Avifauna
Rapa Fruit Dove
Family: Columbidae
Scientific Name: Ptilinopus huttoni
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Vulnerable
Distribution: endemic to Rapa, French Polynesia
Habitat: lowland forests
Threats: habitat loss due to grazing and fires, cats, Rattus exulans
Additional Facts: The Rapa Fruit Dove is one of fifty rarest birds in world. It has a very small population that used to be confined to undisturbed forest fragments on the Rapa island; however, now the species are sometimes spotted in local pine plantations. Although its native habitat shrunk in the 20th century, the population did not suffer any dramatic decrease, possibly due to the introduction of Psidium cattleianum that may have provided an additional food source to the Ptilinopus huttoni. Proposals for conserving this rare species includes captive breeding and the establishment of a protected area in upland forests.
Scientific Name: Ptilinopus huttoni
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Vulnerable
Distribution: endemic to Rapa, French Polynesia
Habitat: lowland forests
Threats: habitat loss due to grazing and fires, cats, Rattus exulans
Additional Facts: The Rapa Fruit Dove is one of fifty rarest birds in world. It has a very small population that used to be confined to undisturbed forest fragments on the Rapa island; however, now the species are sometimes spotted in local pine plantations. Although its native habitat shrunk in the 20th century, the population did not suffer any dramatic decrease, possibly due to the introduction of Psidium cattleianum that may have provided an additional food source to the Ptilinopus huttoni. Proposals for conserving this rare species includes captive breeding and the establishment of a protected area in upland forests.
Polynesian Storm Petrel
Family: Hydrobatidae
Scientific Name: Nesofregetta fuliginosa
Endemic: No
IUCN Classification: Endangered
Distribution: Chile, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, possibly American Samoa, possibly Fiji, and possibly Samoa
Habitat: open seas, rocky and sandy shores
Threats: rats, cats, Mus musculus, human disturbance, cultivation, invasive species
Additional Facts: The Nesofregetta fuliginosa is the largest storm petrel. It is polymorphic and breeds in loosely formed colonies. Current conservation efforts includes a survey of all nesting islets, an eradication program of all rats and cats from key islets within the species' breeding range,
Scientific Name: Nesofregetta fuliginosa
Endemic: No
IUCN Classification: Endangered
Distribution: Chile, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, possibly American Samoa, possibly Fiji, and possibly Samoa
Habitat: open seas, rocky and sandy shores
Threats: rats, cats, Mus musculus, human disturbance, cultivation, invasive species
Additional Facts: The Nesofregetta fuliginosa is the largest storm petrel. It is polymorphic and breeds in loosely formed colonies. Current conservation efforts includes a survey of all nesting islets, an eradication program of all rats and cats from key islets within the species' breeding range,
Murphy's Petrel
Family: Procellariidae
Scientific Name: Pterodroma ultima
Endemic: No
IUCN Classification: Near Threatened
Distribution: tropical oceanic islands in the Austral, Tuamotu, and Pitcairn island groups
Habitat: rocky islets and cliffs
Threats: Rattus exulans, climate change
Additional Facts: The Murphy's Petral has a relatively small range. Although rats have been eradicated from the site of the largest breeding population, the numbers of the Pterodroma ultima continues to slowly decline. Current and future conservation efforts revolve around the expansion of the rat eradication program to other Pterodroma ultima populations, like the one on Ducie.
Scientific Name: Pterodroma ultima
Endemic: No
IUCN Classification: Near Threatened
Distribution: tropical oceanic islands in the Austral, Tuamotu, and Pitcairn island groups
Habitat: rocky islets and cliffs
Threats: Rattus exulans, climate change
Additional Facts: The Murphy's Petral has a relatively small range. Although rats have been eradicated from the site of the largest breeding population, the numbers of the Pterodroma ultima continues to slowly decline. Current and future conservation efforts revolve around the expansion of the rat eradication program to other Pterodroma ultima populations, like the one on Ducie.
Kuhl's Lorikeet
Family: Psittacidae
Scientific Name: Vini kuhlii
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Endangered
Distribution: endemic to Rimatara and Tubuai, Kiribati
Habitat: horticulture woodlands, coconut plantations
Threats: Rattus rattus, Acridotheres tristis, cats
Additional Facts: Kuhl's Lorikeet is a nectarivore that feeds on a wide variety of flowering plants. It is widely popular in aviaries and as pets. In Kiribati, the species is fully protected and in the French Polynesia, Vini kuhlii is protected by the national legislation since 1996. The Kuhl's Lorikeet has been successfully introduced to Atiu. Current conservation efforts focuses on controlling the Common Myna population and preventing the invasion of black rats on the islands.
Scientific Name: Vini kuhlii
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Endangered
Distribution: endemic to Rimatara and Tubuai, Kiribati
Habitat: horticulture woodlands, coconut plantations
Threats: Rattus rattus, Acridotheres tristis, cats
Additional Facts: Kuhl's Lorikeet is a nectarivore that feeds on a wide variety of flowering plants. It is widely popular in aviaries and as pets. In Kiribati, the species is fully protected and in the French Polynesia, Vini kuhlii is protected by the national legislation since 1996. The Kuhl's Lorikeet has been successfully introduced to Atiu. Current conservation efforts focuses on controlling the Common Myna population and preventing the invasion of black rats on the islands.
Rimatara Reed Warbler
Family: Acrocephalidae
Scientific Name: Acrocephalus rimitarae
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Vulnerable
Distribution: in subtropical or tropical dry forests and swamps in the French Polynesia
Habitat: wooded areas, mixed horticulture, coastal forests, natural forest on limestone substrates
Threats: habitat destruction, feral cats, introduction of non-native species
Additional Facts: Although the current population trend of the Acrocephalus rimitarae is stable as it is commonly found throughout Rimatara, its status is vulnerable since it is confined to only one island in the French Polynesia. The Rimatara Weed Warbler also needs the forest for nesting so deforestation is a concern to this species. Current conservation efforts for crocephalus rimitarae includes a population survey, a threats assessment, and biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of black rats to the island.
Scientific Name: Acrocephalus rimitarae
Endemic: Yes
IUCN Classification: Vulnerable
Distribution: in subtropical or tropical dry forests and swamps in the French Polynesia
Habitat: wooded areas, mixed horticulture, coastal forests, natural forest on limestone substrates
Threats: habitat destruction, feral cats, introduction of non-native species
Additional Facts: Although the current population trend of the Acrocephalus rimitarae is stable as it is commonly found throughout Rimatara, its status is vulnerable since it is confined to only one island in the French Polynesia. The Rimatara Weed Warbler also needs the forest for nesting so deforestation is a concern to this species. Current conservation efforts for crocephalus rimitarae includes a population survey, a threats assessment, and biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of black rats to the island.
References
- BirdLife International 2012. Acrocephalus rimatarae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
- BirdLife International 2012. Nesofregetta fuliginosa. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
- BirdLife International 2012. Pterodroma ultima. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
- BirdLife International 2012. Vini kuhlii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
- BirdLife International 2012. Ptilinopus huttoni. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
- "Fiji Bird Watching » Polynesian Storm Petrel (Nesofregetta Fuliginosa)." Fiji Bird Watching Polynesian Storm Petrel Nesofregetta Fuliginosa Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://fiji-bird-watching.com/bird-species/seabirds/polynesian-storm-petrel-nesofregetta-fuliginosa/>.
- "Kuhl's Lories." (Vini Kuhlii). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://www.avianweb.com/kuhlslories.html>.
- "Murphy's Petrels." (Pterodroma Ultima). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://www.avianweb.com/murphyspetrels.html>.
- "Rapa Fruit Doves." (Ptilinopus Huttoni). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://www.avianweb.com/rapafruitdoves.html>.