Species

Justification
This species is thought to have a moderately small and declining range and consequently it is considered 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
Erithacus komadori is the most abundant of the endemic birds restricted to the Nansei Shoto archipelago, Japan. Three subspecies are currently recognised: subspecies subrufa, which occurs on the islands of Ishigaki, Iriomote and Yonaguni (where it is poorly known and may be of doubtful validity); subspecies namiyei, which is endemic to the northern part of Okinawa Island, and subspecies komadori, which inhabits the southern islands of of Kagoshima and Okinawa. The population is considered to be around 80,000-90,000 individuals (S. Chan in litt. 2003). It remains common on Amami-oshima, Toku-noshima and the northern part of Okinawa, but steep declines have been reported from some islands.

Population justification
The global population size has been estimated at c.80,000-90,000 individuals (S. Chan in litt. 2003), while the population in Japan has been estimated at c.100-100,000 breeding pairs.

Trend justification
The species is suspected to be declining at a slow to moderate rate, owing to habitat loss and degradation.

Ecology
It inhabits dense undergrowth in damp areas within riparian broad-leaved evergreen forest and nests in crevices or among the roots of trees from May to August. It occurs from 100-600 m in different parts of its range. It is a partial migrant and in the winter many birds relocate to the southern islands of the archipelago (Brazil 1991).

Threats
Threats include predation by introduced mongoose (Okinawa) and weasels (Nakanoshima), and habitat loss resulting from commercial logging.

Conservation actions underway
It is considered Vulnerable in the most recent national Red Data Book for Japan (Ministry of the Environment 2002). It makes use of artificial nest boxes that have been erected.

Conservation actions proposed
Monitor the species in order to detect populations declines. If declines are evident consider appropriate management actions including predator control and reducing commercial logging. Calculate its range size and the area of suitable habitat. Protect areas of suitable habitat.

References
Collar, N. J. 2005. Family Turdidae (Thrushes). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, C. (eds), Handbook of birds of the world Vol. 10, pp. 514-807. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Brazil, M. A. 1991. The birds of Japan. Chistopher Helm, London.

Ministry of the Environment. 2002. Threatened Wildlife of Japan Red Data Book, 2 Aves. Japan Wildlife Research Center, Tokyo.

Further web sources of information
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Khwaja, N.

Contributors
Chan, S.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Erithacus komadori. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013.

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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