Justification This species has not been positively identified for many years despite several surveys of Buru, suggesting that its population is very small, and likely to be decreasing given that its habitat is shrinking in extent and quality. For these reasons it is considered Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Siebers, 1930)

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

Identification 16 cm. Slender, forest-dwelling lorikeet. Male predominantly green, yellowish-green on breast. Orange bill and legs, pale blue forecrown. Yellow band across underside of secondaries. Female has reduced blue on crown and stronger band on secondaries. Similar spp. Female Red-breasted Pygmy-parrot Micropsitta bruijnii has short tail and contrastingly pale cheeks and throat. Female Red-flanked Lorikeet C. placentis placentis (probably absent from Buru) has streaked cheeks. Voice Very shrill ti...ti...ti...ti-ti-ti has been reported, probably given in flight.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

50-249

decreasing

8,600 km²

Yes

Range & population Charmosyna toxopei is endemic to the island of Buru, South Maluku, Indonesia, where it was known from seven specimens collected in the 1920s, on the west side of Lake Rana. It was recorded by only one of the 24 collectors active on Buru, implying that it is either very rare, localised, nomadic or has specific habitat preferences. However, recent observations of an apparent Charmosyna lorikeet on the island, possibly this species, suggest it may be quite common around Teluk Bara. It was recorded between 1979-1981 with an unconfirmed report in 1989. Further reports by local villagers during the 1990s, a record of birds being trapped in 1998 and three Charmosyna spp. seen in 2006¹ probably all refer to this species. Interviews conducted in the 1990s revealed that only local people living west of the Rana river knew it (or another similar lorikeet). The lack of confirmed records makes it problematic to assess this species's population size, but it has been described as 'quite common', although only from one part of a very small range.

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

Ecology: The original series of specimens was collected between 850 and 1,000 m, and comprised individuals found feeding on nectar and pollen, in trees on apparently level land. There is one aural record from a coconut plantation in the south, at or near sea-level. Recent observations of a Charmosyna species come from plantations, and selectively logged secondary and primary forest around 600 m. Anecdotal information collected from interviews with local people suggest that it is probably a lower montane species, which in some years occurs down to the coastal lowlands. It has been seen in pairs but apparently occurs more commonly in groups of up to 10 individuals.

Threats Most forest in the coastal lowland of Buru has now been cleared, and much of the forest in the northern part of the island has been selectively logged or degraded and fragmented by shifting agriculture, such that only a few small patches of primary lowland forest remain. However, the island's extensive montane forests remain largely undisturbed. All the original specimens were caught alive using lime. However, the species is not kept as a pet, nor apparently is it traded.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. An area of 1,450 km² on Gunung Kelapatmada in the west of the island is proposed as a reserve. It remains to be confirmed whether this site meets the conservation needs of all Buru's threatened landbirds. The Wildlife Conservation Society continues to operate wildlife crime market/trade surveillance and enforcement. This includes the trade hubs of both east and west Indonesia, and the work is set for considerable expansion in the coming years². They are also exploring the potential for habitat protection-based projects on Buru².

Conservation measures proposed Conduct widespread surveys ranging out from the Teluk Bara/Lake Rana area, to establish its current status, distribution, habitat requirements and movements. If key sites for the species are identified, propose their establishment as strict protected areas. Support the establishment of a proposed reserve at Gunung Kelapatmada.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. M. Halaouate in litt. (2007). 2. N. Brickle in litt. (2007).

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), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors Nicholas Brickle (Wildlife Conservation Society), Mehd Halaouate

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

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