island in recent years. However, forest loss within the distribution of this species has been relatively slow from the 1970s-2010s (Goulding et al. 2019b) and the species appears quite adaptable to disturbance (Goulding et al. 2019a). The species may suffer predation from introduced Brown Tree Snake, rodents, cats and dogs, and could experience competition and indirect effects from invasive bird species such as House Sparrow, Indian Myna and European Starling if they become established in future (Goulding et al. 2019a). The species's small extent of occurrence renders it vulnerable to stochastic environmental events such as droughts and cyclones, which may become more intense due to climate change.

Conservation and Research Actions Underway
A ringing study to determine movements and longevity has been carried out since 2012 on Junet and Tagula Islands (Goulding et al. 2019a)

Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Carry out further surveys of potential habitat on nearby islands such as Panawina and Kuwanak (W. Goulding in litt. 2020). Study its ecological requirements and threats. Monitor population and habitat trends. Protect remaining forest within its range. Prevent the establishment of further invasive species on Tagula and Junet.

Text account compilers
Wheatley, H.

Contributors
Burrows, I., Davis, R.A., Dutson, G., Goulding, W. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tagula Honeyeater Microptilotis vicina. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tagula-honeyeater-microptilotis-vicina 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.