Species

Justification
This megapode occurs at moderate density within its very small range. Its global population size has not been estimated, but it is thought to be declining owing to habitat loss and hunting. However, the species persists in unfragmented habitat and is known from several islands. It therefore qualifies as Near Threatened.

Taxonomic source(s)
Jones, D. N.; Dekker, R. W. R. J.; Roselaar, C. S. 1995. The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.

Taxonomic note
Megapodius reinwardt (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into M. reinwardt and M. tenimberensis following Jones et al. (1995).

Identification
35-47 cm. A large brownish-olive megapode.More chestnut on the back and charcoal grey beneath. Nape with very short pointed crest. Has a pale bill and red skin around the eye. Red legs. Sexes similar. Similar spp. The congener, Orange-footed Megapode M. reinwardt is slightly darker and does not occur within the species's range.

Distribution and population
Megapodius tenimberensis is endemic to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia. It is sparsely distributed throughout the lowlands, and is thought to be declining owing to habitat loss and exploitation (Bishop and Brickle 1998).

Population justification
The global population is estimated as 1,000-10,000 individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1994), roughly equivalent to 670-6,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The species is suspected to be in decline, based on estimates of habitat loss (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2006).

Ecology
It occurs in primary, old selectively logged and tall secondary, semi-evergreen forest.

Threats
This megapode is threatened by forest loss on the island of Yamdena. There is also evidence of hunting in the southern part of the island where forest clearance is most prevalent (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2006).

Conservation actions underway
A large protected area covering a representative range of habitats of Yamdena was proposed in 1995 (Jepson 1995).

Conservation actions proposed
Prevent hunting and forest clearance within protected areas. Repeat surveys on the Tanimbar Islands to estimate the species's population size and assess its status.

References
Jones, D. N.; Dekker, R. W. R. J.; Roselaar, C. S. 1995. The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.

Bishop, D. and Brickle, N.W. 1998. An annotated checklist of the birds of the Tanimbar Islands. Kukila 10: 115-150.

Text account compilers
Bird, J., Butchart, S., Mahood, S., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Bishop, K.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Megapodius tenimberensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

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.

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