Justification This species has been uplisted to Critically Endangered as, following its extinction on Hiva Oa, it is now found on only a single small island on which it is suspected to be declining owing to habitat deterioration and predation.

Family/Sub-family Alcedinidae

Species name author (Finsch, 1877)

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

Synonyms Halcyon godeffroyi Collar and Andrew (1988), Todirhamphus godeffroyi Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Todirhamphus godeffroyi Collar et al. (1994)

Identification 22 cm. Distinctive kingfisher with buff triangle on upper back. Totally white crown, forehead, mantle and centre of upper back. Blue eye-stripe ending as broken line behind head. White underparts. Blue-green lower back, rump, tail and wings. Voice Soft treet-tee-tee and loud, harsh alarm call.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

470 - 917

decreasing

71 km²

Yes

Range & population Todiramphus godeffroyi is endemic to the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, where there were 300-500 pairs on Tahuata in 1975², and more recently 695 birds on the latter island in 2003. It formerly occurred on Hiva Oa, where there were fewer than 50 pairs in 1971 and 1973; it was exceedingly rare on the island in 1990⁴ and was last seen in February 1997 in the Atuona Valley. Searches in 2001, 2004 and 2006 failed to find the species and it is considered extinct on the island^7,9,10,12. Records from Fatu Hiva, Mohotani and Ua Pou are apparently erroneous^2,6.

Ecology: It prefers dense, humid forest along the courses of mountain streams and remote valleys from low to mid altitude, but has also been seen in coconut plantations, on dry slopes covered with mango and Eugenia cuminii trees, and on peaks covered with groves of Casuarina. It has been found nesting in an old mango tree and in a decayed screw-pine trunk. It feeds principally on insects and lizards^1,2,3,11.

Threats Extensive damage has been caused to upland forest by feral cattle, horses, goats, sheep and pigs⁸, and this is causing the continuing decline on Tahuata¹¹. It is thought to have been heavily predated by the introduced Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus on Hiva Oa, and other alien species such as Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and perhaps black rat Rattus rattus (introduced c.1915 on Hiva Oa and present on Tahuata in 1989, but not certain whether it is currently present on the island¹³) may have contributed to the decline¹¹. The introduction of B. virginianus to Tahuata would be disastrous for this species.

Conservation measures underway A survey of the species and its threats on Tahuata is planned for 2009¹².

Conservation measures proposed Regularly resurvey the species to determine trends. Investigate the status of R. rattus on Tahuata and the impacts caused by this species and A. tristis through competition and predation; consider eradication if sensible. Take all measures possible to ensure that B. virginianus does not colonise Tahutua. Exclude livestock from the remaining intact forest. Consider the possibility of translocation to a nearby island.

References 1. Fry et al. (1992). 2. Holyoak and Thibault (1984). 3. Nitchen and Knowles (1995). 4. Seitre and Seitre (1991). 5. SPREP (1999). 6. Thibault (1988). 7. J.-C. Thibault in litt. (2000). 8. WWF/IUCN (1994-1995). 9. P. Raust in litt. (2007). 10. Gouni (2004). 11. Gouni and Zysman (2007). 12. T. Ghestemme in litt. (2009). 13. A. Gouni in litt. (2009).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Text account compilers Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Mark O'Brien (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Thomas Ghestemme (Société d'Estudes Ornithologiques de La Réunion), Anne Gouni (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu"), Philippe Raust (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu"), Jean-Claude Thibault (Parc Naturel Régional de Corse)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Todiramphus godeffroyi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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