Justification This enigmatic species is rare in some locations; it is classified as Vulnerable on the basis of its small and fluctuating range in which the population is suspected to be declining overall through habitat degradation.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Gmelin, 1788)

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

Identification 16 cm. Bright green lorikeet. Variable, small red patch on chin, yellow tips to long tail and slightly darker upperparts. Similar spp. Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus is much larger and has dark head and red breast. Voice Very high-pitched screeching call is higher and quieter than T. haematodus but louder than parrotfinch Erythrura species. Hints Nomadic and erratically common in coconuts on small islands. On Santo, common in flowering trees on the highest mountain ridges.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

11,300 km²

No

Range & population Charmosyna palmarum has a fluctuating range in the Santa Cruz islands of the Solomon Islands and in Vanuatu. In Santa Cruz, it is known from Nendo (relatively common in higher inland forests in 1990), the Duff Islands (where 30 were seen around one village in 1997), Tinakula (which has not been visited recently), Vanikoro (where it recently appears to have become extinct), Tikopia (where very small numbers have recently colonised) Vanua Lava (where common around Langletak village in the east), Gaua (regular visitor to coconut blossoms at sea level and also recorded in flocks in the forest on the ridge around Lake Letas (c. 500 m above sea level)), Mere Lava (fairly common in small flocks higher up and visits lower altitudes during the day) and Ambae: (flocks at higher altitudes only, in forest and at forest edge starting from Duviara village, 500 m above sea level)^5,6,8,9. It has been recorded throughout Vanuatu (except the Torres Islands), but its current range is poorly known away from its stronghold on Espirito Santo^2,3,4,5. In the 1960s, it disappeared from Efate and the southern islands, but birds were seen again on Efate and Tongoa in 1998^1,2,3. It is usually seen in small flocks of 10-30 birds^2,5 but its irregular distribution and nomadic habits make it difficult to estimate the total population.

Ecology: It appears to occupy high montane altitude forest at elevations in excess of 1,000 m, but flocks regularly descend to coastal trees, especially to feed on coconut blossoms^2,3,4,5,6,9. The one nest found was at 1,600 m ².

Threats Avian malaria, cyclones and natural cycles are suggested causes of its fluctuating range^2,3,4. Lowland forest, especially on small islands with high human populations, is being cleared for agriculture, domestic timber demand and commercial logging, but observations suggest that this habitat type may not be regularly used by this species⁹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It is protected by law in Vanuatu and occurs in the proposed Lake Letas Reserve on Gaua. There are plans to research the Solomon Islands population and breeding ecology⁷.

Conservation measures proposed Survey other islands in northern Vanuatu. Estimate population density in Santo mountains. Determine any habitat or altitudinal requirements. Research tolerance of logged and degraded forest. Research breeding success and population cycles on small isolated islands. Investigate the role of malaria in causing population fluctuations. Ascertain genetic isolation of subpopulations on dispersed islands. Relate distribution to that of introduced mammalian predators. Designate the proposed Lake Letas Reserve on Gaua. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

References 1. S. Birchenough and S. M. Evans verbally (1998). 2. Bregulla (1992). 3. Diamond (1975b). 4. Diamond and Marshall (1976). 5. G. Dutson pers. obs. (1997-8). 6. Dutson (in press). 7. J. R. van Oosten in litt. (1999). 8. T. Leary in litt. (2000). 9. S. Totterman in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors T. Leary, Stephen Totterman, J. R. van Oosten

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Charmosyna palmarum. 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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