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

Justification of Red List category
This megapode occurs at a moderate density within its small range, and is suspected to have a small population. It is believed to be suffering an ongoing decline owing to habitat loss and hunting, but there is no estimate of the rate of any decline. Due to the use of a minimum convex polygon for calculating the size of the extent of occurrence, the species no longer qualifies as Near Threatened under criterion B1, but new information indicates that the population may be very small, hence it is listed as Vulnerable under criterion D. 

Population justification
The global population is estimated as 1,000-10,000 individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1994), roughly equivalent to 670-6,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline, but the trend has not been directly estimated. Tracewski et al. (2016) measured the forest loss within the species’s range between 2000 and 2012 as c. 49 km². This roughly equates to a rate of forest loss of 2.7% over three generations (12 years) for this species, assuming that forest loss is continuing at the same rate. Threats known for Tanimbar Scrubfowl include forest clearance and hunting. Thus, given the additional threat from hunting, it is assumed that the rate of population decline may be larger than the rate of forest loss. However, even under this assumption, the rate of decline is unlikely to exceed 20% over three generations.

Megapodius tenimberensis is endemic to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia, where it is possibly restricted to Yamdena Island. It is sparsely distributed throughout the lowlands, and is thought to be declining owing to habitat loss and exploitation (Bishop and Brickle 1998).

The species inhabits primary, old selectively logged and tall secondary, semi-evergreen forest. It requires unfragmented habitat.

The species's strict requirements for unfragmented forests make it vulnerable to forest loss on the island of Yamdena. It is additionally threatened by hunting for food, egg collecting and introduced predators, which are evident mainly in the southern part of the island where forest clearance is most prevalent (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2006, del Hoyo et al. 2019).

Conservation Actions Underway

A large protected area covering a representative range of habitats of Yamdena was proposed in 1995 (Jepson 1995).

Conservation Actions Proposed

Prevent hunting and forest clearance within protected areas. Repeat surveys on the Tanimbar Islands to estimate the species's population size and assess its status. Assess and monitor the impact of human activities on the population trend.

35-47 cm. A large brownish-olive megapode. More chestnut on the back and charcoal grey beneath. Nape with very short pointed crest. Has a pale bill and red skin around the eye. Red legs. Sexes similar. Similar spp. The congener, Orange-footed Megapode M. reinwardt is slightly darker and does not occur within the species's range.

Text account compilers
Martin, R., Hermes, C., Taylor, J., Butchart, S., Bird, J., Mahood, S.

Contributors
Bishop, K.D.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tanimbar Scrubfowl Megapodius tenimberensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tanimbar-scrubfowl-megapodius-tenimberensis on 21/12/2024.
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 21/12/2024.