(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE

OTHER COMMON NAMES - STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE; STARLING, MOUNTAIN and POHNPEI;SIE

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Birds

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - STURNIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - APLONIS,

SPECIES AND SSP - PELZELNI,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - APLONIS PELZELNI

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Ponape Mountain Starling

Aplonis pelzelni (Finsch, 1876)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Sturnidae

The Ponape mountain starling is a small (19 cm.), dark starling
with upperparts of the body a sooty-brown color. The head is
darker with the forehead and lores blackish. The wings, rump, upper
tail coverts, and tail are lighter and more brownish than the head.
Underparts of the body are paler and washed with a olive brown color.
The bill and feet are black. The iris of the eye is brown. Immatures
resemble adults, but are lighter brown especially on the underparts
(11,01).
Since the species was first described by Finsch in 1876 (04)
there have been no other taxonomic treatments, however, in the 1942
handlist of Japanese birds the genus Aplornis is used rather than the
presently accepted Aplonis (09). Common names of the mountain
starling include the variation of the spelling of Ponape; "Pohnpei"
mountain starling and the bird is locally known by the name "sie".
The type specimen was deposited in the Godeffroy Museum in
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

Hamburg (04,01). During the Whitney South Sea Expeditions, a series
of 60 skins were taken by William Coultas in 1930-31 and were
deposited in the American Museum of Natural History (02,01). A single
skin taken by Richards in 1948 is deposited at the Bernice P. Bishop
Museum in Honolulu, HI. (13). In 1956, Marshall took two birds which
were deposited in the Smithsonian (10).
An illustration of the Ponape mountain starling can be found in
Finsch (1876), plate 2, figure 3 (05).

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status

E: Federal Endangered

Non-consumptive recreational

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Ponape mountain starling (Aplonis pelzelni) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including Ponape Island, part of the U.S. Pacific Island Trust
Territories including The Federated States of Micronesia.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
The species is also protected by the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711 et seq.; 50 CFR 10.13).

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

STATE: Federated States of Micronesia (U.S. Trust Territory of
the Pacific Islands)
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Resources and Development
STATE STATUTES: Title 45; Fish, Shellfish, and Game; Chapter 5;
Endangered Species Act (of Trust Territories)

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed in the IUCN Red Data Book.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species is not directly utilized by humans, however, it may
occassionally forage on cultivated fruit and aid in the control of
insects and the pollination of plants within the native forest
ecosystem. The species also may have some esthetic value to bird
watchers.

70/06/02:35 FR 08491/08498 - Listing as Endangered
76/30/09:41 FR 43340/43358 - Republication of list
85/02/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL

LAND USE -

Evergreen Forest Land

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Little is known about the habitat requirements of the mountain
starling. The species is apparently confined primarily to the upper
montane forests of Ponape Island (02). These are moist, tropical,
broadleaf evergreen forests. Native hardwoods are the dominant trees
(06,07).
There is at least one record of the mountain starling utilizing
subsistence agricultural forests in lowland areas (12). These are
mixed forests containing a variety of tropical food plants, including;
coconut (Cocos), breadfruit (Artocarpus), bananas (Musa), mangos
(Mangifera), papayas (Carica), and others (06,07).
Coultas did not record the mountain starling below 425 meters
and considered the species to be a resident of the highland forest
(02). He found the starling always in dark, damp, true forest rather
than sparsely covered areas or grassland. A number of the birds he
collected were taken in fruit trees in the forest (02).
On January 15, 1948; Richards observed two individuals in the
Nanpil area on the northeast slope of Nanalaud Mountain at an
elevation of approximately 180-200 meters (13). Based on the
vegetation of the area at the time, these birds most certainly
utilize native forest.
Marshall heard and saw several mountain starlings in 1955-56.
These were all located in the rain forest habitat. He was able to
collect two individuals in a leguminous tree at an elevation of about
550 meters (10).
The mountain starling occasionally utilizes lowland agricultural
forest. In 1973 or 1974, M. Ord observed a pair of mountain starlings
feeding on papaya in agricultural forest at Nantolemal Point at about
50 meters in elevation (12). Residents of Ponape also report that
the mountain starling can be found in low lying agricultural forests
(03).
Coultas received unconfirmed reports from local residents that
the species formerly was distributed throughout the entire island and
that a few birds remained on the low atolls of Ant and Pakin (02).
The presence of this species on small, low atolls which support only
strand vegetation would seem unlikely considering the description of
its preference for montane forest by Coultas (02). The species is
also known to nest in tree cavities and feed on insects found in the
tree bark, holes, and crevices (02).

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Evergreen Shrubs-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Evergreen Trees-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Arthropods

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Tree Cavities: Unknown

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
The mountain starling is omnivorous and feeds on both fruits and
insects. Coultas wrote that the feathers of the forehead of a large
number of the specimens he took "were found to be very short, hard,
coarse, and bristly". These had been worn thin by the bird poking
its head into holes and crevices of the bark of trees in search of
ants and grubs of which it is particularly fond. Though small
berries from shrubs and trees constitute a fair percentage of the
birds diet, one quite often finds them picking up seeds, grubs, and
stones on the ground as well (02).
The stomach of the specimens collected by Richards in 1948
contained two small (pea size) types of fruits, one with yellow skin
and the other with hard, green, and crinkly skin (13). M. Ord reports
observing a pair feeding on a ripe papaya (12). The pair was
accompanied by Micronesian starlings (Aplonis opacus).

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
The mountain starling is typically found in pairs rather than
flocks (02,10,12). Coultas wrote that "the male and female usually
remain together all of the time" (02). From this behavior it can be
reasonably assumed that some type of territory is maintained and
defended. This territory is possibly not a feeding territory, since
a number of birds apparently come in to feed on a single tree of
fruit (02).

PERIODICITY:
The mountain starling is diurnal (02,10), however, nothing is
known about seasonal activity.

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The species is non-migratory and local movement patterns are
not known.

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The mountain starling is typically found in tropical rainforest,
but specific features of cover and shelter are not known.

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
No information is known or available for this species on this
subject.

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Presumably pair bonds are established, as the male and female
are known to travel together (02). The nest is said to be placed in
the hollows of trees in a secluded spot, and two eggs are reported
per clutch (02). No other information is available on this subject.

PARENTAL CARE:
No information is known or available for this species on this
subject.

Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information is known or available for this species on this
subject.

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The mountain starling is sometimes found near or feeding with
the larger Micronesian starling (02,10,12), but in such instances the
mountain starling is said to be chased by the more aggressive
Micronesian starling (02). Possibly an increase in the numbers of the
Micronesian starling could have adversely affected the Ponape
mountain starling population.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The call of the mountain starling is described as a single high-
pitched whistle, weaker, higher in tone, and shorter in duration than
the notes of the Micronesian starling (Aplonis opacus), with which
the mountain starling could be confused (02,10).

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The Ponape mountain starling was fairly common in 1930-31,
when Coultas was able to collect 60 birds in a 3 month period (02).
By 1955-56 the species had become very rare. Marshall spent a year
on the island at that time and was only able to collect two specimens
(01). The species was not located at all during the USFWS survey of
the island in 1983 (03), and the species may be near extinction.
Most native forest birds on Ponape are common or abundant, and
the reason for the decline of the mountain starling is unknown.
Possibly a variety of factors have caused the reduction in numbers.
From all outward appearances, the upland forest habitat in which the
mountain starling was once found has remained largely unchanged over
the last century. The mountain starling is not selectively sought as
a game species, and it does not appear to have suffered from
overutilization by humans. Disease is not known to have affected
forest birds on Ponape Island. Possibly competition from the increase
in numbers of other species (i.e., the Micronesian starling, Aplonis
opacus) could have adversely affected the Ponape mountain starling
population.
Predation by introduced rats (Rattus rattus) possibly caused the
decline, though there is no direct evidence of this. A similar
species of mountain starling on Kosrae (Aplonis corvinus) apparently
became extinct in the 1800's, possibly due to rats introduced by
whalers (08).
Not knowing the historical cause for the decline, future
perceived threats are likewise unknown.

UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No recovery plan has been initiated and no target date has been
established.

An extensive USFWS survey conducted in 1983 failed to locate the
mountain starling, and the species may be very near extinction (03).
Because nothing is known about the causes for the decline, few
recovery actions can be initiated. Presumably maintenance of the
upper native forests is important to the species, and the USFWS as
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

habitat. The native forests though still rather extensive, are
becoming increasingly threatened by encroachment of the rapidly
expanding human population. Slash and burn agricultural practices
are normally used.
No specific recovery plans can be identified until more is known
about the species. Should a population of mountain starlings be
located and studied, recovery actions could be formulated.

Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species STARLING, MOUNTAIN, PONAPE
Species Id ESIS101002
Date 14 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Baker, R.H. 1951. The avifauna of Micronesia, its origin,
evolution, and distribution. Univ. of Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat.
Hist., 3:1-359.
02 Coultas, W.F. 1930-31. Whitney south sea expedition journals.
Amer. Mus. Natur. Hist. Unpublished.
03 Engbring, J., F.L. Ramsey and V.J. Wildman. In prep. Federated
states of Micronesia forest bird survey 1983-84: Kosrae, Pohnpei,
Truk, and Yap. USFWS.
04 Finsch, O. 1876. Characters of six new Polynesian birds in the
Museum Godeffroy at Hamburg. Proc. Zool. Soc. London for 1875:
643-644.
05 Finsch, O. 1876. Zur ornithologie der Sudsee-Inseln. II. Ueber
neue und weniger grekannte Vogelo von Viti-, Samoa-, und Carolinen-
Inseln. Journ. Mus. Godeffroy, 12:1-41.
06 Fosberg, F.R. 1960. The vegetation of Micronesia. Bull. of the
Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist., Vol. 119, Article 1. 75 pp.
07 Glassman, S.F. 1971. The flora of Ponape. Bernice P. Bishop Mus.
Bull. 209. Honolulu, HI. 152 pp.
08 Greenway, J.C., Jr. 1967. Extinct and vanishing birds of the
world. Dover Publ., Inc., New York, N.Y.
09 Hachisuka, M.U., Kuroda, N., Takatusukasa, N., Uchida, S. and
Yamashina, Y. 1942. A hand list of Japanese birds. Third
revised edition. The Ornith. Soc. of Japan, Tokyo. viii and
239 pp.
10 Marshall, J.T., Jr. 1955-56. Field notes from Micronesia.
Unpublished.
11 Mayr, E. 1945. Birds of the southwest Pacific. Macmillan Co.,
New York, NY.
12 Ord, M. 1985. Pers. comm. 1178 Hunakai Street; Honolulu, HI.;
96816.
13 Richards, L.P. 1947-48. Bird and mammal collection field notes.
B.P. Bishop Mus. Unpublished.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

References - 1