Justification Although this species is moderately susceptibility to stochastic events and human activities owing to its extremely small range, this is spread out over many small islets, so it qualifies Near Threatened. Further data are required on its habitat requirements, population sizes and trends on each island, and movement between these subpopulations.

Family/Sub-family Sturnidae

Species name author (Ramsay, 1882)

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

Identification 20 cm. Medium-sized, dumpy starling of tiny islands. Adult glossy black with yellow eyes. Immature has paler scales on underparts and duller eyes. Similar spp. Singing Starling A. cantoroides has red eyes and is more elongate, with longer tail and more pointed wings. Metallic Starling A. metallica has red eyes and is slimmer with much longer tail. Extralimital Rennell Starling A. insularis used to be considered conspecific but is structurally and vocally distinct. Voice Range of starling chatters and whistles. Hints Often encountered around gardens and forest edge. Occasionally seen in small flocks.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

stable

44 km²

No

Range & population Aplonis feadensis is an extreme small-island specialist, occurring on a number of tiny atolls in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. It breeds on islands in the Ninigo (3 km²), Hermit (8 km²), Tench (less than 1 km²), Nissan (37 km²), Nguria (5 km²) and Ontong Java groups (10 km²). It is fairly common on these islands^1,2,3,4 with day-counts of c.30 birds on Tench and Nissan in 1998⁵ and 15 on Tench in 1999⁶. There is no indication of changes in the population.

Ecology: This is a largely frugivorous starling, usually foraging in pairs in the canopy, but also raiding gardens for bananas and other fruit^1,2,3,4,5. Its dependence on natural forest or tree species is not known. It nests in holes in old and damaged trees and coconut palms. Its dispersal abilities are not well-known beyond flying between islands within a group, but inter-island morphological variation suggests limited gene flow³.

Threats It is threatened by natural causes such as cyclone damage and colonisation of its islands by A. cantoroides, exacerbated by ongoing habitat changes. It is generally assumed to be unable to compete with A. cantoroides^2,3, although it coexists with A. metallica on Nissan and apparently with A. cantoroides on some of the Ninigo islands - however, the latter situation may be unstable^2,3. All the islands except Nissan are tiny and have a high human population pressure on the small and fragmented remaining forested habitats. As well as clearance for agriculture, large areas have been cleared for coconut plantations. It is not known how tolerant it is to habitat change, but its dependence on holes for nesting may be a limiting factor. It is potentially at risk from climate change, as most of the islands it inhabits only rise a few metres above sea-level⁷.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Re-survey small islets across the species's range. Re-survey distribution of this species and A. cantoroides on the Ninigos. Ascertain area of forest and rates of clearance on all occupied islands. Ascertain habitat requirements. Assess distribution, population level and trends on Nissan. Investigate competition and ecological segregation with A. cantoroides. Relate distribution to that of introduced predatory species. Monitor population trends on Nissan. Advocate retention of natural forest reserves on all islands, regardless of their size. Initiate public awareness and education programmes regarding this species and the threats of introducing exotic species. Assess isolation of sub-populations through comparison of specimens.

References 1. Bayliss-Smith (1972). 2. Bell (1975). 3. Coates (1990). 4. Finch (1986). 5. G. Dutson pers. obs. (1998). 6. Hornbuckle (1999a). 7. G. Dutson in litt. (2004).

Text account compilers Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Guy Dutson (Birds Australia)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Aplonis feadensis. 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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