Justification This species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small distribution, on four islands, and is assumed to be undergoing a continuing slow decline owing to predation by black rats. However, recent reintroduction efforts could reverse its fortunes and lead to a population increase.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Vigors, 1824)

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

Identification 18 cm. Fast-flying parakeet with pointed tail. Mostly dark green above, crimson-red cheeks and underparts. Dark purple patch on nape (of young birds only). Orange-red bill. Dull orange feet. Voice Harsh screech. Hints Found in residential areas and flowering trees, usually in pairs or in small groups.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,000

decreasing

510 km²

No

Range & population Vini kuhlii is restricted to Rimatara in the Tubuai Islands (and according to local people may have occurred on Rurutu in the past²). W.Ellis contrasted Rimatara with Rurutu in the 1820 by saying that Rimatara is known to have many colourful parrots, and there is no other historic or archeological reason for believing that the lorikeet was naturalised on Rurutu¹², French Polynesia, and to Teraina (= Washington), Tabuaeran (= Fanning) and Kiritimati (= Christmas Island), Kiribati. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five of the Southern Cook Islands^1,4. On Rimatara, the population was estimated at c.905 birds (minimum) following survey work in 1992¹, and then at c.750⁷, and then at 610 individuals in 2004⁹. In April 2007 twenty-seven birds were re-introduced to Atiu in the Cook Islands from Rimatara. Atiu has similar vegetation to Rimatara and is free of black rat Rattus rattus, although Pacific rat R. exulans is abundant. On Teraina, the population is estimated at 1,000 individuals (minimum), with 50 on Tabuaeran, possibly fewer, on a single islet in the atoll⁵. On Kiritimati in 1999, a few individuals were reported to survive⁶.

Ecology: On Rimatara, the most favoured habitat is mixed horticultural woodlands, including coconut and Paraserianthes falcataria plantations, and it is rare in native makatea forest¹. On Teraina and Tabuaeran, it is effectively confined to coconut plantations⁵. It feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants (nearly all recently introduced)¹.

Threats Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction from the Cook Islands^1,5. A serious threat to all small lorikeets on Pacific islands is nest-predation by rats, especially black rat Rattus rattus^3,9. On Rimatara, extensive trapping showed R. rattus to be absent in 2000, while R. exulans was widespread and abundant^7,9,10. Extensive trapping in 2007 confirmed this situation¹⁰. On Teraina, there is no evidence of the presence of R. rattus, although Pacific rat R. exulans is abundant while, on Tabuaeran, R. rattus occurs⁵. Cats may be a threat on Kiritimati.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. In Kiribati, the species is fully-protected⁵. In French Polynesia the species is protected by national legislation since 1996, and on Rimatara it has been protected by a traditional tapu (taboo) since c.1900. 27 individuals were reintroduced to Atiu from Rimatara in May 2007^8,10,11. On Atiu a community contest has been organised to find the first young birds¹².

Conservation measures proposed On Rimatara and Atiu, monitor the population every two or three years¹. Launch a major quarantine campaign to prevent the accidental introduction of R. rattus to those islands^1,9,10. On Tabuaeran, investigate the species's survival with R. rattus and take steps to eradicate the predator⁶. In Kiribati, promote greater awareness and enforcement of the wildlife legislation⁵. On Atui, train nationals in monitoring techniques to facilitate regular monitoring. Conduct awareness campaigns with the local population of Rimatara to explain why this bird is important^,9,10.

References 1. McCormack and Künzle (1996). 2. P. Raust in litt. (1999). 3. Seitre and Seitre (1991, 1992). 4. Steadman (1989). 5. Watling (1995). 6. D. Watling in litt. (1999). 7. G. McCormack in litt. (2001). 8. G. McCormack in litt (2006). 9. Gouni (2005). 10. Gouni et al. (2007). 11. Gouni and Zysman (2007). 12. G. McCormack in litt (2007)

Text account compilers Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Anne Gouni (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu"), Gerald McCormack (Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project), Philippe Raust (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu")

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Vini kuhlii. 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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