Justification This parrot has been downlisted to Near Threatened because although it has a very small range within which there has been extensive forest loss and fragmentation, it apparently remains common in degraded and cultivated habitats and there is no evidence of a continuing decline.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author Schlegel, 1873

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

Identification 12-13.5 cm. Largely green, arboreal parrot with red throat patch, rump, elongated uppertail-coverts and tip of tail. Orange-red undertail-coverts, tipped green. Edge of forewing yellowish-green. Similar spp. Moluccan Hanging-parrot L. amabilis and Sulawesi Hanging-parrot L. stigmatus have red on forehead and at bend of wing, shorter uppertail-coverts and green undertail-coverts. Voice Dry, moderately high-pitched, disyllabic whistle in flight: sh-ui.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000 - 46,000

stable

560 km²

Yes

Range & population Loriculus catamene is endemic to the small island of Sangihe, north of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It was considered 'not particularly plentiful' as long ago as 1886-1887, but has more recently been found to be distributed throughout the island and locally rather common. A survey in 1998-1999 resulted in a population estimate for Sangihe Hanging-parrot of 10,700-46,200 individuals¹ and found the species to be widespread on the island and tolerant of degraded and cultivated habitats with a broad diet. In 2004 it was quite common and widespread in a variety of degraded habitats (forest edge, secondary forest, coconut plantations and garden areas) ³. Gunung Sahendaruman is the single most important site for the species.

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

Ecology: In recent years it has been encountered most commonly in areas of mixed coconut groves and remnant forest, also occurring in coconut monocultures, up to c.950 m. Survey data have revealed no preference for primary forest over secondary habitats, but it is unclear whether forests may act as a source for the population while secondary habitats act as a sink. The only known nest was recorded in primary forest. Coconut nectar appears to be an important food source. In addition, at least two pairs have been observed on steep, tree-covered volcanic slopes. It is a sedentary species, generally found in small groups of one to four, but occasionally up to 27 birds¹. Observations suggest that the species regularly flocks at roosts or favoured feeding sites.

Threats Original forest on Sangihe has been almost completely replaced by cultivation, but the species appears to be tolerant of degraded and cultivated habitats and there is no evidence of a continuing decline. Further potential threats are the widespread clearance of large isolated trees which was linked to declines in the 1980s, disease transmitted by escaped parrots and volcanic activity in the future¹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. Since 1995, the "Action Sampiri" project has been working for biodiversity conservation in Sangihe and Talaud, conducting fieldwork, conservation awareness programmes (including village and school meetings, distribution of leaflets etc.), and developing ideas for future land-use through agreements between local people, local government, forestry officials and timber companies. Gunung Sahendaruman is the only protected forest on Sangihe and its <700 ha of natural forest is the last remaining on the island².

Conservation measures proposed Conduct research into the ecological requirements of the species and determine whether it can survive exclusively in modified habitats. Continue conservation education programmes. Encourage forestry staff to establish a permanent presence on the island.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. Riley (2002). 2. A. Dian in litt. (2009). 3. R. Hutchinson in litt. (2009).

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), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors Agis Dian (Burung Indonesia), Robert Hutchinson, Jon Riley

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Loriculus catamene. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

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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