Justification The population of this species has increased as a result of intensive conservation action, and exceeded 50 mature individuals in 1993, and 300 in 2000. However, it has a very small range concentrated in just a few locations, and remains threatened by a continuing decline in the quality of suitable habitat. For these reasons, the species is still listed as Endangered. Numbers fluctuate owing to predation and disease and it seems doubtful that present populations could be maintained without the current intense management programme.

Family/Sub-family Columbidae

Species name author Prévost, 1843

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Synonyms Columba mayeri BirdLife International (2000), Columba mayeri Collar et al. (1994), Columba mayeri Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Streptopelia mayeri BirdLife International (2004)

Taxonomic note Columba picturata and C. mayeri (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) were previously transferred to the genus Streptopelia following Johnson et al. (2001), but are now placed in Nesoenas following Cheke (2005).

Identification 36-38 cm. Large, pale pigeon. Pinkish-grey with dark brown back and rusty tail. Similar spp. Madagascar Turtle-dove Streptopelia picturata is much smaller and darker. Voice Flight call a short, hard, nasal hoo hoo. Male territorial call a series of coo-cooo notes.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

360 - 395

fluctuating

80 km²

Yes

Range & population Nesoenas mayeri survives in the Black River Gorges of south-west Mauritius and on Ile aux Aigrettes, just off the eastern coast. Although once common, it declined to just 10 wild individuals in 1990, and were it not for intervention, it would have rapidly gone extinct. Since then, intensive management has resulted in a spectacular increase, although the population is still dependant on ongoing intensive management. Since 2000 the population has been over 300 individuals in five subpopulations, numbers have fluctuated but in April 2007 there were 380 birds¹². In 2007, of the five established sub-populations, two are in decline (Plaine Lievre c. 110 birds and Bel Ombre c. 48 birds), two are increasing (Pigeon Wood c. 65 birds and Combo c. 65 birds) and the subpopulation on Ile aux Aigrettes has probably reached carrying capacity and is stable at 85 birds¹³. There is some limited movement between the mainland populations³.

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

Ecology: It inhabits native forest and has a diverse diet, including both native and exotic plants². In the early 1990s, the entire wild population nested in a single grove of introduced Japanese red cedar Cryptomeria japonica. However, ongoing studies suggest that rat predation in Cryptomeria is higher than in native vegetation, thus the value of Cryptomeria is unclear^1,8. When there is available restored native vegetation for nesting, birds use this in preference to exotic species.

Threats Severe loss of habitat has been compounded by continued predation of nests and adults by introduced crab-eating macaque Macaca fascicularis, mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus, rats and feral cats^5,8. Invasive plant species reduce the quality of breeding and foraging habitat. Cyclones destroy nests and accelerate habitat degradation⁴. Natural food shortages mean that birds must be provided with supplementary food. The disease Trichomoniasis was brought to Mauritius by alien pigeons (which now act as a reservoir for the disease) and causes significant levels of mortality, especially in juveniles, it is likely to be limiting population growth¹¹. Inbreeding depression is an ongoing concern¹⁰.

Conservation measures underway A captive-breeding and reintroduction programme, combined with establishment of Conservation Management Areas, habitat restoration, control of exotic predators, supplementary feeding, nest guarding, clutch and brood (fostering) manipulations, rescue of eggs and young from failing nests, control of disease and monitoring of survival and productivity, has helped this species survive⁴. The Black River National Park covers much of its range⁸. The population is managed to maximise genetic diversity and counter the effects of inbreeding depression¹⁰. There are plans to release three additional populations¹³.

Conservation measures proposed Continue research into population genetics and disease⁴. Continue rehabilitation of mainland native vegetation⁷. Continue intensive mangement of wild-living populations. Extend Conservation Management Areas and surrounding predator-proof fences⁴. Consider introduction to other Mauritian islets (and Réunion) if ecosystem rehabilitation and predator elimination are successful⁷.

References 1. Carter (1998). 2. Jones (1987). 3. Jones and Swinnerton (1997). 4. C. Jones in litt. (2000). 5. Reese Lind (1994). 6. Safford (1997d). 7. Safford and Jones (1998). 8. Swinnerton (2001). 9. C. Jones in litt. (2005). 10. Swinnerton et al. (2004). 11. Swinnerton et al. (2005). 12. C. Jones in litt. (2007). 13. K. Edmunds in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Ben Warren (BirdLife International)

Contributors Diana Bell (University of East Anglia), Nancy Bunberry, Kelly Edmunds, David Hall, Carl Jones (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation), Kirsty Swinnerton (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Vikash Tatayah (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Nesoenas mayeri. 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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