Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Near Threatened due to its restriction to a small number of islands, where the introduction of Brown Tree Snakes Boiga irregularis to Saipan, Tinian or Rota could rapidly drive it to Vulnerable or Endangered.
Population justification
It appears to be common on Saipan where the population was estimated at 11,800 (7,468-16,862) birds in 2007 (Camp et al. 2009). The most recent estimate on Tinian was 4,479 (3,077-6,193) birds in 2013 (Spaulding et al. 2022) and on Aguigan the population was estimated to number 548 (291-892) birds in 2008 (Amidon et al. 2014). The population on Rota was estimated at 3,576 (2,602-4,758) individuals in 2012 (Camp et al. 2016). The populations on each of the smaller, more northerly Mariana islands have not been quantified but the species is described as uncommon here (Gibbs et al. 2001) and on Guguan it was noted as the 'least abundant terrestrial species' (J. Bradley, on eBird [2023]), with fewer than 25 birds detected in extensive surveys. The population on Yap was estimated at c.200 birds in 1984 (Engbring et al. 1990) although, based on descriptive investigations of eBird (2023) data, this may have been overly pessimistic. Accumulating these data and accounting for the fact that only a proportion likely refer to mature individuals, the population is estimated to fall within the range 10,000-19,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Compared to 1982 estimates, surveys suggest the species has declined on Rota but increased on Aguiguan, Saipan, and Tinian (Camp et al. 2009, Amidon et al. 2014, Camp et al. 2016, Spaulding et al. 2022), though the reasons for this are unclear. However, these islands require up-to-date population estimates and there is a lack of information from other islands within the species' range. The population trend is therefore considered to be unknown.
This species occurs widely in the Northern Mariana Islands (to USA) and on Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. It has become extirpated from Guam (to USA) owing to predation by the introduced Brown tree snake Boiga irregularis. The species is a capable disperser, with birds occasionally recorded on Guam despite it no longer occurring there, though the continued presence of tree snakes is thought to be preventing the species from re-establishing.
The species inhabits native forest, secondary forest, plantations, introduced Tangan-tangan Leucaena leucocephala thickets and habitat mosaics including fields, but is reportedly more frequent in native forest than in disturbed habitats (Engbring et al. 1982, Jenkins 1983, Engbring et al. 1990, Craig 1996). It is largely arboreal; it feeds in the forest canopy taking fruits, seeds and flowers, though on Yap it feeds mainly on the ground (van Perlo 2011).
This species was extirpated from Guam owing to predation by the introduced brown tree snake Boiga irregularis. The greatest threat to the species would therefore come from the accidental introduction of B. irregularis to other islands in its range, however the robust biosecurity measures in place are believed to have thus far prevented the snakes from becoming established (see, e.g., Yackel Adams et al. 2021). This species has been hunted traditionally, though this is no longer legal. Current prevalence is unknown but some hunting pressure is thought likely (Camp et al. 2012). As the species is able to adapt to secondary habitats, at least in the short term it is not thought to be significantly affected by habitat loss (Baptista et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
Biosecurity measures are in place to prevent establishment of B. irregularis. A captive breeding conservation program was established by officials of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (H. Roberts in litt. 2009). Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations. Protect areas of habitat which support good numbers of the species. Continue to undertake biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of B. irregularis to islands within the range. Further develop the captive breeding programme to support future reintroductions and supplementation.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Vine, J.
Contributors
Roberts, H. & Bradley, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-throated Ground Dove Pampusana xanthonura. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-throated-ground-dove-pampusana-xanthonura on 24/12/2024.
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 24/12/2024.