Moluccan Goshawk Accipiter henicogrammus (BirdLife species factsheet) is found on the islands of Morotai, Halmahera and Bacan, at least (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001) (in the Northern Maluku Endemic Bird Area), Indonesia. It inhabits hill and mountain forest and forest edge from sea-level to 1,300 m, mostly above 200 m.
It is currently listed as being of Least Concern, on the basis that it was not thought to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under any of the IUCN Red List criteria.
A recent study by Vetter (2009) used remote sensing techniques to track the rate and spatial pattern of forest loss in the North Maluku Endemic Bird Area between 1990 and 2003, and project rates of deforestation over the next three generations for restricted range bird species found in this region, with consequent recommendations for category changes on the IUCN Red List.
This study estimated the rate of forest loss within the geographic and elevation range of Moluccan Goshawk to be c.20% between 1990 and 2003, and projected the loss of c.36% of forest in its range over the next three generations (estimated by BirdLife to be c.22 years, based on an estimated generation length of c.7.2 years).
Vetter (2009) states that this species should be uplisted to Vulnerable, based on this forest loss analysis; however, it may be tolerant of some habitat modification, and it is found at higher elevations, where forest is expected to be comparatively more secure, perhaps buffering its population against the impacts of projected forest loss throughout its geographic range.
It is suggested that the species be uplisted to Near Threatened under criterion A3, on the basis that it is suspected that it will undergo a moderately rapid population decline (approaching 30%) over the next three generations (22 years) owing to projected habitat loss.
Comments on this potential category change and further information would be welcomed.
References:
Ferguson-Lees, J. and Christie, D. A. (2001) Raptors of the world. London: Christopher Helm.
Vetter, J. (2009) Impacts of Deforestation on the Conservation Status of Endemic Birds in the North Maluku Endemic Bird Area from 1990-2003. MSc Project. Durham, NC: Duke University.
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