Justification This species is classified as Near Threatened because it is restricted to two small islands where the population is thought to be declining. It would be uplisted if introduced predators such as brown tree-snake Boiga irregularis were to become established on either of the two islands where it lives.

Family/Sub-family Zosteropidae

Species name author (Reichenow, 1915)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

14,000

decreasing

-

Yes

Range & population Megazosterops palauensis has a peculiar distribution in Palau occurring on the islands of Ngeruktabl and Peleliu only^1,2. In 1991, its total population was estimated at 13,876 birds and considering its abundance on these two islands, its absence on similar, nearby islands is puzzling².

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is found in limestone forest, in dense vines and introduced tangan-tangan Leucaena leucocephala thickets².

Threats This white-eye could be declining owing to slow habitat loss. Given its small range, it is at risk from the possible accidental introduction of brown tree snake Boiga irregularis which has caused the extirpation and extinction of birds on Guam (to USA).

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Monitor populations to determine trends. Conserve important areas of habitat on both islands. Ensure B. irrelgualris does not reach Ngeruktabl and Peleliu.

References 1. Engbring (1988). 2. Engbring (1992).

Text account compilers Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Megazosterops palauensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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