Justification This species is considered Vulnerable on the basis of a small estimated population which is suspected to be declining through rampant lowland forest loss, owing to primarily to conversion to oil palm. However, basic biological data on the species, and an assessment of its tolerance of logged forest, is urgently needed to further inform this assessment.

Family/Sub-family Accipitridae

Species name author Gurney, 1882

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

Synonyms Henicopernis infuscata Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 50 cm. Large, heavily barred, forest raptor. Almost black with conspicuous white bands on flight and tail feathers. Usually seen in flight when long tail and long wings with bulging secondaries and broad wing-tips are distinctive. Similar spp. Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata is smaller and much paler. Voice Piped series of c.12 accelerating, upslurred notes. Hints Usually seen from vantage points overlooking hill or montane forest.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

35,500 km²

Yes

Range & population Henicopernis infuscatus is a little-known endemic of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. There are only c.30 recent records, all of singles or pairs^{1,2,3,4,5,6,8}. As a large raptor, it is believed to occur at low population densities and it appears to be much less common than the allospecific New Guinea Long-tailed Buzzard H. longicauda^1,4,5,7. However, it is an inconspicuous forest species which is likely to be very under-recorded⁴.

Ecology: It is usually recorded gliding over primary hill forest to a maximum of 1,300 m¹. There are few records from logged or otherwise degraded forest, but its habitat requirements are poorly known^1,2,5. Its feeding ecology may be similar to that of H. longicauda which hunts above or within the canopy for arthropods, lizards, birds and birds' eggs³.

Threats Nearly all lowland and hill forests on gentle gradients on New Britain have been logged or are under logging concessions, and large areas have been subsequently converted to oil-palm plantations^1,4,7,9. However, much of this species's habitat is on steep slopes and montane forest which is not suitable for logging^2,4. These striking birds are likely to be shot opportunistically as trophies and for meat¹. Hunting has rendered H. longicauda scarce in some areas of New Guinea³.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. No conservation measures are known.

Conservation measures proposed Determine best survey techniques. Survey status in logged forest. Employ local hunters to find nests for intensive observation. Assess levels of hunting through interviewing local hunters. Interview local villagers about population trends. Map remaining forest and logging concessions across New Britain. Lobby for a moratorium on forest clearance for oil-palm plantations. Encourage creation of community-run sustainable logging rather than commercial logging. Encourage creation of large wildlife management areas on New Britain. Address hunting through public awareness discussions.

References 1. K. D. Bishop in litt. (1994). 2. Clay (1994). 3. Coates (1985). 4. G. Dutson pers. obs. (1997-1998). 5. B. Finch in litt. (1994). 6. Hornbuckle (1999a). 7. P. Gregory in litt. (1999). 8. J. Pilgrim in litt. (1999). 9. Buchanan et al. In press.

Text account compilers 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), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), D Finch, Phil Gregory (Fieldguides Incorporated), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Roger Wilkinson (Chester Zoo)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Henicopernis infuscatus. 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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