Justification The small population of this poorly known parrot occupies a small range (at few locations), which is decreasing in size and degrading in quality as a result of habitat loss, at least at the lower fringes of its altitudinal distribution. The population is suspected to be declining, and it therefore meets the thresholds for Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Gmelin, 1788)

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

Identification 40-42 cm. Partially nocturnal, forest-dwelling parrot. Male generally dull green with large red bill and black line on lores. Crown and upper cheeks lightly washed bluish-grey. Dull bluish-green wings. Female has pinkish grey bill. Similar spp. Great-billed Parrot T. megalorynchos has blue rump, yellow fringes to wing feathers and larger bill. Male Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus is bright green, with short tail and no black on lores. Voice Harsh, high-pitched, slightly drawn-out flight call, apparently heard only at night.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

1,400 km²

Yes

Range & population Tanygnathus gramineus is endemic to the island of Buru in South Maluku, Indonesia. There are very few recent records from few localities, although this is likely to reflect the paucity of nocturnal fieldwork at high altitudes. The only relatively recent records relate to two encounters in 1980 and two more encounters in 1995 on Buru, and one bird was recorded as a pet on Bali in 2001¹. According to early accounts, it was probably not uncommon, and the fact that recent searches have met with little success suggests it may have declined.

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

Ecology: This poorly-known species inhabits montane forest, chiefly above 1,000 m, but at least occasionally down to 600 m, or even the lowlands. It seems to be largely (perhaps almost exclusively) nocturnal, an unusual fact that currently lacks documented explanation. Although assumed to be resident, it perhaps makes altitudinal movements seasonally, or even daily.

Threats Habitat loss appears to be the main threat. Most forest in the coastal lowlands 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. The island's montane forests are largely undisturbed, although none currently receives formal protection. There is historical documentation of some minor exploitation of the species, but around 1980 there was no evidence of any trade. It has since been observed as a cage bird on Bali in 2001¹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. Surveys for Buru's endemic birds were conducted in 1989 and 1995-1996, this species only being recorded during the latter survey. An area of 1,450 km², encompassing Gunung Kelapatmada in the west of the island (where the species is known to occur), is proposed as a reserve. However, it remains to be confirmed that this site is the most appropriate area for the conservation of threatened endemic birds.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys particularly using its vocalisations at night, primarily in montane areas. Research its ecological requirements and movements, and attempt to explain its nocturnality, in order to develop an appropriate conservation strategy. Identify the most appropriate area for the conservation of this and other threatened species on Buru, and promote its establishment as a strict protected area.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. Collar (2006).

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), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators A. Birchenough, Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Tanygnathus gramineus. 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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