Justification This parrot qualifies for Vulnerable because it has a small population that is undergoing a continuing decline owing to exploitation for the cagebird trade and loss of lowland forest. However there is very little recent data on this species, which may be declining more rapidly, or may be secure, on Supiori.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author Bonaparte, 1850

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

Identification 10 cm. Bright red, long-tailed parrot. Violet patch on ear-coverts and black mantle and wing-coverts. Red underwing, yellowish subterminally with narrow black trailing edge. Similar spp. Black-capped Lory Lorius lory has short tail, black cap, green upperwings and purple belly. Red-fronted Lorikeet Charmosyna rubronotata and Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus are largely green. Voice Stronger and shorter screech than T. haematodus. Hints Fairly common around any remnant forest, especially at flowering trees.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

3,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Eos cyanogenia is endemic to the Geelvink Islands of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, where it is known from the islands of Biak-Supiori, and the much smaller islands of Numfor, Manim and Mios Num^1,11. On Biak, it is fairly common in patchy forest, although it has sometimes been recorded in flocks of 40-60^2,8,9,14 but, on Supiori, it is common, although less so at higher altitudes^3,9. It is nomadic, making it difficult to assess its true numbers but, on Biak, it appears it declined notably between 1982 and 1995⁶.

Ecology: It is a gregarious species which apparently feeds chiefly in inland forest, up to 460 m (although becoming less common at altitudes above 200 m on Supiori, at least), and roosts in coconut plantations and nearby coastal forest³. It is common in "flat forest" on Supiori⁹ and still relatively common in secondary forest on Biak⁷, but is absent from low scrubby regrowth⁶.

Threats Relatively large numbers have been trapped for the domestic and international trade^4,12, and this species is commonly observed as a pet on Biak³. Large areas of forest on Biak have been destroyed or damaged by logging and subsistence farming, particularly the southern plains, and the remainder is under pressure^3,5,10. Furthermore, forest does not regenerate easily on areas of raised coralline limestone. Much of Supiori comprises virtually impenetrable, forested limestone mountains, which is likely to be safe from habitat degradation.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. There are two protected areas on the islands, Biak-Utara (covering 110 km²) and Pulau Supiori (covering 420 km²) Nature Reserves¹³. It was common in Biak-Utara Reserve in 1997².

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys on all the Geelvink Islands to clarify its current distribution and population status. Research its ecology and movements to facilitate planning for its conservation. Investigate trade in the species and devise and implement appropriate controls. Estimate the rate of forest loss within its range. Control logging on Supiori.

References 1. Beehler et al. (1986). 2. B. Beehler and S. van Balen in litt. (2000). 3. Bishop (1982). 4. K. D. Bishop in litt. (1994). 5. K. D. Bishop in litt. (1996). 6. K. D. Bishop in litt. (2000). 7. N. Bostock in litt. (1993). 8. Collar et al. (1994). 9. Gibbs (1993). 10. D. Holmes in litt. (2000). 11. Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee (1939). 12. Nash (1990b). 13. Sujatnika et al. (1995). 14. M. Van Beirs in litt. (2000).

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), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International)

Contributors B. M. Beehler (Conservation International), K. David Bishop (VENT Bird Tours), N. Bostock, Derek Holmes (Indonesian Ornithological Society), Bas (S.) van Balen (Conservation International), M van Beirs

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Eos cyanogenia. 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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