This discussion was first published as part of the 2022.1 Red List update. At the time a decision regarding its status was pended, but to enable potential reassessment of this species as part of the 2023 Red List update this post remains open and the date of posting has been updated.
I do not agree with this proposed downlisting at all. In fact quite the opposite, most things point to this species as possibly being one of the most threatened in Micronesia. It is highly restricted, has declined from its historic distribution and there is no reliable monitoring data. The population estimate is likely to be optimistic. Many other species in Micronesia have declined c.f. Pohnpei Kingfisher, Kosrae and Pohnpei Starling and montane species across the Pacific are amongst the most imperilled. Given the difficulty with access and on-ground surveys for this species, we cannot be certain it is not greatly imperilled. I strongly advocate to not downlist this species without further knowledge.
Preliminary proposal
There is clearly concern and uncertainty surrounding this species. Therefore, based on available information, our proposal for the 2022.1 Red List is to pend the decision on this species and keep the discussion open, while leaving the current Red List category unchanged in the 2022.1 update.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
Final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
As per my previous recommendation, I support the pending of any changes to status. Although the argument is put forward that there has not been substantial forest loss in recent times, based on remote monitoring data, that is not the only reason that species may decline. With no recent on-ground access to this population being possible, and the degradation of many other areas of habitat in Chuuk due to population pressures, I have no confidence in the assertion that this species should be down listed. The best option is to leave the listing unchanged until their is some on-ground assessment available.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our proposal for the 2022.2 Red List is to pend the decision on this species and keep the discussion open until 2023, while leaving the current Red List category unchanged in the 2022.2 update.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 24 July 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN. The final 2022.2 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our proposal for the 2023 Red List is to pend the decision on this species and keep the discussion open until 2024, while leaving the current Red List category unchanged in the 2023 update.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 12 February 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
Final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I agree with Rob Davis.
The eBird data is all we have for this site. Since 2010 there are 6 trips to Mt Winipots – all of which are over 3 hours in duration on site – with a maximum of 10 (10, 8, 8, 3, 2) Teardrop White-eyes seen. All white-eyes seen were above 100m asl. In 1984 4 separate transects were walked (duration of between 3 and 4 hours) – with 30, 38, 8 and 12 birds seen on each transect. A decline of (average) 22 to 6 individuals per visit. Acknowledge that methods are different – but thats a substantial decline in mean number of individuals seen.
The last record on eBird for Paata was in 2007.
There are no records on eBird for Onei or Polle. To my knowledge these sites have not been surveyed for the species since 1984.
Onei was surveyed in 2021 using acoustic recorders. No white-eye calls have yet been extracted from these recordings.
Forest cover is a poor measure of the likelihood of species extinctions in the Pacific. More important is the extent, and spread, of invasive plants and animals. Human intrusion appears high – if the acoustic recordings from Onei is a measure.
Given the lack of data in the 21st Century in 3 of the 4 listed locations, and the apparent decline at the 4th and most important location – and given that all records are of birds at medium to high altitude – suggesting little or no movement between these locations – I would suggest that current knowledge does not support the hypothesis that the population is stable. There does need to be a re-assessment of this, and other species endemic to Chuuk – as soon as possible.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 26 June 2023. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 June 2023, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
There is clearly concern and uncertainty surrounding this species, and a cautious approach is warranted. It is acknowledged that eBird data suggest a decline since 1984 in at least one locality, and given the likely ongoing threats to this species and lack of recent records, a continuing decline is precautionarily inferred. Based on available information therefore, our preliminary proposal for the 2023 Red List would be to maintain the current listing of Teardrop White-eye as Endangered under Criterion C2a(ii).
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 2 July 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 10 July 2023.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Teardrop White-eye is recommended to be listed as Endangered under Criterion C2a(ii).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2023.2 GTB Forum process. The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.