Justification Tthis species is classified as Vulnerable as it is suspected to be undergoing a rapid population decline over three generations (60 years) owing to hunting for feathers.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Lesson, 1830)

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

Identification 46 cm. Red-and-black parrot. Bright crimson belly, inner wings and uppertail-coverts, breast scaled with grey. Alternative name "Vulturine Parrot" derives from naked head and long, hooked bill. Similar spp. Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus uniformly blackish-grey with small pink face patch and very heavy bill. Female Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus has bright red head and blue body. Crows Corvus spp. are all-black with straighter bills. Voice Rather like a cockatoo but quieter and softer. Hints Usually seen flying over roads and other vantage points, generally as singles or pairs but flocks of up to 20 have been recorded.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

42,000

decreasing

278,000 km²

No

Range & population Psittrichas fulgidus is patchily distributed across New Guinea (Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea). It has been historically and recently extirpated from large areas, especially in Papua New Guinea^1,3,5,8. It is generally rare and seen in small numbers (birds are wide-ranging)¹¹, and has shown recent rapid declines in some areas such as Ok Tedi^3,6. The only population estimate is based on two pairs inhabiting 14 km² at Crater Mountain. Extrapolation suggests a total population of 21,000 pairs⁸. However, this may have been an overestimate as the Crater Mountain birds sometimes foraged elsewhere, the species is atypically common at this site and is absent from many hunted areas⁸. Conversely, it may be an underestimate by not accounting for substantial populations at lower altitudes².

Ecology: It is restricted to hill and lower montane forest^2,8. At lower altitudes it appears to occur only in hills and at the base of mountains^2,4,7. It is an extremely specialised frugivore, feeding only on a very few species of fig, and is probably seasonally nomadic. It nests in large, hollow trees and may have a lifespan of 20-40 years⁸.

Threats The major threat is hunting for feathers^1,5,8, which are used for ornamentation, particularly in ceremonial head-dresses, in much of the Papua New Guinea Highlands and, in some areas, for skins, which are used as bride prices¹⁰. Demand is increasing as the population grows and tourist shows and cultural events increase. Although demand is generally lower in Papua, birds are also hunted for the cage-bird trade and meat^3,9. Nestlings are captured by felling trees or enlarging nest-cavities, and the scarcity of suitable nest-sites could become a limiting factor. Deforestation is a less major threat to the species since loggers usually leave fig trees¹¹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. The Crater Mountain study have published conservation recommendations⁸.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys to improve the accuracy of the population estimate. Research the species's basic ecology, especially any feeding specialism. Research the feather trade. Monitor numbers at surveyed sites such as Crater Mountain and Kikori. Monitor numbers traded domestically and internationally. Control transport of threatened species on domestic flights. Run an education programme to dissuade tourists from buying feathers and artefacts. Investigate suitability of a programme to substitute artificial or dyed feathers⁸.

References 1. Beehler et al. (1986). 2. B. Beehler in litt. (2000). 3. K. D. Bishop in litt. (1994). 4. Burrows (1995). 5. Coates (1985). 6. Gregory (1995a). 7. Mack (1998). 8. Mack and Wright (1998). 9. Nash (1992). 10. Schmid (1993). 11. B. Beehler 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 Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors B. M. Beehler (Conservation International), K. David Bishop (VENT Bird Tours)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Psittrichas fulgidus. 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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums