Pohnpei Starling
CR

Pohnpei Starling

Aplonis pelzelni

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pohnpei_starling

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Pohnpei Starling faces severe threats from habitat destruction as native forests on Pohnpei Island are cleared for agriculture and development. Introduced predators, particularly rats and cats, pose significant risks to nesting birds and their eggs. The species' extremely small population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks, while invasive plant species continue to degrade the quality of remaining forest habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Pohnpei Starling inhabits native montane forests on Pohnpei Island in the Federated States of Micronesia, preferring dense canopy areas with native tree species. It is typically found in primary and mature secondary forests at elevations between 400-700 meters, where it forages in the forest canopy and nests in tree cavities.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in STURNIDAE

EN

Mountain Starling

Aplonis santovestris

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Javan Pied StarlingCR

Javan Pied Starling

Gracupica jalla

Unknown
EN

Black-winged Myna

Acridotheres melanopterus

Declining
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Tenggara Hill Myna

Gracula venerata

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Threatened in Micronesia

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

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VU

Short-tailed Albatross

Phoebastria albatrus

Increasing
EN

Pohnpei Cicadabird

Edolisoma insperatum

Declining
EN

Caroline Islands Ground Dove

Pampusana kubaryi

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pohnpei Starling classified as Critically Endangered?
Pohnpei Starling is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Pohnpei Starling faces severe threats from habitat destruction as native forests on Pohnpei Island are cleared for agriculture and development. Introduced predators, particularly rats and cats, pose significant risks to nesting birds and their eggs. The species' extremely small population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks, while invasive plant species continue to degrade the quality of remaining forest habitat.
Where does Pohnpei Starling live?
Pohnpei Starling occurs in Micronesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pohnpei Starling?
The main threats to Pohnpei Starling are 2.1, 5.1, 5.3, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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