Justification This species is confined to only four predator-free islands, and has a very small overall range. As such, the accidental introduction of alien species could easily cause local extinction, and it is therefore classified as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Scolopacidae

Species name author (Buller, 1869)

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

Identification 20 cm. Small, compact, variegated brown snipe. Top of head striped black, brown/reddish-brown. Rest of body mottled black, brown/reddish-brown except for pale lower breast, belly. Voice Male call, low trerk, trerk, trerk and queeyoo, queeyoo, queeyoo.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,800 - 2,200

stable

5 km²

Yes

Range & population Coenocorypha pusilla is confined to four small, predator-free islands in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, where it is common and considered stable. It was once widespread throughout the group. The population is estimated at c.900-1,100 pairs. Most of these, 700-800 pairs, are on Rangatira (=South East) Island. The population on Mangere Island (which was reintroduced from Rangatira Island) is between 200-250 pairs. Birds have recently colonised Little Mangere Island, and a population was recently found on Star Keys (totalling less than 50 pairs)^2,4. Vagrant snipe have been seen on Pitt Island and nearby Rabbit Island¹¹.

Ecology: It breeds from the shore to island summits, but is most common in Plagianthus chathamicus and Olearia traversi forest. It builds its nests under dense vegetation, and usually lays two eggs^5,6. It is insectivorous⁴. Its age of first breeding and life expectancy are unknown, but other Coenocorypha snipe can breed at one year old, and live up to 17 years^7,12.

Threats The historical range of the species was reduced as the result of the introduction of predators such as cats and rats Rattus spp.^4,13. Birds attempting to colonise neighbouring Pitt Island are killed by cats and Weka Gallirallus australis (introduced following the species extirpation from the main Chatham islands) ⁸.

Conservation measures underway In 1970, the species was successfully reintroduced from Rangatira Island to Mangere Island, after feral cats were eradicated². Captive breeding was attempted in 1983 & 1987 but failed^2,3. A 2001 trial at holding snipe in captivity was successful¹⁰.

Conservation measures proposed Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Reintroduce snipe to the predator-fenced portion of Ellen Elizabeth Preece Conservation Covenant on Pitt Island^1,2,8,13 Restore sufficient mammal-free forest areas within the Chatham Islands to allow the species to establish self-sustaining populations that require minimal management^1,2,13.

References 1. Aikman et al. (2001). 2. Aikman and Miskelly (2004). 3. Heather and Robertson (1997). 4. Higgins and Davies (1996). 5. Miskelly (1990). 6. Miskelly (1999a). 7. Miskelly (1999b). 8. Colin Miskelly (pers. comm.). 9. Colin Miskelly and Allan Baker (unpubl.). 10. Miskelly and Barlow (2001). 11. Miskelly et al. (2006). 12. Miskelly and Sagar (2005). 13. Roberts and Miskelly (2003).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International)

Contributors B. D. Bell (Wildlife Management International), Colin Miskelly (Department of Conservation)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Coenocorypha pusilla. 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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