Tuamotu Kingfisher
CR

Tuamotu Kingfisher

Todiramphus gambieri

Stable

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by James Eaton

Overview

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

The Tuamotu Kingfisher faces severe threats from habitat degradation on its tiny atoll home of Niau in French Polynesia. Introduced predators, particularly cats and rats, pose significant risks to both adults and nesting attempts. Climate change-induced sea level rise threatens the low-lying coral atoll ecosystem, while human disturbance from coconut plantation activities further fragments the already limited suitable habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Tuamotu Kingfisher inhabits dense coconut groves and native vegetation on the coral atoll of Niau in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It prefers areas with mature coconut palms and understory shrubs that provide suitable nesting sites and foraging opportunities for insects and small prey.

Forest· majorArtificial - Terrestrial· majorRocky areas· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in ALCEDINIDAE

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Sangihe Dwarf-kingfisherCR

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Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher

Alcedo euryzona

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VU

Bismarck Kingfisher

Ceyx websteri

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Threatened in French Polynesia

EN

Raiatea Fruit-dove

Ptilinopus chrysogaster

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Pocillopora zelli

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White-winged Petrel

Pterodroma leucoptera

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Black Petrel

Procellaria parkinsoni

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Tuamotu Kingfisher classified as Critically Endangered?
Tuamotu Kingfisher 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 Tuamotu Kingfisher faces severe threats from habitat degradation on its tiny atoll home of Niau in French Polynesia. Introduced predators, particularly cats and rats, pose significant risks to both adults and nesting attempts. Climate change-induced sea level rise threatens the low-lying coral atoll ecosystem, while human disturbance from coconut plantation activities further fragments the already limited suitable habitat.
Where does Tuamotu Kingfisher live?
Tuamotu Kingfisher occurs in French Polynesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tuamotu Kingfisher?
The main threats to Tuamotu Kingfisher are 11.4, 2.1, 7.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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