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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range, covering a number of small islands. It is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat loss, although its habitat and population are not regarded as severely fragmented or restricted to a few locations. It is therefore currently considered Near Threatened.

Population justification
This species is described as common or very common (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Eaton et al. 2021). A close relative of this species, Symposiachrus loricatus of Buru, Indonesia, occurs at a density of 127-213 birds/km². Applying this density to the estimated AOO of 1,700 km² (the approximate amount of forest cover left in its range) yields a maximum population size of 215,900-362,100, equivalent to 143,00-240,000 mature individuals. Given this derives from a congener and not species-specific data, and the fact that not all of the AOO is likely to be occupied, the population size is placed here in the broad range of 50,000-250,000 mature individuals. It therefore does not meet or come close to the population size thresholds for listing as Threatened.

Trend justification
This species is suspected to be declining because of ongoing forest loss in its range. Between 2010 and 2020, forest cover loss (with a canopy cover of >30%) has averaged 0.74-1.09% per year in this species's range (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), equivalent to a 7.5-11% decline over three generations (10.1 years; Bird et al. 2020). This rate fluctuates with some years worse than others; for example, in 2016 alone, c.2.4% of forest cover was lost. This species is moderately forest dependent and is suspected to be declining at a rate similar to that of forest loss; although it is tolerant of forest edge, much of the forest cover loss in the Kai Islands has been a result of total clearance for agriculture (in which the species cannot persist).

This species is restricted to the Kai Islands, in the Banda Sea Islands Endemic Bird Area, Indonesia (BirdLife International 2001).

This species is found in lowland primary and secondary forests, including coastal monsoon forest, mangroves and hill forest, up to 625 m.

The only known threat to this species is habitat loss with the clearance of forest (on which the species is dependent) for agricultural expansion and plantations.

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although some of its habitat is protected.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations to assess trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. As a precaution, protect significant areas of suitable forest, in both strictly protected areas and community-led multiple use areas.

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Taylor, J., Berryman, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-tailed Monarch Symposiachrus leucurus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-tailed-monarch-symposiachrus-leucurus 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.