3 thoughts on “Okinawa Woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii)”
I would like to provide comments on two specific questions regarding the Okinawa Woodpecker, as well as some additional remarks
Specific questions;
１）Are there any data from which to suggest that this species’ population is declining?
The current apparent stability of the Okinawa Woodpecker population is attributed to the results of mongoose control efforts north of the SF Line, with over one million trap days per year. Mongoose populations north of the SF Line began to decline after 2007, but since 2017, the decline has plateaued, and in recent years, the number of captures has been increasing. We are considering that it might be better to change the status from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) once mongoose eradication from north of the SF Line is achieved.
２）Is it realistic that the global population size probably stabilized in the window 2004-2008? If not, would 2000-2004, or 2008-2012, be more realistic and why?
In Okinawa Island, since the 1990s, there has been a gradual recovery of forests and the expansion of mongooses north of the SF Line began. In areas where mongooses have not invaded, the recovery of the Okinawa Woodpecker has been observed alongside habitat restoration since the 1990s. However, simultaneously, it is believed that the disappearance of the Okinawa Woodpecker has occurred in areas invaded by mongooses. In the northernmost part of Okinawa Island, north of the SF Line, mongooses began to decline around 2007, so it would be fair to say that recovery began during this period (2004-2008). Currently, this recovery has plateaued, and in order to further reduce the risk of extinction, it is necessary to achieve the eradication of mongooses from north of the SF Line and expand the scope of further measures southward.
The invasive alien species, the Small Indian Mongoose, profoundly impacts the endemic bird species on Okinawa Island, including the Okinawa Woodpecker. In my opinion, it is premature to change the rank of the Okinawa Woodpecker from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) at this stage. The population of the Okinawa Woodpecker appears stable due to the effectiveness of mongoose control measures. Without these measures, a rapid decline leading to extinction is predicted. We also think it would be beneficial to consider the risk if mongoose control measures were discontinued, particularly concerning Criterion E Quantitative Analysis. Moreover, the proposed map shows that the whole of Nago City is within a stable distribution range. However, records of the Okinawa Woodpecker within Nago City, where mongoose control measures have not been implemented, are scarce and discontinuous. Therefore, careful attention is needed regarding the representation on the distribution map. The issue of invasive alien species like mongooses is often much harder to grasp for the general public compared to the visible impacts of deforestation and development. In Amami-Oshima, located to the north of Okinawa Island, mongoose eradication is imminent, making eradication from large islands a feasible goal. We believe it is time to address the challenge of eradicating mongooses from the entire island of Okinawa
I would also like to give my opinion on the Okinawa Robin Larvivora namiyei, although it is not listed in the proposed changes. It is still evaluated at the identical rank (NT) as when it was considered conspecific with the Ryukyu Robin Larvivora komadori. The Okinawa Robin is distributed only in the northern part of Okinawa Island, and breeding has not been confirmed within Nago City, resulting in a narrower distribution area compared to the Okinawa Woodpecker. I would like to recommend changing the rank of the Okinawa Robin to EN and revising the distribution map.
I hope you will take these matters into consideration. Thank you.
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 3 May 2024. We will now analyse and interpret all information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 3 May 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. In particular, we would like to thank N. Kotaka (above) for addressing in detail the questions asked; all this information has now been taken into account. It is necessary for us to strictly apply the categories and criteria de novo for each assessment, and available data suggest that the species no longer meets the thresholds of any criteria needed for assessment as Critically Endangered. However, the revision to Endangered still reflects a very high level of extinction risk, with the species at a very high risk of becoming extinct unless additional conservation action is carried out.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 13 May 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I would like to provide comments on two specific questions regarding the Okinawa Woodpecker, as well as some additional remarks
Specific questions;
１）Are there any data from which to suggest that this species’ population is declining?
The current apparent stability of the Okinawa Woodpecker population is attributed to the results of mongoose control efforts north of the SF Line, with over one million trap days per year. Mongoose populations north of the SF Line began to decline after 2007, but since 2017, the decline has plateaued, and in recent years, the number of captures has been increasing. We are considering that it might be better to change the status from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) once mongoose eradication from north of the SF Line is achieved.
２）Is it realistic that the global population size probably stabilized in the window 2004-2008? If not, would 2000-2004, or 2008-2012, be more realistic and why?
In Okinawa Island, since the 1990s, there has been a gradual recovery of forests and the expansion of mongooses north of the SF Line began. In areas where mongooses have not invaded, the recovery of the Okinawa Woodpecker has been observed alongside habitat restoration since the 1990s. However, simultaneously, it is believed that the disappearance of the Okinawa Woodpecker has occurred in areas invaded by mongooses. In the northernmost part of Okinawa Island, north of the SF Line, mongooses began to decline around 2007, so it would be fair to say that recovery began during this period (2004-2008). Currently, this recovery has plateaued, and in order to further reduce the risk of extinction, it is necessary to achieve the eradication of mongooses from north of the SF Line and expand the scope of further measures southward.
The invasive alien species, the Small Indian Mongoose, profoundly impacts the endemic bird species on Okinawa Island, including the Okinawa Woodpecker. In my opinion, it is premature to change the rank of the Okinawa Woodpecker from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) at this stage. The population of the Okinawa Woodpecker appears stable due to the effectiveness of mongoose control measures. Without these measures, a rapid decline leading to extinction is predicted. We also think it would be beneficial to consider the risk if mongoose control measures were discontinued, particularly concerning Criterion E Quantitative Analysis. Moreover, the proposed map shows that the whole of Nago City is within a stable distribution range. However, records of the Okinawa Woodpecker within Nago City, where mongoose control measures have not been implemented, are scarce and discontinuous. Therefore, careful attention is needed regarding the representation on the distribution map. The issue of invasive alien species like mongooses is often much harder to grasp for the general public compared to the visible impacts of deforestation and development. In Amami-Oshima, located to the north of Okinawa Island, mongoose eradication is imminent, making eradication from large islands a feasible goal. We believe it is time to address the challenge of eradicating mongooses from the entire island of Okinawa
I would also like to give my opinion on the Okinawa Robin Larvivora namiyei, although it is not listed in the proposed changes. It is still evaluated at the identical rank (NT) as when it was considered conspecific with the Ryukyu Robin Larvivora komadori. The Okinawa Robin is distributed only in the northern part of Okinawa Island, and breeding has not been confirmed within Nago City, resulting in a narrower distribution area compared to the Okinawa Woodpecker. I would like to recommend changing the rank of the Okinawa Robin to EN and revising the distribution map.
I hope you will take these matters into consideration. Thank you.
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 3 May 2024. We will now analyse and interpret all information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 3 May 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. In particular, we would like to thank N. Kotaka (above) for addressing in detail the questions asked; all this information has now been taken into account. It is necessary for us to strictly apply the categories and criteria de novo for each assessment, and available data suggest that the species no longer meets the thresholds of any criteria needed for assessment as Critically Endangered. However, the revision to Endangered still reflects a very high level of extinction risk, with the species at a very high risk of becoming extinct unless additional conservation action is carried out.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 13 May 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.