Fearful Owl - BirdLife Species Factsheet

Justification This enigmatic species is classified as Vulnerable on the basis of a small population which is declining through habitat loss and is likely to be fragmented into very small subpopulations across three islands. However, its total population size, habitat requirements, and rate of decline, are very poorly known.

Family/Sub-family Strigidae

Species name author (Hartert, 1901)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Synonyms Nesasio solomensis Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 38 cm. Massive forest owl. Golden eyes framed by prominent creamy eyebrows, otherwise warm brown. Streaked dark underparts and barred dark upperparts. Similar spp. Solomons Islands Hawk-owl Ninox jacquinoti is much smaller (25-30 cm) with plainer facial mask, dark eyes and faintly patterned underparts. Voice Similar to clear human cry, increasing in volume and tone, given as series at 10 second intervals. Hints Rarely seen unless a local guide knows of regular roost or nest-sites.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

6,000

decreasing

13,200 km²

No

Range & population Nesasio solomonensis is endemic to Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and Choiseul and Santa Isabel in the Solomon Islands. It is presumed to be a species of low population density as it is rarely seen and no more than one bird has been heard calling from any location. In a well-studied area at Tirotonga on Isabel, three nests were about 2 km apart^2,5, which would extrapolate to an approximate total population of c.3,000 pairs, but it appears to be unusually common in this area².

Ecology: This large owl is the top predator along with Sanford's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus sanfordi and is reported to feed mostly on northern common cuscus Phalanger orientalis^1,6. Phalangers were introduced to these islands in prehistoric times; presumably the owl previously fed on the giant arboreal rats which are now very rare across their range³. Its distribution may now mirror that of P. orientalis which is heavily hunted for food in some districts⁶. All records are from lowland and hill forest to 700 m, usually in primary forest but also in adjacent secondary forest and forest edge^2,4,6. Three nests on Isabel were on ephiphyte-covered branches of huge fig trees, one was in primary forest, the other two in forest edge close to many gardens^2,7.

Threats This species is threatened by large-scale logging and deforestation in the lowlands, which has increased in intensity in recent years⁸. It may also be less common in areas where rural communities over-hunt P. orientalis.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. No conservation measures known.

Conservation measures proposed Survey to determine population densities in primary and logged forest, hunted and unhunted areas and at various altitudes. Monitor population trends around Tirotonga. Research diet and breeding success at Tirotonga. Lobby for tighter controls of commercial logging, especially on Choiseul. Discuss possibilities of large-scale community-based conservation areas on all three islands. Promote this species as a figurehead species for community-based conservation and ecotourism initiatives.

References 1. Diamond (1975a). 2. G. Dutson pers. obs. (1998). 3. Flannery (1995). 4. Gardner (1987). 5. M. Hafe verbally (1998). 6. Webb (1992). 7. Webb in litt. (1996). 8. G. Dutson in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), H. P. Webb

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2008) Species factsheet: Nesasio solomonensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 3/1/2009

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, and BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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