VU
White-eyed Starling Aplonis brunneicapillus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - C2a(i)

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2017 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2016 Endangered C2a(i)
2012 Endangered C2a(i)
2008 Endangered C2a(i)
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1996 Endangered
1994 Endangered
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

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

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 80,700 km2 medium
Number of locations 11-100 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 1000-2499 mature individuals poor estimated 2016
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 1998-2008
Generation length 4.1 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-100 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population is estimated to number 1,000-2,500 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size (G. Dutson in litt. 2016). Given the species's rarity, only a small proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. The largest sub-population, on Guadalcanal, is provisionally estimated to be 250-1000 mature individuals (G. Dutson in litt. 2016).

Trend justification: This naturally scarce species is suspected to be undergoing a slow to moderate decline, owing to ongoing forest degradation, and possible harvesting of nest colonies for food, as was recorded historically.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Papua New Guinea extant native yes
Solomon Islands extant native yes

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

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Swamp suitable resident
Altitude 0 - 800 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: White-eyed Starling Aplonis brunneicapillus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-eyed-starling-aplonis-brunneicapillus on 19/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 19/01/2025.