Sangihe and Talaud

Country/Territory

Indonesia

Area

1,700

Altitude

0 - 1,700m

Priority

critical

Habitat loss

major

Knowledge

poor

General characteristics
This Indonesian EBA extends northwards from near the tip of the Minahassa peninsula of northern
Sulawesi (EBA 166) towards the southern tip of Mindanao (EBA 154) in the Philippines; it comprises the
Sangihe and Talaud island groups and the tiny island of Miangas, all of which are in Sulawesi Utara
province. The Sangihe group are mountainous, rising to 1,784m on Siau and 1,320m on the main island
of Sangihe, but Talaud and Miangas are relatively low-lying. The natural vegetation of the islands is
tropical lowland evergreen rain forest, with tropical montane rain forest at the higher altitudes, and
probably some areas of forest on limestone (Whitmore 1984). On Sangihe, however, virtually all of the
forest has been replaced by coconut and nutmeg plantations and the secondary vegetation of abandoned
gardens (Whitten et al. 1987c,d).
Restricted-range species
The habitat requirements and distributions of the restricted-range species are incompletely known,
because the larger islands in the EBA have only been visited by ornithologists on a few occasions, and
some of the smaller islands have seldom, if ever, been studied (see White and Bruce 1986, Bishop 1992).
A survey of the main islands in the Sangihe and Talaud groups in 1995 recorded all five species which are
confined to the EBA (Riley 1995). Of the three species which are endemic to the Sangihe group,Loriculus
catamene and Aethopyga duyvenbodei were found to be locally common, and birds believed to
be Eutrichomyias rowleyi (a monotypic genus endemic to the EBA which was feared extinct: Whitten et
al. 1987c) were found to survive in small numbers in remnant forest patches and adjacent agricultural
land and plantations. Todirhamphus enigma, which is endemic to Talaud, was found to be common in the
forested interior of the main island. Eos histrio was recorded in small numbers in forest and adjacent
plantations on Talaud, and a tiny population was found in plantations adjacent to remnant forest patches
on Sangihe, where this species was previously feared to be extinct. A form of shrikethrush Colluricincla from Sangihe was provisionally treated as a subspecies of Rufous Shrikethrush C.megarhycha (by, e.g., White and Bruce 1986), but studies since its rediscovery on Mt
Sahendaruman in 1986 suggest that it would be better treated as an endemic species (Rozendaal and
Lambert in prep.). In 1996, a new taxon of Gymnocrex rail was found on Talaud, and this may also prove
to be an endemic species (F. Lambert verbally 1997).
Species

IUCN Category

Elegant Imperial-pigeon (Ducula concinna)

LC

Grey Imperial-pigeon (Ducula pickeringii)

VU

Sangihe Hanging-parrot (Loriculus catamene)

NT

Red-and-blue Lory (Eos histrio)

EN

Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher (Cittura cyanotis)

NT

Talaud Kingfisher (Todiramphus enigma)

NT

Sulawesi Kingfisher (Ceyx fallax)

NT

Pied Cuckooshrike (Coracina bicolor)

NT

Cerulean Paradise-flycatcher (Eutrichomyias rowleyi)

CR

Elegant Sunbird (Aethopyga duyvenbodei)

EN

Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

IBA Code

Site Name

Country

ID160

Karakelang

Indonesia

ID161

Salibabu Island

Indonesia

ID162

Kabaruang (Kabaruan)

Indonesia

ID163

Gunung Awu

Indonesia

ID164

Pegunungan Sahendaruman

Indonesia

ID165

Siau

Indonesia

Threats and conservation

Most of the islands of the EBA were largely deforested by 1920 (Whitten et al. 1987c), and the only
extensive natural forest now remaining is on Karakelang, the main island of the Talaud group. In the
Sangihe group, the only remaining forest on the main island is in mainly secondary patches on Mt Awu
and around the peak of Mt Sahendaruman, while little or no forest is believed to exist on the volcanically
very active island of Siau (Bishop 1992, Riley 1995, K.D. Bishop in litt. 1993).
Five of the restricted-range species are classified as threatened, including four of the five species endemic
to the EBA, and the poorly known small island specialist, Ducula pickeringii. The main threat to most of
these is continuing habitat loss, particularly on Sangihe, but Eos histrio is also threatened by illegal
trapping for the wild bird trade (Nash 1993, Riley 1995) and possibly by introduced species of parrot (F.
Lambert verbally 1997). A more widespread threatened species which occurs on Talaud is Blue-naped
Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis (classified as Endangered), which formerly occurred widely in the
Philippines but is threatened by habitat loss and heavy trapping for the wild bird trade.
The only protected area in this EBA is Karakelang Hunting Park on Talaud, where site evaluation is
required to define boundaries and management needs, and it has been recommended that its status
should be changed to Wildlife Sanctuary. On Sangihe, Mt Sahendaruman has been proposed as a new
protected area, as it contains one of the few remaining areas of forest on the main island (Sujatnika and
Jepson 1995), and several of the restricted-range species were recorded there in 1995 (Riley 1995).
However, the area of forest here is small, and there is a need for surveys of both the main island and the
smaller islands of the Sangihe group to locate more areas of forest which may be suitable as reserves.
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Endemic Bird Area factsheet: Sangihe and Talaud.
Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 01/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=166

Elegant Imperial-pigeon Ducula concinna

Justification
Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for
Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining
or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or
severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is
not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend
criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified,
but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion
(<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three
generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least
Concern.
Taxonomic source(s)
Christidis, L.; Boles, W. E. 1994. The taxonomy and species of birds of Australia and its territories. Royal
Australasian Ornithologists' Union, Melbourne.
Christidis, L.; Boles, W. E. 2008. Systematics and taxonomy of Australian birds. CSIRO Publishing,
Collingwood, Australia.

Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press,
New Haven, USA.

Map data 2013 Google, MapIT - Terms of Use

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally common to
very common (del Hoyo et al. 1997).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels
of exploitation.

Further web sources of information

Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from
around the world.
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J.
IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Ducula concinna. Downloaded
fromhttp://www.birdlife.org on 01/06/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one
species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.orgon
01/06/2013.
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.

Grey Imperial-pigeon Ducula pickeringii

Justification
This species occupies a very small range, currently occurring at perhaps fewer than ten locations. Its
range, habitat and numbers are known or inferred to be in decline owing to the increasing conversion of
natural forests to palm plantations. These factors qualify it as Vulnerable.
Taxonomic source(s)
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press,
New Haven, USA.
Identification
40 cm. Largish imperial-pigeon. Pinkish-grey head, neck and underparts, pinkest on breast and throat,
greyest on hindneck. Pale eye-ring and band at base of dark bill. Greyish-brown back, rump and wings
with slight green iridescence. Blackish-green tail. Dark iris, reddish legs. Similar spp. Green Imperialpigeon D. aenea is larger, greener with rufous undertail-coverts. Voice A regular 'woo, woo, woo' usually
lasting seven notes but at times shorter (Melville 1997), however, other observers report a deep 'whrrooh'
repeated intermittently (Q. Phillipps in litt. 2012). Hints Most conspicuous when coming to roost at
favoured islands.

Distribution and population

Ducula pickeringii is known from c.20 small islands off Palawan, Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago in
the southernPhilippines, c.13 small islands off the mainland coast of Sabah, Malaysia(north Borneo),
the Derawan Islands (including Sangalaki, Kakaban and Maratua), East Kalimantan, Indonesiaand the
Talaud islands off northern Sulawesi, Indonesia (Collar et al. 1999). Early reports describe it as plentiful at
several localities. There are recent (post-1980) records from eight islands in the Philippines (Baguan,
Cadiao, Lagen, Tandubatu, Rasa, Bugsok, Pandana and Ursula as well as in Malampaya Sound and Honda
Bay), four islands off Sabah, and Sangalaki (Meier 2004) and Karakelang islands (Indonesia), with a
maximum count of c.30 on key islands Ursula (Philippines), and Pulau Mantanani (Sabah, Malaysia)
indicating that its range and population have decreased significantly. It is reputedly still common on the
Talaud Islands (J. Eaton in litt. 2012).
Population justification
A population estimate of 2,500-9,999 individuals has been derived from analysis of records and surveys
in BirdLife International (2001). This equates to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,5007,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be in decline owing to the on-going loss and degradation of its forest habitat,
combined with hunting pressure.
Ecology
It inhabits a variety of lowland, primary forest-types, also frequenting secondary forest and cultivated
areas with trees. It has been noted feeding on fruits of Ficus procera and Cananga odorata, both common
trees in primary forest and secondary habitats (Riley 2003). Little is known about its movements. It is
reportedly resident on some northern Bornean islands, but certainly moves between Philippine islands,
and varied in abundance from 1995-1997 on Karakelang, Indonesia. Like other small-island specialists, it
presumably wanders in search of food.
Threats
Habitat clearance and degradation are the primary threats, with native forest on small islands being
replaced by plantations across much of its range. The species's large size and unwary disposition render it
vulnerable to hunting whenever it comes into contact with human populations; birds are taken for food,
pets and trade. Introduced mammalian predators may cause birds to abandon some islands. Tourism
developments may place pressures on island populations when habitat is cleared and through
disturbance (G. Davison in litt. 2007). However, some resort development may be positive where resort
grounds provide a safe haven (Q. Phillipps in litt. 2012). The effect of competition with Green Imperialpigeon D. aenea is not understood but this species has begun to outnumber D. pickeringii on Rasa
Island (P. Widmann in litt. 2007).
Conservation actions underway
There are recent records from several protected areas: Baguan Island within the Turtle Islands Marine
Natural Park (Philippines), Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (off Sabah), the Maratuas and Pulau
Mantanani Bird Sanctuary (G. Davison in litt. 2007). Rasa Island (southern Palawan) has also been
protected under municipal law since 1999 and under national law since 2005. The species may benefit at
this site owing to a wardening scheme in place primarily for the conservation of Philippine Cockatoo (P.
Widmann in litt. 2007). The Karakelang Hunting Reserve (Talaud islands) may also offer some protection,
but requires evaluation to define boundaries and management needs.
Conservation actions proposed
Conduct comprehensive surveys of islands, especially in the Sulu archipelago, to clarify its current status,
movements and ecological preferences. Assess the potential importance of the extensive mangroves
along the east Kalimantan/Sabah coast through further surveys. Propose sites/islands supporting key
populations for establishment as strict protected areas, as appropriate (e.g. Ursula). Eradicate macaques
and black rats from protected islands. Devise and initiate conservation awareness campaigns to control
hunting and curb deforestation on key islands. Seek ban on trade in Imperial pigeons. Review taxonomic
status of two subspecies (D. p. pickeringii and D. p. langhornei).

References
Melville, D. S. 1997. Call of the Grey Imperial Pigeon. Kukila: 172.
Collar, N. J.; Mallari, N. A. D.; Tabaranza, B. R. J. 1999. Threatened birds of the Philippines: the Haribon
Foundation/BirdLife International Red Data Book. Bookmark, Makati City.

Riley, J. 2003. Population sizes and the conservation status of endemic and restricted-range bird species
on Karakelang, Talaud Islands, Indonesia. Bird Conservation International 13: 59-74.
Meier, G.G. 2004. Grey imperial pigeon: a new record from East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Birding Asia 1:
56-67.
Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data
Book(BirdLife International 2001).
Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from
around the world.
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection
Text account compilers
Allinson, T, Benstead, P., Bird, J., Lowen, J., Peet, N., Taylor, J., Tobias, J.
Contributors
Allen, D., Davison, G., Eaton, J., Phillipps, Q., Widmann, P.
IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Ducula pickeringii. Downloaded
fromhttp://www.birdlife.org on 01/06/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one
species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.orgon
01/06/2013.
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