Rarotonga Starling
VU

Rarotonga Starling

Aplonis cinerascens

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Rarotonga Starling faces severe pressure from introduced predators, particularly black rats and feral cats that prey on eggs, nestlings, and adult birds. Habitat degradation from invasive plant species and human development has reduced the quality of native forest areas essential for nesting and foraging. Competition from introduced bird species for limited food resources and nesting sites further constrains population recovery on this small Pacific island.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Rarotonga Starling inhabits native and secondary forests in the mountainous interior of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, preferring areas with dense canopy cover and native fruit trees. It occurs from sea level to the island's highest elevations, but is most common in undisturbed forest areas away from human settlements.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rarotonga Starling classified as Vulnerable?
Rarotonga Starling is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Rarotonga Starling faces severe pressure from introduced predators, particularly black rats and feral cats that prey on eggs, nestlings, and adult birds. Habitat degradation from invasive plant species and human development has reduced the quality of native forest areas essential for nesting and foraging. Competition from introduced bird species for limited food resources and nesting sites further constrains population recovery on this small Pacific island.
Where does Rarotonga Starling live?
Rarotonga Starling occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rarotonga Starling?
The main threats to Rarotonga Starling are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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