Justification This species is classified as Endangered because it has a very small population restricted to two tiny islands. Although the population on Fonualei, where it was recently introduced, is likely to be stable the population on Niuafo'ou is suspected to be undergoing a continuing decline, owing to egg harvesting and predation. If a population on the larger island of Late could also be established, then downlisting to Vulnerable may be warranted.

Family/Sub-family Megapodiidae

Species name author Gray, 1864

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

Identification 38 cm. Medium-sized, brown-and-grey megapode. Mostly brownish-grey, paler on head and neck, browner on back and wings, with short, rounded crest on nape. Feathers of face and throat sparse, allowing red skin to show through. Yellow bill. Yellow to light red legs and feet. Similar spp. Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis has bold bars and much longer bill. Immature Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio larger with white undertail-coverts. Feral chickens have prominent tails. Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis smaller and darker with red eyes and legs. Voice Three-part whistle kway-kwee-krrrr from male, usually uttered in duet with female krrrr. Both male and female can initiate the duet.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

680 - 970

decreasing

70 km²

Yes

Range & population Megapodius pritchardii is endemic to Tonga where although fossil evidence indicates it was once widespread, there is now only a remnant population on the island of Niuafo'ou and a re-introduced population on Fonualei. On Niuafo'ou it is concentrated around the inner slopes of the caldera and on two cat-free islets in the crater lake. In 1979, the population was estimated at 820 adults⁸ and, in 1991-1993, at 188-235 pairs occupying 641 ha of 719 ha of suitable habitat³. This represents 52-65% of possible carrying capacity, assuming an average of 0.5 pairs per ha³. Comparisons between individual sites and interviews with local people had strongly suggested an overall decline³. Introductions to the islands of Late and Fonualei have been carried out. A 2003 survey on Fonualei found the species to be common, comprising an estimated 300-500 adult individuals¹¹, but there is no evidence of its continued existence on Late^2,9.

Ecology: It inhabits broadleaved forest ranging from secondary to mature³, but needs areas with little ground cover where it can forage in leaf-litter and top soil; mainly for insects and worms, but also small reptiles, seeds and small fruit⁶. It uses hot volcanic ash to incubate its eggs, a habit which confines its nesting sites to areas of loose soil close to vents, either in forest or in open ash, or beaches of crater lakes⁸.

Threats All nesting sites on Niuafo'ou are harvested and at least 50% of all eggs laid are collected or destroyed³. Adults are also hunted on a small scale, and adults and chicks are predated by feral cats and dogs, while pigs may compete for food³. Fonualei is uninhabited so the threats of hunting and human disturbance are less immediate for the population there⁹.

Conservation measures underway It is legally protected, although in practice there is no enforcement. From 1991 to 1993, 60 eggs were buried at volcanically heated sites on Late³, and an additional 35 eggs and chicks were transferred to Fonualei⁵, both uninhabited and rarely visited by humans. Breeding was successful on Fonualei and the population appears to be established^2,4,11, but surveys suggest the translocation failed on Late^9,10.

Conservation measures proposed Continue long-term monitoring of the nesting grounds on Niuafo'ou. Protect the three crater lake islets as nature reserves, minimise disturbance and regularly survey for introduced predators. On Niuafo'ou, enforce the ban on hunting and egg-collecting or restrict it, preferably through a council of residents endowed with necessary powers. Asses the feasibility of eradicating feral cats and dogs from Niuafo'ou. Investigate obtaining Reserve status for Fonualei.

References Baker et al. (in press). 1. Dekker et al. (2000). 2. R. W. R. J. Dekker in litt. (2003). 3. Göth and Vogel (1995). 4. C. Matevalea verbally (1999). 5. Rinke (1994). 6. Rinke et al. (1993). 7. SPREP (1999). 8. Todd (1983). 9. R. Dekker in litt. (2004). 10. A. Göth in litt. (2004) 11. Watling (2004).

Text account compilers Aidan Keane (World Pheasant Association), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Rene Dekker (Megapode Specialist Group), Ann Göth (Macquarie University), C. Matevalea, Dick Watling (Environment Consultants Fiji)

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

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