Justification This species has a small, poorly studied range, in which available evidence suggests it is relatively common. However it is likely to have a moderately small population which may be declining owing to logging. It therefore qualifies as Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Rothschild & Hartert, 1924)

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

Synonyms Lorius albidinuchus BirdLife International (2000), Lorius albidinuchus Collar et al. (1994), Lorius albidinuchus Collar and Andrew (1988), Lorius albidinuchus Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Taxonomic note Gender agreement of species name follows David and Gosselin (2002a).

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

-

Yes

Range & population Lorius albinucha, long known only from the montane massif of southern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, has now also been found on the Lelet Plateau in the middle of the island⁴. It is uncommon to fairly common in forest between 500-2,000 m and has occasionally been seen down to 250 m in logged forest^1,2,3. It is likely to have a population of less than 10,000 individuals.

Ecology: It is a hill forest species, which like other members of the genus, feeds on fruit and flowers.

Threats Logging is presently in operation up to 500 m on the southern massif but is unlikely to extend into montane forest²; logging was not apparent but must also threaten forest on Lelet⁴. It is probably not declining, but may do so if the logging operations expand into steep montane forest.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Effectively protect hill forest. Determine tolerance of logged forest at different altitudes. Monitor populations in key sites.

References 1. B. Beehler in litt. (1994). 2. G. Dutson pers. obs (1997). 3. D. Gibbs in litt. (1994). 4. Hornbuckle (1999a).

Text account compilers Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International)

Contributors B. M. Beehler (Conservation International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), David Gibbs

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Lorius albidinucha. 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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