Justification Although there are no recent data regarding this species it is thought to be experiencing a moderately rapid population reduction, due primarily to trapping and egg collecting, and is consequently classified as Near Threatened. However, new population and trend date might lead to this species being uplisted.

Family/Sub-family Megapodiidae

Species name author Schlegel, 1866

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

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000

decreasing

-

Yes

Range & population Megapodius bernsteini is restricted to the Banggai and Sula Islands Endemic Bird Area, Indonesia. There are thought to be some 7,000 birds in the Banggai Islands, mostly on Peleng, and as many as 38,000 (22,500-54,000) on Taliabu, but these populations are probably declining.

Ecology: It inhabits lowland forest, particularly in coastal areas, and dense lowland scrub fringing farmland. Nesting mounds are visited daily by monogamous pairs.

Threats It is experiencing declines and local extinctions owing to habitat loss (through logging and clearance), exploitation (collection of eggs, hunting of adults) and introduced animals (cats and dogs as predators, feral domestic chickens as competitors). However it may be secure on small rarely-visited offshore islets.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Reassess the population size, including a survey of offshore islets. Quantify the impact of hunting and the taking of eggs. Quantify the impact of introduced and feral predators and competitors. Regularly monitor the population at selected sites. Research its relative abundance in different habitats. Implement control measures against introduced animals if deemed appropriate. Protect areas of suitable habitat. Raise awareness of the species and its status in an effort to reduce hunting and nest-robbing.

References BirrdLife International (2001).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Megapodius bernsteinii. 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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