Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This newly-split species is believed to have a single, small subpopulation which is inferred to be undergoing a continuing decline owing to loss of its primary forest habitat. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable. Plans to convert half of the remaining forest habitat within its range to sugar cane plantations have at least temporarily been put on hold, but if these were to go ahead the species would be projected to undergo very rapid future declines and would likely be eligible for uplisting.
Population justification
The population is suspected to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. It is placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, equating to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be undergoing slow declines owing to the loss of its forest habitat, which is presumably subject to some pressure for logging and conversion for subsistence agriculture. Plans to convert half of the remaining forest habitat within its range to sugar cane plantations have at least temporarily been put on hold, but if these were to go ahead the species would be projected to undergo very rapid future declines.
Otidiphaps aruensis is endemic to the Aru Islands off southwest New Guinea, Indonesia, where it is apparently rare (Gibbs et al. 2001).
Occurs in primary rainforest (Gibbs et al. 2001). Little studied, though is thought likely to be similar to the other Otidiphaps species, which are highly terrestrial and pheasant-like in habits (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The diet is seeds and fallen fruit.
The Aru Islands currently retain a relatively large proportion of forest cover; in 2013 natural forest was estimated to cover 83 % of the mainland. Nevertheless, there is assumed to be ongoing small-scale logging and conversion for agriculture and plantations, and over 70% of the forest is reportedly not covered by Indonesia's forest moratorium (Forest Watch Indonesia 2014). In 2013 it emerged that local government officials had reportedly turned over 480,000 ha of land in the Aru Islands, of which 76 % is currently natural forest, to 28 companies held by PT. Menara Group, a plantation conglomerate. Converting the area to sugar plantations would cut Aru's forest cover by half, from 730,000 ha to 365,000 ha (Butler 2014). In April 2014 the Ministry of Forestry announced that the plan had been suspended, however although the permits have been revoked in principle, the forests allocated for sugar plantations are still legally classified as convertible production areas (Hadinaryanto 2014).
Conservation and research actions underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation and research actions proposed
Clarify the extent to which permits for forest conversion have been revoked. Support legal efforts to change the function of the forest areas from convertible production areas to conservation areas, and campaign for the Ministry of Forestry to clarify that forest release permits should be for community management and not concessions to companies which would likely convert the forest to oil palm, paper or pulp plantations even if permits for sugar cane were revoked (Hadinaryanto 2014).
46 cm. A large, terrestrial pigeon with a full, laterally compressed black tail that is pumped up and down when walking. The head, underparts, rump and lower back are glossy black, the short rounded wings and mantle chestnut. The hindneck is bright white. On the breast side is a metallic golden-green patch. Similar spp. The other Otidiphaps do not co-occur and do not have a bright white hindneck. Voice. A loud. far-carrying wu-huwoooooa rising and falling in pitch before trailing off at the end.
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Martin, R, Taylor, J. & Symes, A.
Contributors
Bishop, K.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: White-naped Pheasant-pigeon Otidiphaps aruensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-naped-pheasant-pigeon-otidiphaps-aruensis on 17/01/2025.
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 17/01/2025.