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Crow Honeyeater Gymnomyza aubryana
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BirdLife Species Guardian Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie (SCO)


Taxonomic source(s)


Distribution and population

Population justification
The population is estimated to number 50-249 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with the fact that only a proportion of the estimated extent of occurrence is likely to be occupied, and may even be an overestimate given that densities are lower outside the Rivière Bleue valley (the species's stronghold) where the local population was estimated at 18 pairs by Y. Létocart (pers. comm. 2000) in 1998. The estimate equates to 75-374 individuals in total, rounded here to 70-400 individuals.

Trend justification


Forest loss and degradation caused by logging, nickel mining and fires is likely to be a threat (Ekstrom et al. 2000, 2002), potentially having had a considerable impact in the côté oubliée from where the species now appears to be absent (V. Chartenrauldt in litt. 2009). The apparent decline at Rivière Bleue must be caused by other factors; with the species apparently subjected to severe predation pressure by introduced rats Rattus spp.(Ekstrom et al. 2002, N. Barré in litt. 2003, Létocart 2006) and possibly cats Felis catus (R. Stirnemann in litt. 2012). No successful nests or juvenile birds were seen until 2004 at Rivière Bleue, suggesting that the limiting factor affects its breeding success (Y. Létocart in litt. 1999). However, in 2004 and 2005, two chicks fledged successfully and were tracked visually for a few days. Nesting areas were heavily poisoned for rat population control which may explain the nesting success but another nest, found in 2005, and also in an area where rats were controlled failed with the chick disappearing during the first week (Létocart 2006). Other possible nest predators include native endemic predators such as New Caledonian Crow Corvus moneduloides, White-bellied Goshawk Accipiter haplochrous, New Caledonian Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus), Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (Baudat-Franceschi 2013); nests are poorly camouflaged and presumably easy to locate (Létocart 2006). One of the two chicks visually monitored after fledging was usually moving between trees on the forest floor, this could mean that the species is also vulnerable to cats, dogs and pigs (Létocart 2006). Grazing of understory vegetation by Javan Deer (Cervus timorensis russa) may reduce habitat quality for the species (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). Forestry operations pose a threat as access roads allow the spread of invasive species, fire and hunters (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). Given the very small population size, hunting is also a potential threat. The species may be susceptible to avian malaria.

Conservation Actions Underway
Hunting and capture is prohibited. The main known populations are found within protected areas: Parc Provincial Rivière Bleue, Réserve naturelle du Mont Kouakoué, Réserve naturelle de la Haute Pourina and Réserve botanique du Mont Panié (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). A breeding monitoring project conducted basic ecological research in the protected Parc Provincial Rivière Bleue from 2001 to 2005, including the radio-tracking of adults and video monitoring of nests (Y. Létocart in litt. 1999, Létocart 2006). Surveys were conducted in 2003-2006 by the Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien (IAC) to establish the status of forest birds across New Caledonia (Chartendrault and Barré 2005, 2006). In 2010, the Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie (SCO) conducted surveys in the Massif du Sud IBA in 17 areas identified as priority areas to survey for the species. An assessment of the results provided an estimate of 92 pairs within the study area (Angin 2011). Another project, undertaken at Mt Panié in the north of New Caledonia, resulted in the locating of the species in a site where it has not been documented for some years (M. O'Brien in litt. 2011, R. Stirnemann in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed
The Crow Honeyeater Conservation Plan was produced in order to develop a long-term conservation strategy for the species. The plan aims to gain a robust estimate of the total population, implement long-term population monitoring and study the threats and potential conservation actions required to mitigate them (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). The plan highlights invasive species as the threat which requires most urgent attention (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). Rat populations should be managed in occupied territories and at known nest sites, cat populations should also be monitored in these areas. Deer and pig numbers should also be controlled. Further actions identified by the Conservation Plan listed in order of priority are: to prevent further fragmentation of forest habitat, involve mining concessions in the development of a conservation strategy for the species and raise awareness of the threatened status of the species within the hunting community (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). Survey other localities within its extent of occurrence and keep searching for the species outside its known extent of occurrence. Urgently research basic habitat requirements, breeding ecology and success at Rivière Bleue. Investigate the presence of the species on Mont Panié and Parc des Grandes Fougères. Further investigate the possibility of rat predation on nests. Research dispersal and subpopulation structure. Monitor numbers annually in two study sites in Rivière Bleue (Y. Létocart in litt. 1999, Ekstrom et al. 2000). Control rats close to nest sites and protect nesting trees from rats (in Rivière Bleue park at least). Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status. Develop a country-wide recovery plan for the species, including the establishment of captive breeding populations. Ensure that the species is included in management plans within protected areas (Baudat-Franceschi 2013). Undertake local conservation education programs.

Angin, B. 2011. Recherche du Méliphage noir (Gymnomyza aubryana) dans la ZICO « Massif du Grand Sud » - Rapport Final Février - 2011. Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie.

Baudat-Franceschi, J. 2013. Plan de conservation du Méliphage Toulou Gymnomyza aubryana. Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie, Poindimié.










Further web sources of information
Explore HBW Alive for further information on this species


Text account compilers


IUCN Red List evaluators
Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Gymnomyza aubryana. Downloaded from on 01/12/2015. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2015) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from on 01/12/2015.




Key facts
Current IUCN Red List category Critically Endangered
Family Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
Species name author (Verreaux & Des Murs, 1860)
Population size 50-249 mature individuals
Population trend Decreasing
Distribution size (breeding/resident) 1,100 km2
Country endemic? Yes
Links to further information
- Additional Information on this species