Justification This species has not been recorded with certainty since 1913, despite specific searches in 1998, and it may have declined as a result of a number of putative threats. However, it cannot be assumed to have gone Extinct, because there were local reports in the 1950s and in 1976, and lorikeets in this genus are notoriously difficult to detect, being unobtrusive and nomadic, so further surveys are required. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Verreaux & Des Murs, 1860)

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

Identification 19 cm. Bright green lorikeet. Green patterned with deep blue on crown and thighs, yellow face, red vent, red-and-black at base of yellow-tipped tail. Similar spp. Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus is much larger and has dark blue head and red breast. Voice Unknown but probably very high-pitched screech as congeners, louder than that of Red-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea. Hints Check flowering trees in montane forest or possibly lowland semi-deciduous forest. Congeners often fly low over forest ridges, at dawn and dusk, calling repeatedly.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

unset

-

Yes

Range & population Charmosyna diadema is known from two specimens collected in 1859, and another collected, but not preserved, in 1913 on New Caledonia (to France)^3,7. The first specimens are from an unknown locality and the 1913 record from "the forests behind Oubatche" which corresponds to Mt Ignambi. There are unconfirmed reports from the 1880s to the 1920s^5,8, and an experienced forester reported two birds in 1953 or 1954 in the central mountains and again in 1976, west of Mt Panié⁸. However, in 1998 there were no records during several months of specific searching, including on Mt Ignambi^2,9.

Ecology: The earliest reports were that it inhabited forest and occasionally fed in Erythrina trees⁵. The 1953-1954 and 1976 reports were from Melaleuca savanna/humid forest ecotone, while the 1920s report was from low scrubland^3,8. Most closely-related species are nomadic and occur primarily in montane forest, but range into lowland forests, for which they may have a seasonal dependence³.

Threats Montane humid forest is not under threat, but it is possible that this species has a requirement for other habitats, some of which, notably lowland semi-deciduous forests, have nearly disappeared from the island^2,9. Several Charmosyna lorikeets have undergone severe population declines or fluctuations of unknown cause³. It is possible that introduced disease (such as avian malaria) or more likely mammals (notably rats) may have been a cause of decline^1,2,9.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. The Mt Panié massif, one of the most likely sites where it may yet occur, is a floral reserve where the habitat is protected but hunting is permitted⁴. Two recent conservation reviews have recommended that this reserve is upgraded to a special faunal and floral reserve and also extended to include Mts Colnett and Ignambi to the north as one contiguous forest block^2,6. No new records were obtained during 500 man-days of bird censuses between 2002 and 2007. A total of 120 locals interviewed between 2003 and 2006 did not provide any credible reports. Funds have been attained to carry on the search until 2011.

Conservation measures proposed Survey, if cost effective, other suitable mountains, particularly in the north-east and the Bokoua massif². Publicise the search for this species among forest workers and villagers² through the "Wanted" campaign to maximise reactivity of the unofficial observer network. Advocate upgrading and extension of Mt Panié floral reserve^2,9.

References 1. Bregulla (1992). 2. Ekstrom et al. (2000). 3. Forshaw (1989). 4. Jaffré et al. (1998). 5. Layard and Layard (1882). 6. Maruia/CI (1998). 7. Sarasin (1913). 8. Stokes (1980). 9. Ekstrom et al. (2002).

Text account compilers Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Vivien Chartendrault (Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie), Sophie Rouys (Conservation Research New Caledonia), Jerome Spaggiari (Conservation International), Jorn Theuerkauf (Conservation Research New Caledonia)

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

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