The past five years have seen the arrival and extremely rapid expansion of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Western Hemisphere. The rapid sweep across North America has permitted little time for developing knowledge of the virus's potential impacts on wildlife in the New World. Given this information gap, we here summarize for the ornithological community what is known or can be anticipated for WNV's effect on bird communities in coming years. Our particular focus is on impacts of WNV on the conservation status of birds, the principal vertebrate reservoir for the virus.

It is widely accepted that the gadfly petrels of the Macaronesian islands comprise three closely related and morphologically similar taxa, Petrodroma madeira from Madeira island, P. deserta (also treated as P. feae deserta) from Bugio and P. feae (also treated as P. feae feae) from Cape Verde Islands. However, the taxonomic rank of each taxon is not well defined, and has been subject to a long debate. Partial sequences of cytochrome b (893 bp) from 39 individuals (five from Madeira, 18 from nearby Bugio, and 16 from Fogo) and morphometric data from five characters from 102 individuals (74 from Bugio and 28 from Fogo in Cape Verde), were used to compare and estimate phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of these petrels. In the phylogenetic analysis and sequence divergence estimation, we also include 23 sequences of 19 Pterodroma species available from GenBank. Our results show that Macaronesian gadfly petrels form a monophyletic clade. Birds from Bugio and Cape Verde are the most closely related taxa followed by those from Madeira. The group formed by the three taxa studied is closely related to Bermuda Petrel P. cahow and Black-capped Petrel P. hasitata. A hypothesis for the colonization of the islands is presented. The level of sequence divergence is sufficient to consider the populations of Bugio and Cape Verde as separate species. Reproductive isolation is supported by exclusive haplotypes and fixed changes. Despite the presence of some significant differences in bill and tarsus measurements, the two species seem to be morphologically similar because the great overlap of variation intervals in the measurements hinders identification. It therefore appears suitable for consideration as a cryptic species. An important conservation implication is that the world population of both species is very small; if treated as a full species, deserta on Bugio may qualify for uplisting to ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

The Seychelles Warbler was once a highly threatened single-island endemic species with a population of 26 individuals confined to Cousin Island in the inner Seychelles. Following long-term management of Cousin, the population steadily recovered to around 300- 360 birds. Given the vulnerability of one small island in the Indian Ocean, the possibility of establishing the species on additional islands had been proposed as a priority conservation measure. This paper describes the successful translocation of 29 Seychelles Warblers from Cousin to Aride, summarizes the ecological studies carried out prior to, during and after the translocation and documents the subsequent establishment of the new population. It is considered that the Seychelles Warbler will soon no longer be a globally threatened species.

We report the current status of birds at the Namuli Massif, northern Mozambique. Despite being the only known locality for the Namuli Apalis Apalis lynesi and the nominate race of the Dapplethroat Arcanator orostruthus, the mountain is very little known ornithologically. Prior to our survey it had only been visited by an ornithologist in 1932, when Jack Vincent collected in the area for three weeks. During our week-long survey in November-December 1998 we recorded 130 bird species from the Namuli area, including all three globally threatened species reported by Vincent (Thyolo Alethe Alethe choloensis, Dapplethroat and Namuli Apalis). The higher-elevation (>1,500 m) forests are still largely intact, but most of those at lower elevations have been cleared for agriculture. The alethe and apalis are common, occurring in remnant forest patches and secondary scrub as well as pristine forest from 1,160 to 2,000 m. The Dapplethroat is restricted to large, intact forests above 1,500 m, but also is fairly common (up to 2–3 singing males per hectare; greater densities than recorded elsewhere). Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica was recorded for the first time in Mozambique, and was suspected of breeding at 1,400 m. We estimate that some 1,300 ha of pristine forest remains on the main massif between Gurue and Mount Namuli, but this area is being reduced by burning and “subsistence” logging. Approximately 7,000 people currently live in the area east of the main forest. Grazing by goats and pigs on the montane grasslands surrounding the forests is another problem, but the gravest threat is posed by improved road access to the area, which could open the forests to commercial logging. In addition to being the sole locality known for the Namuli Apalis and the nominate race of Dapplethroat, the Namuli forests probably support the largest single populations of Thyolo Alethe and the well-marked belcheri race of Green Barbet. These populations make Namuli arguably the most critical Important Bird Area for Mozambique, and the remaining forests have a high priority for conservation action.

The Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus is considered one of the most threatened seabirds in the world, with the breeding population thought to be in the range of 2,000–3,200 breeding pairs, from which global population has been inferred as 10,000 to 15,000 birds. To test whether the actual population of Balearic Shearwaters is larger than presently thought, we analysed the data from four land-based census campaigns of Balearic Shearwater post-breeding migration through the Strait of Gibraltar (mid-May to mid-July 2007–2010). The raw results of the counts, covering from 37% to 67% of the daylight time throughout the migratory period, all revealed figures in excess of 12,000 birds, and went up to almost 18,000 in two years. Generalised Additive Models were used to estimate the numbers of birds passing during the time periods in which counts were not undertaken (count gaps), and their associated error. The addition of both counted and estimated birds reveals figures of between 23,780 and 26,535 Balearic Shearwaters migrating along the north coast of the Strait of Gibraltar in each of the four years of our study. The effects of several sources of bias suggest a slight potential underestimation in our results. These figures reveal the urgent need to reformulate the population viability analysis for the species, and then if necessary reconsider its conservation status.

The Marsh Seedeater Sporophila palustris is one of the most endangered and least known of the capuchino seedeaters. Breeding populations are patchy, occurring in north-east Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. We present data on the breeding biology of the species, and describe nests and eggs, behaviour (including courtship, nesting, incubation and parental care), breeding sites and food items. Marsh Seedeaters breed in well-preserved grasslands with wet soils and tall vegetation. In general, these habitats are used for extensive livestock ranching. Main threats are overgrazing, widespread use of fire, conversion of grasslands to pastures of exotic grasses and rice fields, afforestation, and illegal trapping. Most breeding sites are located in Important Bird Areas, but only one in Brazil and one in Argentina are protected. We propose a series of actions to promote the conservation of Marsh Seedeaters and other endangered birds that coexist in grassland habitats.

A sharp decline in the numbers of Asian Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii towards the end of the 20th century raised concerns about the conservation status of this species. Yet due to its large breeding range in the remote steppes and deserts of Central Asia and to its cryptic behaviour, it has been difficult to obtain enough comparable data to make reliable estimates of population trends. Here, we present the results of 10 years of extensive biannual surveys throughout southern Kazakhstan, considered to host the majority of the breeding birds in Asia, and we discuss trends in the Kazakh populations for the first decade of this century. The breeding Houbara population has generally declined over the greater part of Kazakhstan between 2000 and 2009 but with important regional differences. A steep decline was observed in north-east Caspian and Karakum, and a sharp drop followed by a stabilisation occurred in Kyzylkum. Over the same period, estimated densities were stable or increased in the area surrounding Lake Balkash, and increased in the Betpak-Dala region of central Kazakhstan. Autumn surveys showed more variability and revealed little decline overall. It was also clear that Betpak-Dala and Balkash regions hosted the largest populations. Our findings suggest that it is a complex undertaking to assign a level of vulnerability for this species as a whole. Highly variable population trends between regions indicate that threats and pressures are to a considerable extent region-specific, and that conservation measures need to be adjusted locally.

Estimating population abundances and patterns of change over time are important in both ecology and conservation. Trend assessment typically entails fitting a regression to a time series of abundances to estimate population trajectory. However, changes in abundance estimates from year-to-year across time are due to both true variation in population size (process variation) and variation due to imperfect sampling and model fit. State-space models are a relatively new method that can be used to partition the error components and quantify trends based only on process variation. We compare a state-space modelling approach with a more traditional linear regression approach to assess trends in uncorrected raw counts and detection-corrected abundance estimates of forest birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i. Most species demonstrated similar trends using either method. In general, evidence for trends using state-space models was less strong than for linear regression, as measured by estimates of precision. However, while the state-space models may sacrifice precision, the expectation is that these estimates provide a better representation of the real world biological processes of interest because they are partitioning process variation (environmental and demographic variation) and observation variation (sampling and model variation). The state-space approach also provides annual estimates of abundance which can be used by managers to set conservation strategies, and can be linked to factors that vary by year, such as climate, to better understand processes that drive population trends.

Avian electrocutions are a global conservation problem. Power outages associated with electrocutions are problematic for electric utilities focused on delivering reliable electric power. We used contextual data, photographs, line voltage, outage type and assessments of power line components to quantify outage-causing avian electrocutions throughout each of Iran’s 31 provinces. We evaluated records of 222 avian-caused outages involving 235 electrocuted birds in 2018. Of these, 14.5% involved species of conservation concern, and a few (at least eight) sparked fires when the plumage of electrocuted birds ignited and fell into dry vegetation. Most avian-caused outages (96%) involved distribution voltages, and 91% involved phase-to-ground contacts attributable to grounded concrete pylons with grounded steel crossarms. These are the most common type of power line structure in Iran. Insulators were involved in 37% of outage-causing avian electrocutions, fused cutouts 29%, transformers 33%, and midspan collisions 1%. Given the numbers of these components in the electrical system, fused cutouts and transformers were involved in more outage-causing avian electrocutions than expected due to chance. The average body size of electrocuted birds was largest for incidents involving suspension insulators, smaller for birds electrocuted on other insulators, and smallest for electrocutions on fused cutouts and transformers. Given that most avian electrocutions do not cause outages and given the similarity across electric systems in the region, our findings likely indicate a much larger avian electrocution concern throughout the middle east. Retrofitting power line components to reduce avian contacts would reduce impacts to wildlife and improve the electrical system’s reliability, reduce costs associated with unplanned outages, and reduce risks associated power line ignitions of fires.

Parrot poaching and the subsequent illegal trade in the Neotropics are exacerbating the decline in parrot populations. Little is known, however, on where, when and how parrots are poached. The goals of this study were to identify the spatio-temporal patterns of parrot poaching in order to identify ways in which poaching could be reduced, using parrot data (9,013 individuals from 27 species) collected daily in a major illicit wildlife market in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2005. Parrot data identified the individuals by species, age, date of arrival at market, and the poaching location. Parrot poaching strongly varied seasonally, with differences among municipalities, species, and age classes. While almost 90% of parrots were poached within a 234 km radius of the market, 84% originated from seven municipalities in which two of them accounted for 56% alone. With regard to species, six of the 27 market species accounted for nearly 90% of total individuals. A disproportionate share of parrots (47%) arrived between July and September. Poaching of adults and juveniles peaked however at different times of the year, offering valuable information for species where very little is known about their breeding phenology. Contrary to the idea that most parrot trade comes from nest poaching, most poached parrots (c.70%) were adults, which outnumbered juveniles in 21 out of the 26 native species. Therefore, the detrimental effects of parrot poaching are higher than simple trade numbers would suggest when considering that harvesting of adults has a stronger impact on the population viability and risk of extinction of long-lived species. Based on the findings, we recommend the allocation of police and conservation resources to patrol particular areas at particular times of the year in order to reduce the likelihood of poaching by species, age classes, and conservation status.

The endangered Green Peafowl Pavo muticus is one of the most threatened vertebrate species in South-East Asia and has undergone a rapid decline in both distribution and population density. The remaining populations are mostly limited to protected areas where an understanding of their ecological requirements is required to ensure that conservation management is effective. To clarify this, we investigated their population status and ecological requirements in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, western Thailand. Line transect surveys across five sections of the Sanctuary revealed variation in population density, apparently linked to recent levels of human activity and management. Comparison of encounter rates along transects with those recorded in similar surveys conducted 21 years previously showed an increase in numbers in most of the peripheral areas of the sanctuary whilst numbers in the core area have remained stable. Using camera trapping and radio tracking to investigate habitat selection all year round, our results showed that the Green Peafowl preferred areas with an open understorey but a high percentage cover of ground vegetation. During the breeding season they preferred to cluster near streams to establish a display site, whilst in the non-breeding season they ranged more widely but still preferred areas of open understorey and high ground cover. We present some evidence of temporary avoidance of areas recently frequented by large predators (tiger and common leopard). Our results suggest that increased patrols to control hunting help to allow Green Peafowl populations to recover. We suggest that measures that allow recovery of populations of species such as Green Peafowl will ultimately enhance large predator conservation through increasing their prey base.

To estimate the potential of forest birds to persist in the increasingly deforested island of Sulawesi, we undertook a mist-net survey in the understorey of natural as well as modified forest (forest garden and heavily logged forest) at submontane elevations in Central Sulawesi. A total of forty 102 m mist-net lines were distributed over five 16 ha study sites. Two of the sites were situated in an extensively forested valley, and three in a valley with severely fragmented forest. Of 23 species captured, only seven were typical understorey dwellers of submontane forest, five of which are Sulawesi region endemics. Most were found in similar numbers in natural and modified forest, but one species was significantly more common in modified forest. Of the five endemics, two species were confined to, and one species was significantly more abundant in, the extensively forested valley compared with the severely deforested valley. Our results suggest that the conservation of the remaining submontane forest is crucial to the conservation of Central Sulawesi's understorey bird diversity, but that many Sulawesi endemics might be able to survive in modified habitats.

The forests of the Angolan highlands are the smallest and most isolated of the Afromontane centres of endemism. Despite their high biodiversity value and small, fragmented extent of less than 200 ha, they remain entirely unprotected. Here we draw attention to their uniqueness and the threats to their conservation. We specifically highlight the importance of Mt Moco to bird conservation and describe current forest cover and condition. Sixty-four endemic/near-endemic species/subspecies and taxa with isolated populations are associated with the highlands of western Angola. All 19 forest-dependent taxa are among the 233 species recorded at Mt Moco, which include a rich diversity of montane specialists. Swierstra’s Francolin Pternistis swierstrai is the only threatened endemic. In 2009, 10 of 30 forest patches at Mt Moco larger than 0.5 ha were surveyed for this species. It occurred in seven of these surveyed patches, at a mean minimum density of 0.95 pair ha−1 in forest patches > 1 ha. Based on extrapolations of this figure, we estimate a minimum of 75 pairs of Swierstra’s Francolin at Mt Moco, and 185–420 pairs worldwide. Due to both limited range and small population size, we propose the species be up-listed from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Endangered’. Total forest cover at Mount Moco in forest patches > 0.5 ha in size is currently 85 ha. This is c.40% of the total cover of Afromontane forest estimated for Angola in 1974. Remaining forest cover at Mt Moco is being eroded by bush fires, removal of wood for fire and construction material, and clearance for subsistence agriculture by the c.330 inhabitants of Kanjonde village. In order to preserve the forest of Mt Moco, we propose the implementation of a protected area and define its boundaries. A similar proposal was made in 1974 for the creation of the Mount Moco Special Reserve.

The Juan Fernández Firecrown Sephanoides fernandensis and Juan Fernández Tit-Tyrant Anairetes fernandezianus are two endemic forest birds inhabiting Robinson Crusoe Island and are classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ and ‘Near Threatened’ respectively by IUCN. Previous research concluded that the two main factors involved in the decline of these birds were habitat degradation and the introduction of predator / competitor species. However, the potential role of parasitic diseases has not yet been explored. In order to explore hypothetical host-switching phenomena, we genetically identified the haemoparasites present in four bird species, the two endemic species mentioned above and two recent colonisers, Green-Backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes and Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii. We failed to find infections by different blood parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma, Babesia and Isospora) in the endangered Juan Fernández Firecrown. However, the Juan Fernández Tit-Tyrant was infected with some parasites shared with the Austral Thrush. The latter species may function as a key-host species on the island as it showed both the higher hemoparaasitic diversity and prevalence. The role of Green-Backed Firecrowns is apparently of lower importance because only one individual was found parasitized. The Austral Thrush could be responsible of the introduction of some parasites also isolated from the Juan Fernández Tit-Tyrant and represent a potential threat to the endemic firecrown due to its role as a reservoir. The spread of Austral Thrushes could increase the contact between species, increasing the probability of a switching event.

The killing of birds for scientific reference causes debate and dispute whose intensity is in inverse proportion to its relevance as a conservation issue, with similar degrees of heat being generated only by such momentous things as the standardization of vernacular bird names. Doubtless this is because these are seemingly simple, black-and-white issues over which many people feel they have sufficient personal clarity and power to achieve a resolution. Really important matters – global warming, intransigent debt arrangements for developing nations, exponential human population growth, obliteration of habitats for short-term human gain, scandalous abuses of biocide in agriculture, saturation-level corruption and incompetence in state conservation agencies, all of which are poised to degrade the ornithological environment beyond recognition – belong to another dimension altogether in which most of us are simply sleepwalking towards doomsday. It is important, then, to get the collecting issue into reasonable perspective as soon as humanly possible.

Competition between closely related species of migratory birds is thought to be important in determining their winter distributions, habitat and resource use. However, the role of active dominance interactions has generally been downplayed. In this paper we review the occurrence of interspecific feeding territories among certain Neotropical migrants. Aggressive dominants have been reported primarily at flowering plants, but also at the honeydew from scale insect infestations, the canopy of insect-rich pioneer trees and, occasionally, fruiting trees. Although the phenomenon is uncommon, aggressively dominant species may be important in certain habitats. The presence of such interspecific territorial systems argues for the poverty of resources in the habitat as a whole. Studying aggressive interactions among migrants is a way of using bird behaviour to define critical resources for conservation management.

The extent of intertidal flats in the Yellow Sea region has declined significantly in the past few decades, resulting in severe population declines in several waterbird species. The Yellow Sea region holds the primary stopover sites for many shorebirds during their migration to and from northern breeding grounds. However, the functional roles of these sites in shorebirds’ stopover ecology remain poorly understood. Through field surveys between July and November 2015, we investigated the stopover and moult schedules of migratory shorebirds along the southern Jiangsu coast, eastern China during their southbound migration, with a focus on the ‘Critically Endangered’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea and ‘Endangered’ Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer. Long-term count data indicate that both species regularly occur in globally important number in southern Jiangsu coast, constituting 16.67–49.34% and 64.0–80.67% of their global population estimates respectively, and it is highly likely that most adults undergo their primary moult during this southbound migration stopover. Our results show that Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann’s Greenshank staged for an extended period of time (66 and 84 days, respectively) to complete their primary moult. On average, Spoon-billed Sandpipers and Nordmann’s Greenshanks started moulting primary feathers on 8 August ± 4.52 and 27 July ± 1.56 days respectively, and their moult durations were 72.58 ± 9.08 and 65.09 ± 2.40 days. In addition, some individuals of several other shorebird species including the ‘Endangered’ Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, ‘Near Threatened’ Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, ‘Near Threatened’ Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii also underwent primary moult. Our work highlights the importance of the southern Jiangsu region as the primary moulting ground for these species, reinforcing that conservation of shorebird habitat including both intertidal flats and supratidal roosting sites in this region is critical to safeguard the future of some highly threatened shorebird species.

Sheldgeese of the genus Chloephaga are waterfowl (Anatidae) endemic to mainland South America and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Continental populations of three species C. picta, C. poliocephala, and C. rubidiceps breed in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and migrate northwards to winter in central Argentina and Chile. These continental populations have declined by > 50% in the past 30 years due to direct hunting to control crop damage and by the introduction of the grey fox Dusicyon griseus to their breeding grounds in Tierra del Fuego. The continental population of C. rubidiceps is critically endangered, estimated to be < 1,000 individuals. While no historic population size estimates exist for C. rubidiceps in its wintering grounds, the breeding population in Tierra del Fuego was estimated to number several thousand individuals in the 1950s. In contrast, the C. rubidiceps population in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) is non-migratory and stable with > 42,000 individuals, as is the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) population of C. picta leucoptera with > 138,000 individuals. Here we use sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA control region to quantify genetic divergence between insular and continental populations of these two species of sheldgeese. Chloephaga rubidiceps and C. picta showed significant intraspecific differentiation of 1.0% and 0.6%, respectively. In both cases, mainland and insular populations were reciprocally monophyletic and did not share mtDNA haplotypes. These results suggest that the insular and continental populations of C. rubidiceps and C. picta are genetically distinct and that female-mediated gene flow is restricted. We recommend a reevaluation of the threat category status of the continental C. rubidiceps population, under IUCN guidelines. It is necessary to implement urgent actions for the conservation of this critically endangered population.

Roughly 30% of the avifauna of the dry tropical forests of north-western Peru and adjacent south-western Ecuador is endemic to this small region. Large areas in this region, especially on the Ecuadorian side of the border, have been deforested, further heightening the threatened conservation status of this fauna. The largest remaining tracts of forest in this region are in the Bosque Nacional de Tumbes, Peru. This forest, which was visited in 1986 and 1988, holds significant populations of 12 threatened or near-threatened species, and smaller populations of at least three more endangered species. Six species (Aramides axillaris, Thalurania colombica, Picumnus olivaceus, Attila torridus, Arremonops conirostris, Carduelis siemiradzkii) are reported in Peru for the first time. Evidence is presented for seasonal movements of some species, including the threatened Leptotila ochraceiventris and in the small Peruvian population of Pionus chalcopterus. Based primarily on vocal evidence, it is proposed that Thamnophilus zarumae and Grallaria watkinsi be recognized as full species, and that “Empidonax” griseipectus be transferred to Lathrotriccus; further work is needed on the species status of endemic forms in other polytypic species such as Sittasomus griseicapillus and Pyriglena leuconota.

Aproximadamente 30% de la avifauna de los bosques secos tropicales del noroeste del Perú, y del suroeste de Ecuador, es endémica a esta pequeña región. Extensas areas en esta región, especialmente del lado de la frontera ecuatoriana, han sido deforestadas, aumentando así la amenaza para la conservación de la fauna. Los más grandes vestigios de bosque seco tropical que subsisten en esta región están localizados en el Bosque Nacional de Tumbes en el Perú. Este bosque, que fue visitado en 1986 y 1988, tiene poblaciones significativas de 12 especies amenazadas o con posible amenaza de extinción, y poblaciones pequeñas de 3 especies más que están en peligro de desaparecer. Notas sobre la historia natural son presentadas para 28 especies, incluyendo 11 especies que están amenazadas o en peligro de extinción. Seis especies (Aramides axillaris, Thalurania colombica, Picumnus olivaceus, Attila torridus, Arremonops conirostris, Carduelis siemiradzkii) están reportados en el Perú por primera vez. Evidencia es presentada para movimientos estacionales de algunas especies, incluyendo la amenazada Leptotila ochraceiventris y la población pequeña peruana de Pionus chalcopterus. Basandose principalmente en evidencia vocal, se propone que Thamnophilus zarumae y Grallaria watkinsi pueden ser reconocidas como especies y que “Empidonax” griseipectus puede ser transferido a Lathrotriccus. Se necesita más estudios para determinar el estatus de las formas endémicas de especies politípicas como Sittasomus griseicapillus y Pyriglena leuconota.

Many breeding colonies of Procellariiformes have been threatened with extinction. Chick translocation has been shown to be an effective method for establishing new “safer” colonies of burrow-nesting species, but techniques for surface-nesting species have not been fully developed. The entire breeding population of the threatened Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastoria albatrus is restricted to two sites, Torishima Island and the Senkaku Islands, and neither site is secure due to volcanic activity or political instability. The Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team has recommended facilitating the recovery of this species by establishing at least one additional colony through the translocation and hand-rearing of chicks at a safe historical breeding site. To evaluate the feasibility of this approach, we hand-reared 10 post-guard phase chicks of two related species in 2006–2007: Laysan Albatross P. immutabilis translocated from Midway Atoll to Kaua’i Island, Hawai’i and Black-footed Albatross P. nigripes translocated from a nearby islet in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to Mukojima Island, Japan. In these pilot studies, 40% of Laysan Albatross chicks and 90% of Black-footed Albatross chicks fledged successfully. Following this groundwork, 40 post-guard phase Short-tailed Albatross chicks were translocated from Torishima Island to Mukojima Island in February 2008–2010 and hand-reared to fledging. Their fledging success has been 100% in all three years. Fledging body sizes were similar or greater in hand-reared chicks at the release site than parent-reared chicks on Torishima Island. There were significant differences in levels of some blood chemistry parameters between pre-fledging hand-reared and parent-reared chicks. The techniques developed in our studies have broad-reaching implications for the future conservation of threatened populations of other surface-nesting seabirds.