Justification This species, the largest-plumed member of its family, is listed as Vulnerable based on an estimated small population which is believed to be declining owing to hunting. The overall rate of decline is unknown but is extrapolated from historic and recent data from the few study sites. However, it may be secure in the large areas of its range which are inaccessible and largely uninhabited.

Family/Sub-family Paradisaeidae

Species name author (Hermann, 1783)

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

Identification Male 100 cm, female 48 cm. Large bird-of-paradise with long, decurved bill and very long tail. Male largely black, but in suitable light scale-like feathers show intense iridescence of metallic green-blues with purple washes. Female warm brown with chestnut wing-feather fringes and fine, dark brown barring on off-white underparts. Male iris red and female iris red-brown. Similar spp. Brown Sicklebill E. meyeri (which replaces it at higher altitudes) has finer, more decurved bill and pale blue eyes, male is browner and female has no chestnut on wings. Buff-tailed Sicklebill E. albertsii has short, rounded tail. Female Astrapia spp. have short bills. Voice Male gives paired, sharp, liquid quik, quik and simple nasal contact calls. Hints Ask guides below Ambua Lodge.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

78,500 km²

No

Range & population Epimachus fastuosus is patchily distributed in the mountains of western and central New Guinea, from the Vogelkop of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, to the Torricelli and Bewani Mountains in Papua New Guinea and in the central ranges eastward to the Kratke Range. It is unknown from large areas - in some cases these areas have never been surveyed, in others it is definitely absent⁵. It is generally scarce to rare or locally absent, and often where reported to be locally common, for instance on Mt Bosavi, it occurs at low population densities^2,3,5. In the Tamrau Mountains on Vogelkop it is thought to be common⁹. Most of its range in Papua has not been surveyed recently but it may prove to be locally common, as in the Arfak Mountains⁶.

Ecology: It is restricted to mid-montane forest at 1,800-2,150 m, occasionally from 1,280-2,550 m ⁵. It is usually found in primary forest, and is less often recorded in adjacent secondary growth and garden edges⁸. It forages equally for fruit and small animals in the forest canopy, often probing moss and epiphytes for arthropods^1,5,7.

Threats It is hunted for its tail feathers and for food. Skins are becoming increasingly valuable and hunting pressure is increasing with the spread of shotguns and an increase in human populations within the species's altitudinal range⁹. Hunters target adult males and, although the species persists in areas lacking these males, breeding success has not been investigated⁸. Populations increased at Crater Mountain after an enforced hunting ban⁵. Forest in the favoured geographic and altitudinal range is under considerable pressure for clearance for agriculture by the large and increasing human population. This species is intolerant of secondary forest, both caused by shifting agriculture and logging^4,5,7.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It is protected by law in both countries.

Conservation measures proposed Run an awareness campaign educating people about the species and its conservation and promote alternative materials for use in traditional head-dresses. Survey gaps within the known range. Estimate population densities and sizes at known sites. Research rates of forest loss in preferred altitudinal range. Monitor numbers at the most accessible sites such as Ambua Lodge. Monitor effects of hunting bans at Ok Tedi and Crater Mountain. Monitor trade prices and quantities. Investigate hunting levels and attitudes to control amongst hunters. Create large, locally-managed forest reserves with an enforced hunting ban. Run awareness programmes for landowners. Enforce existing legislation. Utilise as a flagship species for ecotourism ventures.

References 1. Beehler and Pruett-Jones (1983). 2. I. Burrows in litt. (1999). 3. Coates (1990). 4. Diamond (1972). 5. Frith and Beehler (1998). 6. D. Gibbs verbally (2000). 7. Kwapena (1985). 8. B. Whitney in litt. (2000). 9. B. M. Beehler in litt. (2007).

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 Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors B. M. Beehler (Conservation International), Ian Burrows, Bret Whitney (Louisiana State University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Epimachus fastuosus. 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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

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