CR
Tuamotu Kingfisher Todiramphus gambieri



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
B1ab(iii) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D1+2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)
2016 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v); C2a(ii)
2013 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v);C2a(ii)
2012 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v);C2a(ii)
2011 Critically Endangered B1a+b(iii)
2010 Critically Endangered B1a+b(iii)
2009 Critically Endangered B1a+b(iii)
2008 Critically Endangered
2005 Critically Endangered
2004 Vulnerable
2001 Critically Endangered
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 68 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 68 km2
Number of locations 1 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 100-150 mature individuals good estimated 2024
Population trend stable good estimated -
Generation length 3.1 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Surveys in 2019 estimated 173 individuals in total, and population monitoring in recent years indicate a stable (possibly increasing) trend overall (Igual and Ghestemme 2020). As such, assuming only a proportion refers to mature individuals and accounting for some uncertainty, the population is here placed in the band 100-150 mature individuals.

Trend justification: Subspecies niauensis was represented by 400-600 birds in 1974, and reported as common in 1990; the nominate gambieri having become extinct on Mangareva, Gambier Islands, probably prior to 1922 (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Seitre and Seitre 1991, 1992). A marked decline was then noted and in the 2000s the species became restricted to the eastern part of the island, likely related to a decrease in coconut harvesting in the western part (Thibault and Cibois 2017). Surveys in 2006-2008 suggested a total population of around 125 individuals (Gouni et al. 2006, Gouni and Zysman 2007, D. Kesler in litt. 2008, 2009, 2010), and the population appears to have stabilised since with slight increases to 135 in 2009 (Gouni et al. 2009) and 144 in 2014 (SOP Manu 2015). Data from radio-marked and colour-banded birds have also not indicated a major population crash or increase (D. Kesler in litt. 2009, 2010). Although a population projection based on survival rates was indicative of a declining trend (Kesler et al. 2012b), with low female and extremely low juvenile survival (40 % and 12% respectively), population monitoring continues to indicate a stable, or possibly increasing, trend overall: the population size in 2017, 2018 and 2019 was estimated at 157, 148 and 173 individuals respectively (Igual and Ghestemme 2020). Taking a precautionary approach, the population trend is set here to stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
French Polynesia extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
French Polynesia Niau

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations major resident
Artificial/Terrestrial Rural Gardens suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland marginal resident
Altitude 0 - 20 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Storms & flooding Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Likely to Return Whole (>90%) Unknown Past Impact
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Felis catus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus exulans Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Competition, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Competition, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion, Reduced reproductive success

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tuamotu Kingfisher Todiramphus gambieri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tuamotu-kingfisher-todiramphus-gambieri 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.