Justification This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has a tiny population and is on the verge of extinction. However, intensive conservation action has reversed its decline and initial the results are promising, with the population increasing substantially.

Family/Sub-family Monarchidae

Species name author (Sparrman, 1786)

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

Identification 15 cm. Monochrome flycatcher. Adults entirely black with pale blue bill. Immatures rufous-cinnamon, paler below. Voice Call a sharp tick-tick-tick. Song a complex, flute-like melody.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

40 - 45

increasing

28 km²

Yes

Range & population Pomarea nigra is endemic to Tahiti in the Society Islands, French Polynesia. It was apparently rare throughout the 20th century and, during the period 1986-1991, was noted in only four valleys (several pairs at each locality) out of 39 visited³. In September 1998, 27 birds (12 pairs) were located within these four lowland valleys. This figure has remained stable or perhaps increased slightly and in 2006 there were 12 territories occupied by 19 adult or subadult birds in accessible parts of the valleys, with new pairs even becoming established in abandoned territories, and the total population estimated at 40-45 individuals^11,12. 19 birds (including 7 breeding pairs) were located in accessible areas in 2007¹³.

Ecology: It is only found between 80 m and 400 m in altitude where the tree "mara" Neonauclea forsteri is a common feature of the four valleys where it survives⁶. It is highly territorial, foraging both in the canopy and the undergrowth for insects⁴.

Threats Its decline on Mt Mara`u might be related to the replacement of the high, dense forest by shrubs of the botanical pest Miconia calvescens, introduced in 1937, whose progression was partly facilitated by a hurricane in 1983⁷. A decline in habitat quality is a likely threat elsewhere, as forest is largely composed of introduced invasive species, such as the African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata, and usually confined to a narrow strip along the floor of steep basalt canyons². Predation by rats, particularly black rat Rattus rattus, is an important factor^1,10. A three-year study showed that significantly more Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer and Common Myna Acridotheres tristis were present in territories that experienced nest failure or early fledgling death⁹. Introduced birds may therefore also be an important threat^1,9.

Conservation measures underway In 1998, rat control around known nests (using poisoning and tree-banding) was initiated by the Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie MANU¹. Rat control was successful if conducted throughout the year and over the entire valley. However, if control was confined to monarch territories only, re-invasions occur on a regular basis⁸. Rat control is ongoing. An action plan has also been produced⁶, and the feasibility of translocation is being assessed. It was planned to protect all known pairs from rats by the end of 2008¹³.

Conservation measures proposed Regularly monitor known territories in the four valleys, including searching for nests⁶. Search for birds in previously known locations and survey possible new areas⁶. Continue rat control using a combination of poisoning and tree-banding^1,5,6. Conduct experiments to improve the quality of the habitat in a couple of valleys by encouraging the growth of young mara trees and removing African tulip trees⁶. Confirm the impact of introduced birds and investigate their control^1,5,6. If essential, take surviving birds into captivity, increase this population through captive breeding and release once a suitable site/island has been identified/restored^1,6.

References 1. Blainvillain (2000). 2. Gaze (1998). 3. Monnet et al. (1993b). 4. Pratt et al. (1987). 5. SPREP (1999). 6. Thibault et al. (1999). 7. J.-C. Thibault in litt. (1993). 8. Blanvillain et al. (2002a). 9. Blanvillain et al. (2002). 10. Thibault et al. (2002). 11. P. Raust in litt. (2005). 12. Gouni et al. (2007). 13. T. Ghestemme in litt. (2008).

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 Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Thomas Ghestemme (Société d'Estudes Ornithologiques de La Réunion), Anne Gouni (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu"), Philippe Raust (Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie "Manu"), Jean-Claude Thibault (Parc Naturel Régional de Corse)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pomarea nigra. 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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