Justification This species may prove to be the only member of its genus whose habitat and population size have been little affected by adverse changes to its environment³. However, it qualifies as Vulnerable as it is found only on one small island, where it is at risk from the accidental introduction of alien species.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (North, 1908)

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

Identification 18 cm. Red-and-green parakeet. Dark green above shading to golden-yellow tip of tail. Red on cheeks and underparts, dark purple central belly. Belt across chest green at sides, purple in centre. Golden-yellow bill and eyes. Voice A shrill screech.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

720 - 1,820

stable

41 km²

Yes

Range & population Vini stepheni is restricted to Henderson in the Pitcairn Islands (to UK), a small uninhabited, raised-reef island in the south-central Pacific Ocean. In 1987, the total population was estimated at between 720 and 1,820 individuals²; it is thought to be stable.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It occurs in native forest, showing a preference for forest edge, and in coconut palms along beaches. It is a generalist feeder, consuming nectar, pollen and fruit from a wide variety of plants from beach-level to the plateau, although flowers from the plants Scaevola sericea and Timonius polygamus provide the main sources of nectar³. Arthropods form part of the diet, including lepidopteran larvae found in the sporangia of the fern Phymatosorus³.

Threats This species appears to have adapted to the presence of the only introduced predator, Pacific rat Rattus exulans³. However, the accidental introduction of a more aggressive predator, such as another Rattus species, could be devastating, and introduced diseases such as avian malaria and pox are another potential threat. The introduction of exotic plant species could have serious consequences for the native vegetation⁴ and therefore for this species.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. In 1988, Henderson was designated a World Heritage Site. Rat eradication has been investigated and is feasible but difficult because of the island's isolation¹.

Conservation measures proposed Periodically resurvey to monitor numbers and trends. Ensure that further alien species are not accidentally introduced to Henderson. Consider the eradication of rats from Henderson¹.

References 1. B. Bell verbally (1999). 2. Graves (1992). 3. Trevelyan (1995). 4. Waldren et al. (1995).

Text account compilers Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Michael Brooke (University of Cambridge)

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

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