Justification This species has been downlisted as recent surveys indicate that there are over 2,500 mature individuals. Nevertheless, the total population remains small, and it is restricted to a single subpopulation which is suspected to have declined owing to habitat degradation, and it therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Gmelin, 1788)

Taxonomic source(s) Juniper and Parr (1998)

Taxonomic note Eunymphicus cornutus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into E. cornutus and E. uvaeensis following Juniper and Parr (1998).

Identification 32 cm. Largely green, crested parakeet with yellower underparts and nape, bluish wings and tail and black-and-red face mask. Two wispy, red-tipped, black crest feathers. Similar spp. Red-fronted Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae saisseti has no crest and different head pattern, lacking black and yellow. Voice Often located by nasal kho-khoot contact call. Also range of shrieks and chuckles. Hints Most often encountered in pairs or small groups high in pines along the forest roads of Parc Provincial Rivière Bleue.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

690 km²

Yes

Range & population Eunymphicus cornutus is endemic to New Caledonia (to France). It appears to have declined since the 1880s when it was reported from all forested areas, and it has disappeared from Mt Panié². Its numbers and trends were poorly known, until 2003-2006 there were only two independent population estimates of 1,000-3,000 birds² and 720 pairs¹ respectively. Recent surveys indicate that the bird has a wider distribution and is more common than previously believed. A rough estimate produced from these recent surveys indicates that the population may be c.8000 individuals, and although this is likely to be an overestimate the total population is still thought to be at least 5,000 mature individuals¹⁴. During the 2003-2006 surveys the species was recorded from the Ignambi massif in the north to the various massifs of the Grand Sud in the south. It was recorded on 57 % of the massifs in the northern province and 42 % of the massifs in the southern province. It is absent from the Ile des Pins. It is locally common in the center part of the "chaîne" (Mé Maoya Massif, Moindou-Farino area, Poindimié-Ponérihouen area)¹³. Numbers have remained stable in Rivière Bleue in the last 20 years⁵.

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

Ecology: It is patchily distributed in humid forest to 1,500 m, but it also ranges in the valleys and into savannas, low-stature forest and scrub in maquis and high mountains^2,8,9,13. Pairs or small flocks (family flocks in April-June) feed in the canopy, largely on seeds and nuts². Nests have been found on the ground, including under rocks and in fallen tree-trunks^3,6, and it has recently been recorded nesting in tree holes¹¹. It probably migrates seasonally to foraging grounds during the austral winter (June-September)¹³. Birds have been seen crossing scrub between forest blocks, and it is not believed to be fragmented into distinct subpopulations^2,5. Birds have been seen in large groups, feeding in savannah¹⁴ and the species is seen every year in the valleys, feeding in close proximity to rural dwellings and in open areas.

Threats Populations may be declining through habitat degradation, both through logging and by an introduced deer, Javan Rusa Rusa timorensis¹³. It may be susceptible when nesting to predation by introduced mammals, especially rats^2,7, as there are fewer parakeets in areas with high black rat abundance¹². There is little documented trapping or trade, and although there are captive birds on the island and birds are locally sought by collectors for trade this seems to be marginal - there are no important local traditions in keeping pet birds^1,2,13. There is occasional illegal hunting¹⁵.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II, and fully protected by New Caledonian law. There are significant populations in Rivière Bleue and Reserve Speciale de Faune et de Flore de la Nodela².

Conservation measures proposed Survey other forest blocks within its extent of occurrence^2,9. Investigate the breeding biology to identify any limiting factors such as nest failures or rat predation^2,9. Research ecological dependence on certain tree species for nesting or feeding^2,9. Investigate dispersal between isolated forest blocks^2,9. Continue to monitor numbers in Rivière Bleue^2,10. Start a monitoring programme in Nodela². Monitor for any evidence of trapping and trade^2,5,6. Consider an Action Plan similar to that of E. uvaeensis^1,2,5,6. Initiate control measures against introduced predators. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

References 1. N. Barré in litt. (1999). 2. Ekstrom et al. (2000). 3. Hannecart and Létocart (1983). 4. Juniper and Parr (1998). 5. Y. Létocart in litt. (1999). 6. O. Robinet in litt. (1999). 7. Seitre and Seitre (1992). 8. J. M. Thiollay in litt. (1999). 9. Ekstrom et al. (2002). 10. J. Ekstrom in litt. (2003). 11. J. M. Meriot verbally (2003). 12. Rouys and Theuerkauf (2005). 13. Chartendrault and Barre(2005,2006). 14. V. Chartendault in litt. (2007). 15. C. Meresse in litt. (2009).

Text account compilers Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), James Hardcastle, Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Nicholas Barré (Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie), Vivien Chartendrault (Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Yves Létocart (Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue - Province Sud), Cendrine Meresse, J. M Meriot, O Robinet, Jerome Spaggiari (Conservation International), Jean-Marc Thiollay

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Eunymphicus cornutus. 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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