Pitta superba Rothschild & Hartert, 1914

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Range Description:

Pitta superba is endemic to Manus in the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. It has an enigmatically patchy distribution and probably occurs at low population densities. Four pairs have been found in recent years around Rossun village, whilst in 2002 three birds were heard within a small area of forest 10 km inland from the north-western coast8, however by 2007 only one bird could be located9. Whilst most of Manus remains unsurveyed and this bird may be largely silent and thus overlooked, it is absent from several seemingly suitable areas3,4,5. A total of 29 specimens were collected in two months in 19137, suggesting either that this species's favoured haunts have not been rediscovered or that it has undergone a steep decline.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

Virtually all recent records of this very shy species are of calling birds. Records are from primary forest and patchy forest with areas of secondary forest and garden regrowth at 100-200 m. It has not been recorded on steep slopes or in the slightly submontane forest of interior Manus. Possible habitat preferences which have been suggested include bamboo thickets or open hilltop forest near a reasonably large river with stones, which are used as anvils to break mollusc shells3,4,5.

Systems

  • Terrestrial
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

IUCN Red List Assessment:
Red List Category

VU
Vulnerable

Red List Criteria

D1

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s

Gregory, P., Williams, A., Gibbs, D., Dutson, G., Beck, R., Burrows, I.

Justification

The known population of this aptly named species is very small, leading to a classification as Vulnerable. If it is found to be declining, then it may be recategorised as Endangered. However, it may prove to be more common than currently estimated.

History

  • 2004
    Vulnerable
  • 2000
    Vulnerable
  • 1996
    Vulnerable
  • 1994
    Vulnerable
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

Population:

Population

Population estimate = 2.8 individuals/km2 x 368 km2 (20% EOO) = 1,030, but probably best placed precautionarily in the band 250-999 individuals, on basis that it probably "occurs at low population densities" (density lowest of nine estimates for six congeners in the BirdLife Population Density Spreadsheet).

Population Trend

Unknown
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

Threats:

Major Threats

Large areas of Manus have been logged or are under logging concessions. However, as its habitat requirements are unclear, it is not known whether this species is threatened by habitat degradation3,5. It is possibly threatened by introduced species such as cats and dogs but the brown tree snake Boiga irregularis, which has decimated birds on Guam, is thought to be native to Manus1,3. A proposal to build a space station on Manus is currently shelved2,6.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey elsewhere on Manus. Interview local villagers about this species's distribution and population trends. Map territories around Rossun and relate to habitat types. Investigate feeding and breeding ecology around Rossun. Investigate impact of introduced predatory species. Monitor numbers calling around Rossun. Encourage designation of large community-based conservation areas. Use as a flagship species in encouraging ecotourism initiatives with local landowners. Use as a flagship species in general provincial conservation awareness programmes.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106004007

Superb pitta:

The superb pitta (Pitta superba) is a large pitta.



Description[edit]

It is about 22 cm long. It has black plumage with turquoise blue wings, a scarlet belly and green-tipped secondaries. Both sexes are almost similar. The female is a slightly smaller and duller than the male. As with other pittas, it is a secretive and rarely seen terrestrial bird. The diet consists mainly of snails.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

The superb pitta is distributed and endemic to primary and secondary forests of Manus Island of Papua New Guinea. Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and small population size, it is evaluated as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References[edit]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2013). "Pitta superba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013. 
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorWikipedia
Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Superb_pitta&oldid=615007396

Range Description:

Pitta superba is endemic to Manus in the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. It has an enigmatic and patchy distribution and probably occurs at low population densities. Four pairs have been found in recent years around Rossun village, whilst in 2002 three birds were heard within a small area of forest 10 km inland from the north-western coast (Williams in litt. 2002); however, by 2007 only one bird could be located(P. Gregory per G. Dutson in litt. 2007). Whilst most of Manus remains unsurveyed and this bird may be largely silent and thus overlooked, it is absent from several seemingly suitable areas (Dutson and Newman 1991, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997, A. Mack in litt. 2012). During eight visits to Manus between 2002 and 2005, birds were found to be absent from areas close to where they had previously been recorded and at most sites this species was either absent or present at very low densities (A. Mack in litt. 2012). Interviews with local people during these visits also found that many were unfamiliar with the species (A. Mack in litt. 2012), although such interviews should be interpreted with caution. A total of 29 specimens were collected in two months in 1913 (Rothschild and Hartert 1914), suggesting either that this species's favoured haunts have not been rediscovered or that it has undergone a steep decline.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22698640

Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

Virtually all recent records of this very shy species are of calling birds. Records are from primary forest and patchy forest with areas of secondary forest and garden regrowth at 100-200m. It has not been recorded on steep slopes or in the slightly submontane forest of interior Manus. Possible habitat preferences that have been suggested include bamboo thickets or open hilltop forest near a reasonably large river with stones, which are used as anvils to break mollusc shells (Dutson and Newman 1991, D. Gibbs in litt. 1994, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1997).

Systems

  • Terrestrial
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22698640

IUCN Red List Assessment:
Red List Category

EN
Endangered

Red List Criteria

C2a(i,ii)

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2013

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s

Butchart, S.

Contributor/s

Beck, R., Burrows, I., Dutson, G., Gibbs, D., Gregory, P., Williams, A. & Mack, A.

Justification

This species is has been uplisted from Vulnerable because its population, which was previously thought to be stable, is now thought to be in decline based on new information. It is listed as Endangered on the basis that it has a very small population which is inferred to be in decline based on known threats to the species's habitat and apparent population declines in some locations.

History

  • 2012
    Vulnerable (VU)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Threatened (T)
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22698640
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith