We developed distributional models for 90 threatened bird species in China, and used heuristic complementarity algorithms to prioritize areas for conservation. The pixel-based area selection prioritized 20 areas for protection, which covered all species analysed. Area selecting for endangered species based on the existing biosphere reserve system included only 37-62 species in eleven reserves, leaving 28-53 species unprotected. We employed algorithms for area selection based on species richness and rarity and obtained two views of a most efficient reserve network. We used the distributional hypotheses to identify additions to the reserve system that would improve its effectiveness substantially. The pixel-based area selection approach includes species much more efficiently on a per-area basis, and thus offers exciting perspectives for improved protection of the country's endangered avifauna.

The Endangered Rodrigues Warbler Acrocephalus rodericanus is endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues, one of the world's most devastated tropical islands, its native forest having been completely destroyed since human colonization three centuries ago. It is now found in thickets and woodland dominated entirely by non-native trees and shrubs. As a step to implementing conservation initiatives, a population census and habitat study was undertaken in April-June 1999. Using a combination of tape playback of song and point counts, at least 103 Rodrigues Warblers spread through nine wooded localities were observed, and a minimum population of 150 birds estimated. The majority (78%) and highest densities (2.3/ha) were found in habitat dominated by one introduced invasive tree, the rose-apple Syzygium jambos. Warblers were also found in plantations dominated by mahogany Swietenia mahagoni, tecoma Tabebuia pallida and Norfolk Island pine Araucaria cunninghamii, but at much lower densities (0.5/ha). Warbler densities were highest in habitat with a dense structure of small branches. There was a strong positive relationship between one index of human disturbance (number of cut branches) and warbler densities. This low-intensity cutting may promote the growth of new shoots thus perpetuating the dense vegetation structure that Rodrigues Warbler favours. At two localities, one supporting an existing population of warblers and the other prone to extirpation (shown from previous surveys), vegetation structure and composition were similar between sites, hinting that in some currently unoccupied areas, habitat is probably suitable and other factors are operating to preclude colonization and establishment. Further ecological studies would be desirable, especially to investigate the effect of nest-predation by introduced mammals and other factors suppressing warbler population growth.

Between 1995 and 2000, we made a comparative study of ranging patterns of individuals of five sympatric species of antpitta Grallaria spp. that differ in body size and extent of geographical range. Grallaria milleri is restricted to a small area in the central Andes of Colombia, G. rufocinerea is endemic to the Central Cordillera, and G. ruficapilla, G. nuchalis and G. squamigera are widely distributed in the tropical Andes. Using mist-nets, we captured and banded 76 individuals of the five species during the five year study period. We also radio-tracked six individuals for periods of 30-60 days, to obtain estimates of territory sizes. Recapture patterns revealed that antpittas exhibited high site fidelity, remaining in the same patch for documented periods of up to 34 months. However, some individuals were captured only once, and were probably transient through the area. Territory sizes estimated were 0.5-5.4 ha for G. milleri (n = 7), 1.4 and 1.5 ha for G. rufocinerea (n = 2), 1.9 ha for G. ruficapilla (n = 1), 9.3 ha for G. nuchalis (n = 1) and 2 and 4.5 ha for G. squamigera (n = 2). We compared these data with territory estimates of other Neotropical Formicariids. Our results indicated that antpittas had relatively small territories, and had population densities higher than assumed previously for these secretive birds of the forest understorey.

We report new observations of the globally threatened Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei from two areas in the São Francisco Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between July 1993 and February 2002. Four pairs, one fledged young and two lone individuals were observed in the course of our fieldwork. It was previously known only from a female taken in the mid-1920s and sight records and tape-recordings in 1977. Our records extend the species' known range 250 km south and west of the type-locality region. Details of the first-known male specimen are presented, along with novel data concerning its vocalizations and behaviour. We draw attention to the possible relationship of the species to a group of four other Phylloscartes tyrannulets with similarly patterned faces and overall plumage, which exhibit a similar circum-Amazonian distribution pattern to three Phyllomyias tyrannulets. We also take the opportunity to draw more attention to the imperilled conservation status of the dry forests upon which P. roquettei and a host of other threatened and Near-threatened avian taxa depend.

Saffron-cowled Blackbird Xanthopsar flavus is a globally threatened icterid of open areas of south-eastern South America. Several sources suggest that the species is declining throughout its range, mainly due to habitat destruction. Between December 1997 and December 1999 we studied a breeding population of X. flavus at the Banhado do Vinte-e-Cinco and Banhado da Mulata area, Rio Grande municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. This population, previously unreported for the state's coastal plain, numbers at least 60 individuals and seems confined to an area of c. 35 km2. The area is characterized by Cyperacaea-dominated peat marshes in comparatively higher terrain, covered with sandy, rolling fields. The species was recorded in all months (not necessarily of the same year) except March, and a marked irregularity in flock size was detected. During the non-breeding period, flock size averaged 12.7 individuals (S.D. = 11.7; range = 2-37; n = 11). During the 1997-1998 breeding season (December to January), mean flock size was 25.3 individuals (S.D. = 16.2; range = 16-60; n = 7), while in the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 breeding seasons, 33 and 4 individuals were recorded respectively. No pronounced discrepancy was found in the size of the largest flocks recorded per season (from 20 to 37 individuals), suggesting that the population is sedentary and that it undertakes only local movements. A nesting colony occupying the same part of the marsh in two successive breeding seasons was composed of six breeding pairs in 1997-1998, with an estimated nesting success of 31.8-36.3% at fledgling time. The species is highly gregarious and sociable, foraging flocks frequently following individuals of Black-and-White Monjita Heteroxolmis dominicana and, to a lesser extent, Yellow-rumped Marshbird Pseudoleistes guirahuro and Brown-and-yellow Marshbird P. virescens. Although habitat loss has been indicated as the main factor for the species' decline, we suggest that habitat perturbation and modification may affect negatively recruitment rates in the species and, theoretically, its overall population size. Furthermore, the conservation of Rio Grande's peat marshes should be regarded a regional priority, in order to preserve threatened birds and a very unusual wetland type.

We carried out a four-year (1995-1999) survey on the foraging and breeding distribution of Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus on the island of Crete. The age classes of all birds sighted were systematically recorded and data on seasonal distribution patterns were collected; 262 observations were made covering an area of about 4,000 km2, at altitudes ranging from 200 m to 2,450 m a.s.l (mean 1,100 m). Adult birds were distributed evenly throughout the island while young birds avoided active territories and were mostly sighted at the periphery of the high mountains. The species depended almost entirely on domestic livestock herded into and away from the mountains seasonally, with birds foraging in the uplands (> 1,200 m a.s.l.) from early May to late October and frequenting midland pastures (600-1,200 m a.s.l.) for the rest of the year. The mean altitude of nesting sites was 750 m (range = 280-1,450 m), with 80% of nests positioned below the 1,000 m contour. Bearded Vultures are more vulnerable to human-induced mortality within their breeding territories and on midland pastures in winter than in the upland areas in summer.