Species

Justification
Although its population is likely to be moderately small, much of this species's small and fragmented range is inaccessible, rendering it fairly secure. However, mining and road construction are increasingly allowing access to highland areas where unregulated hunting quickly follows, and is likely to be leading to a decline. It is consequently classified as Near Threatened.

Taxonomic source(s)
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Distribution and population
Anurophasis monorthonyx is endemic to the highest peaks of the Snow and Star Mountains of Papua, Indonesia (Beehler et al. 1986, K. D. Bishop and J. M. Diamond in litt. 2000). It has long been known only from the northern slopes of Mounts Jaya (Carstensz) and Trikora (Wilhelmina), where it appears to be uncommon (Beehler et al. 1986, Gibbs 1993, M. Van Beirs in litt. 2000). There are recent records from Lake Habbema, below Mount Trikora (Gibbs 1993, Eastwood 1996b, M. Van Beirs in litt. 2000, Davies 2008), and from close to the Freeport mine (S. van Balen in litt. 2000). However, its recent discovery in the Star Mountains (K. D. Bishop and J. M. Diamond in litt. 2000) suggests that it may be much more widespread in the little-known high mountains of Papua. It has a small and naturally fragmented range, and its population appears to be naturally low.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, and there is a need for survey work in its habitat.

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends; however, hunting and habitat degradation are suspected to be causing a decline in some sub-populations.

Ecology
It inhabits high grassland plateaux and the edge of heavy alpine scrub with trees, between c.3,000 and 4,200 m.

Threats
Its relatively inaccessible habitats are generally not threatened, but some habitat has been lost around the Freeport mine (S. van Balen in litt. 2000). However, it is actively hunted in accessible areas and the Trans-Irian Highway from Jayapura to Wamena will open up a large area of previously inaccessible habitat to hunters (N. Bostock in litt. 1993, D. Gibbs in litt. 2000, Davies 2008).

Conservation actions underway
None is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Survey to assess the size of sub-populations. Conduct searches in suitable habitat to discover additional sub-populations. Control hunting in accessible areas. Restrict operations which might destroy habitat within the species's range.

References
Beehler, B. M.; Pratt, T. K.; Zimmerman, D. A. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Gibbs, D. 1993. Irian Jaya, Indonesia, 21 January--12 March 1991: a site guide for birdwatchers, with brief notes from 1992.

Eastwood, C. 1996. A trip to Irian Jaya. Muruk 8(1): 12-23.

Davies, C. 2008. Mount Trikora, Snow Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia 2-17 July 2007. Muruk 9(1): 41-47.

Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Mahood, S., O'Brien, A., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Bishop, K., Bostock, N., Diamond, J., Gibbs, D., van Balen, S., van Beirs, M.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Anurophasis monorthonyx. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013.

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

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.

Additional resources for this species

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