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

Justification of Red List category
This species occurs within a very small range, and is likely to have a moderately small population. It is suspected to be declining as a result of habitat loss, but its range is not yet severely fragmented or restricted to few locations. For these reasons, the species is classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
This is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available.

Trend justification
A slow population decline is likely to be taking place as a result of forest loss and degradation. The rate of decline is not thought to be more rapid as this species apparently persists in selectively logged forest. Hunting for skins may also contribute to the decline.

Cicinnurus respublica is endemic to the Papuan islands of Waigeo and Batanta off north-west Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, where it reported to be frequent in suitable habitat.

This species occurs in hill forest, above 100 m (Beehler et al. 1986; Gibbs 1993; Poulsen and Frolander 1994; Eastwood 1996; R. Hutchinson in litt. 2020). It is thought to be occur in some logged forests (Frith and Frith 2020). It feeds mainly on fruits and arthropods (Plantema 2011). 

Waigeo's rugged relief suggest that there may be no serious immediate threats to its forests. Selective logging has been reported in the north of Waigeo, the south-east corner of the island was ravaged by fire in 1982, and there are concerns over a cobalt mining concession on the island (Dekker and Argeloo 1993; WWF-IUCN 1994-1995; Dekker and McGowan 1995; Sujatnika et al. 1995). Logging on Batanta (where the sole protected area is only 100 km²) is resulting in major habitat degradation, but this species appears to be moderately common in logged forest and it is probably safe at higher altitudes (Frith and Beehler 1998). As well as declining slowly through habitat loss, it is hunted in some areas for skins (D. Gibbs in litt. 2000).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Pulau Waigeo nature reserve, established in the late 1980s, covers 1,530 km² om Waiego, but there are reports that it may be substantially reduced in size (Holmes 1989; Dekker and McGowan 1995). In 2009, a Community Conservation and Ecotourism Agreement (CCEA) was launched to implement a five-year pilot programme to preserve the complete Orobiai River catchement on Waigeo Island, covering 92 km² of primary forest (Papua Expeditions 2009). The project has aimed to primarily ban any significant resource extraction and restrict traditional use of the catchment (Papua Expeditions 2009). 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within its range to determine current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population 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. Ensure the future integrity of existing protected areas, e.g. Pulau Waigeo nature reserve.

Text account compilers
Fernando, E.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Gibbs, D., Gilroy, J., Hutchinson, R., Khwaja, N. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Wilson's Bird-of-paradise Cicinnurus respublica. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wilsons-bird-of-paradise-cicinnurus-respublica on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.