A population of feral domestic cats Felis catus has existed at subantarctic Marion Island since 1951. From 1977 to 1990 an ongoing programme has utilized an introduced disease, shooting and gin-trapping in an endeavour to control cat numbers, with the eventual aim of their eradication. Burrowing petrels (Procellariidae) form the majority of the cats' diet. The breeding success of the winter-breeding Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera has varied between nil and 20.5% in the period from 1979 to 1984, due primarily to cat predation of chicks causing up to 100% mortality. In 1990, by which time cat numbers had been greatly reduced from their 1970s' peak, Great-winged Petrels had a breeding success of 59.6%, with chick mortality being zero. No signs of cat predation were observed. This finding provides good reason to continue the control programme until cats are finally eradicated from Marion Island.

The transition to the use of non-toxic shot and fishing weights has been slow at the international level despite the Bern Convention and the African Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) having called for a ban on lead shot use by the year 2000. Adopting lead substitutes is also consistent with the habitat goals of the Ramsar Convention and the Biodiversity Convention. In countries where non-toxic shot and sinkers are required by law, published studies show a marked reduction in lead toxicosis and large savings of birds. A renewed commitment from the AEWA, the Bern Convention, and especially the Ramsar Convention is needed to encourage their parties to regulate the use of non-toxic materials. Eleven different non-toxic substitutes for shot now exist, and some of these can also serve as substitutes for lead sinkers. While previous regulatory emphasis has been placed on wetland habitats, any new initiatives could also propose a phasing out of lead shot in upland habitats to reduce the prevalence of secondary lead poisoning of migratory raptors.

The Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata is a globally endangered passerine from the southern cone of South America. Because of its conspicuous plumage and very attractive song, it suffers considerably from illegal pet trade. The largest remaining populations are found in Argentina, but no coordinated efforts have been made thus far to understand better its current distribution and conservation status. During three annual surveys supported by a citizen science programme, more than 140 volunteers surveyed 644 geographical points during spring and detected 221 Yellow Cardinals. Based on the survey results, we evaluated the presence of cardinals within protected areas in Argentina and found that the species was only detected in four of them, two of which were private reserves with a low level of protection. We also found that the species was not restricted to the ‘Espinal’ ecoregion, but also inhabited ‘Monte’ and ‘Chaco’ ecoregions, which are generally drier. This citizen science programme allowed us to obtain up-to-date information on the remaining populations of the Yellow Cardinal and helped to increase public awareness about the conservation problems faced by the species. We propose some future strategies for monitoring Yellow Cardinals and taking informed conservation decisions.

The Azores Bullfinch is endemic to the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). Its status was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2005 on the basis of an extremely small and declining population that was considered to be restricted to a very small mountain range (43 km2), in a single location, within which the spread of invasive plants constituted a threat to habitat quality. Nevertheless, information was mostly inferred, or the product of, non-systematic studies. In order to carry out a complete assessment of the conservation status we analysed: (i) population trend, calculated from annual monitoring 1991–2008, (ii) population size, and (iii) range size, obtaining estimates in a single morning study in 2008 involving the simultaneous participation of 48 observers. Contrary to previous inferences, the population is no longer decreasing, although quality of laurel forest habitat continues to decline due to the persistent threat of invasive species. Population size (mean ± SE) was estimated at 1,064 ± 304 individuals using distance sampling methods, although the estimate was very sensitive to the survey method used. Range size estimates (extent of occurrence and area of occupancy) were 144 km2 and 83 km2 respectively. Given the present information, we propose the downlisting of Azores Bullfinch to Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

New World parrots are declining throughout their range. Blue and Gold Macaw Ara ararauna was extirpated from the island of Trinidad in the late 1960s through anthropogenic processes. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is assisting the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division, Trinidad on a mission to restore the species into its historical range within the Bush-Bush Sanctuary in the Nariva Swamp. The Sanctuary has been protected by the government of Trinidad and is the home of the endangered Red-bellied Macaw Ara manilata and West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus. Zoo and Wildlife personnel participated in three separate releases, beginning in December 1999 through to March 2000. The initial release consisted of an identical sex group of macaws followed by two additional releases of pairs/groups of birds. Of 18 Blue and Gold Macaws, 14 were released into the Nariva Swamp and are currently being monitored by the Wildlife Section, Zoo personnel and surrounding community. Translocation of wild populations of parrots has proven to be a viable solution to restocking wild populations that have been regionally extirpated.

A study was made of the feeding behaviour of Olrog's gull Larus atlanticus in winter. Although feeding mainly on crabs they also, contrary to previous observations, made use of discarded offal, much as other species of gull. Such generalist feeding habits are likely to be beneficial to the conservation of the species.

The reproductive ecology and behaviour of the endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus was studied at the Guanica Forest, located in south-western Puerto Rico. From 1985 to 1987 a total of 23 nightjar nests were located. Nests were initiated between 24 February and 2 July. Nightjar males were mostly responsible for parental duties. An elaborate nest-relief ceremony was discovered for this species. Courtship and laying activities were most common during the new moon and last quarter phases. Hatching dates were centred 3-5 days around the first quarter and during full moon. A total of 87% of the nests were successful in producing at least one fledgling. Locomotory activity of radio-tagged nightjar males was higher during periods of twilight, and averaged 61.5 m/movement. Area of primary utilization (i.e. home range) averaged 5.2 ha/nightjar during the period of transmission. A large portion of the species's current range is privately owned forestland that could be subjected to changes (i.e. deforestation), rendering it useless for nightjars. The sedentary nature and nesting habits of this species make it particularly sensitive to the physical and ecological alteration of mature dry forest. Conservation of existing reserves, reforestation of disturbed areas with native and selected plantation species, and acquisition of privately owned tracts of mature dry limestone forest will help to insure the long-term survival of the species throughout its range.

La ecologia reproductiva del Guabairo Pequeno de Puerto Rico Caprimulgus noctitherus, conocido comunmente como guabairo, se estudió en el bosque de Guánica, localizado en el suroeste de Puerto Rico. Del 1985-1987 se localizaron un total de 23 nidos. La temporada reproductiva se extendió desde el 24 de febrero hasta el 2 de julio. El macho de la especie es mayormente responsable por el cuidado parental. Se descubrió una ceremonia altamente elaborada para el relevo en el nido. La actividad de cortejeo y el comienzo de los nidos era mas común durante las fases de luna nueva y cuarto menguante. Las fechas de eclosion se encontraban de 3–5 dfas alrededor del cuarto creciente y la luna llena. Un 87% de los nidos fueron exitosos en producir por lo menos un volantón. La actividad locomotora de machos de guabairo equipados con radiotransmisores fue más alta durante el perfodo crepuscular y promedió 61.5 m/ movimiento. El área de utilizatión primaria promedio fue de 5.2 ha/guabairo durante el perfodo de transmisión. Una parte considerable de la distributión del guabairo aún se encuentra en áreas bajo propiedad privada, podiendo sufrir cambios dramáticos en la compositión del paisaje (i.e. desmonte). La naturaleza sedentaria de esta especie y sus hábitos reproductivos la hace particularmente vulnerable a la alteratión fisica y ecológica del bosque seco. La conservatión de las unidades de conservatión existentes, la reforestatión con especies de árboles nativos y algunas especies de plantatión, y la adquisición de áreas privadas de bosque seco maduro ayudará a asegurar la sobrevivencia a largo plazo de la especie a través de su distribution geográfica.

Eleonora’s Falcon is a long-distance migrant of the Palearctic region. In recent years, the advent of satellite telemetry has enabled a more detailed investigation of the species’s migratory and wintering periods. In this study, we model the distribution pattern of four Eleonora’s Falcons originating from Greece within their wintering grounds in Madagascar with the use of satellite telemetry data and a niche-based technique, Maxent. The model predicted few highly suitable areas for the occurrence of the species, restricted to elevated areas receiving large amounts of precipitation during the wintering period, containing patches of primary and degraded humid submontane forests as well as cultivation. Most of these areas occurred within the previously estimated home ranges of the four falcons, as well as of three falcons from another independent study. Taking into account the ongoing alterations in landscape structure that occur within the eastern rainforest region of Madagascar, we believe that it is imperative to better understand the ecological requirements of Eleonora’s Falcon. To this end, we recommend the application of Maxent in the study of habitat selection of the species that could be further refined with the inclusion of biotic interactions and seasonal resource availability.

Codfish Island is the southernmost breeding location for Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii), endemic to the New Zealand archipelago. To provide a population estimate and indication of population growth following introduced predator eradications we conducted an island-wide survey of Codfish Island within two a priori defined strata. Plot surveys revealed only five burrows within forest habitats from 175 plots surveyed and the locations of these and other burrows observed incidentally were used to identify three key areas of Cook's Petrel breeding activity that were subsequently surveyed using line transects. Within these areas, 42 burrows were counted with burrow densities ranging from 0.0003 to 0.002 burrows m−2. Burrow densities in conjunction with the three-dimensional surface areas of the surveyed locations suggested a minimum of 6,194 ± 956 burrows present and equated to approximately 5,000 (95% CI 3,000–6,000) breeding pairs, using a burrow occupancy estimate of 80%. The Cook's Petrel population on Codfish Island appears to have increased markedly since Weka (Gallirallis australis ) and Pacific Rat (Rattus exulans) were eradicated in 1980 and 1998 and is consistent with a recent upwards revision of the species' world population size of approximately 1,300,000 (900,000–1,800,000) individuals. Revised population data, and ongoing protection of Cook's Petrel's major breeding sites may now qualify the species for a revised conservation status moving from Endangered to Vulnerable under IUCN criteria.

The Socorro Mockingbird Mimodes graysoni is endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, and has declined dramatically in this century. Study of its population size, distribution, and structure is currently under way to help assess its conservation status. In 1993 and 1994 215 Socorro Mockingbirds were ringed; a modified Lincoln index yielded a population estimate of 353 ± 66 individuals in 1994. Most of the birds observed occupied a small region at high elevation that covered less than 10% of the island's area. Average territory size was 1.48 ± 0.71 ha, n = 11. Of the 86 birds banded in 1993 67% were adults and 33% subadults. Of the 170 birds detected in 1994, including new captures and ringed individuals from the previous year, 44% were adults and 56% subadults. In 1993 62% were male and 38% female; in 1994 56% were male and 44% were female. The sex ratio of the population was similar to that of other undisturbed Mimid populations, which argues against the possibility that cats might prey disproportionately on incubating females. Moreover, the presence of young birds in both years indicates that successful reproduction was occurring and that the population was not suffering catastrophic nest failure, as might be caused by cat predation on nestlings or fledglings. Northern Mockingbirds Mimus polyglottos, which first arrived on Socorro in the 1970s, occupied mainly open areas produced by sheep grazing, which suggests that the Socorro Mockingbird is not being competitively displaced. Our observations indicate that habitat degradation by sheep is the most probable cause of the Socorro Mockingbird's decline.

Afromontane forest is the most localised and threatened habitat type in Angola. For the past 40 years the estimate of the area covered by this habitat in Angola has been c.200 ha. At present, 85 ha remain at Mt Moco, the most important known site to date. This habitat holds 20 bird taxa of conservation significance but some are now rare or absent at Mt Moco. Given the small extent of forest, its high conservation value and the severe human impacts on it, finding new areas of Afromontane forest is a high conservation priority. With this objective, we visited the Namba mountains in July 2010, where c.100 ha was thought to remain in the 1970s, to establish the extent and condition of forest there and to conduct bird surveys. We found closed-canopy Afromontane forest with an abundance of Podocarpus latifolius and little human disturbance. We recorded 89 bird species, 56 in or adjacent to forest and including all 20 priority taxa and a significant population of the Endangered Swierstra’s Francolin Pternistis swierstrai. On-screen digitising of forest patches using Google Earth indicates that the larger patches are an order of magnitude larger than at Mt Moco and that there is currently > 590 ha of forest in the Namba mountains, more than trebling the previous national estimate. The site qualifies as a new Important Bird Area and is a high priority for inclusion in Angola’s protected area network.

The Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps has two separate and genetically distinct populations, one sedentary that inhabits the Malvinas/Falklands Islands and another migratory, which inhabits continental southern South America. New information suggests that these populations should be considered as different evolutionarily significant units. The latter population breeds in Austral Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) and overwinters in Central Argentina. It was a very common species in Austral Magellanic steppe grasslands before 1931, when it was declared an “agricultural pest” by the Argentinian government, together with other sheldgeese species. Since then, the continental Ruddy-headed Goose population has declined becoming one of the scarcest species in Austral Magellanic steppe. Nowadays, its population is categorised as critically endangered in Argentina and endangered in Chile. We present data from six road censuses conducted in the breeding areas of Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego provinces, Argentina, during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 (>4600 km, 70 days) and review population trends of the Ruddy-headed Goose since the early 1900s. We counted a maximum of 19 individuals in Santa Cruz and 49 in Tierra del Fuego throughout the breeding season. A literature review indicates that during the last 40 years the size of continental population of Ruddy-headed Goose has been < 800 individuals, approximately 10% of the estimated population in the 1900s. This decline matches the period following the application of control techniques and the introduction of exotic predator species in the breeding grounds of Tierra del Fuego. We review and discuss formerly proposed conservation actions that may have a positive and rapid effect on sheldgoose numbers recovery. We suggest that the continental population of Ruddy-headed Goose should on a precautionary basis be treated as a critically endangered population until genetic studies determine whether we are in the presence of a new ‘Critically Endangered’ species.

Many bird species of conservation importance inhabit the grasslands of the Hungarian Great Plain. Although extensive grazing management usually supports more bird species than intensive management, the conservation priority is to protect rare or declining species. Therefore, the conservation status of species must also be included in assessments of the value of different habitats. We used territory mapping to count birds in 21 extensively and intensively grazed field pairs on the Hungarian Great Plain, and subsequently adjusted site scores depending on which species appeared on various lists of priority taxa. We investigated differences in conservation scores of two global conservation lists (the Bonn Convention and another based on values of eight biological characteristics), two West Europe based lists (Bird Directive and CORINE), three continental lists (European Threat Status, SPEC and Bern Convention) and two Hungarian lists (protected species of Hungary and an alternative based on the specifics of Hungarian populations). Extensively managed fields had higher conservation values under seven of the nine priority lists: only the two West Europe based lists showed opposite trends in more than half the study areas. Since both West Europe based lists cover many central and eastern European countries, there is an urgent need to revise these lists, especially the Bird Directive list that gives serious legal responsibilities to countries.

This study analyses whether effective conservation of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa breeding populations in the Netherlands can be achieved through the EU network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). An internationally important number of pairs of Black-tailed Godwit breeds in the Netherlands but the breeding population is declining steeply and is, in effect, unprotected, as the Netherlands has not designated SPAs for it. To contribute to firmer and more efficient protection of the Black-tailed Godwit, we set out to identify the core areas in the Netherlands where this species is expected to breed in 2020. On the basis of an optimal combination of three main habitat requirements (groundwater level, land-use and openness of the landscape) we identified five core areas in lower-lying (western) Netherlands: Zuidwest Friesland, Waterland, the IJssel delta area, Arkemheen and Eem polders, and Groene Hart. Because these areas are currently not designated for the breeding period of Black-tailed Godwit within the SPA network, the protection of this flagship species of Dutch meadows could be at risk. It seems likely that the Black-tailed Godwit population will continue to decline, with the result that the Netherlands will breach several policy commitments for the conservation of this species.

Although the population of Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus is significantly increasing in Europe, in Italy the species is still on the Red List as ‘Critically Endangered’, with the last natural population persisting on the island of Sardinia. Several episodes of poisoning hampered the success of conservation actions implemented in the years 1987–1995. In 2005 there were estimated to be only 31–32 territorial pairs, with the population occupying the territories of Alghero and Bosa. We used a long-term dataset of reproductive records from the Sardinian Griffon Vulture populations to run a population viability analysis (PVA) to evaluate the extinction risk using the Vortex simulation software. The model estimated the probability of extinction over the next five generations (estimated generation time: 11 years, simulation time used: 55 years) as 96.4% for the Alghero population, and near-zero for the Bosa population. We used sensitivity analyses to understand how uncertainty about parameter values affect model outcomes. Population projections were evaluated under different management scenarios tackling the main threats (poisoning and human disturbance) and implementing conservation actions (supplementary feeding and restocking). Our results showed that population size is a critical factor in affecting the projections of population dynamics of Griffon Vultures. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the importance of poisoning events to population persistence and showed that juvenile and adult mortality rates had a secondary impact on population viability. The only conservation measure effective in significantly increasing stochastic growth rates in the Alghero population, whose initial population was set at five individuals, was the complete removal of poisoning events. When targeting the Bosa population (initial population size 94 individuals), supplementary feeding, mitigation of the risk of poisoning episodes, restocking, and mitigation of human disturbance in the reproductive sites significantly increased stochastic growth rate. A cost-effectiveness analysis should be performed to prioritise interventions.

The islands of Wallacea were surveyed most intensely by field ornithologists in the nineteenth century, and again in the 1990s. However, the status and habitat use of bird species on many islands remains unknown. This study examined birds in several natural and disturbed habitats on Lembata (also known as Lomblen) Island, Indonesia. A total of 78 bird species were recorded including six endemic to the Lesser Sundas, an additional three Wallacean endemics and a total of 27 resident forest species. Including published records, 91 bird species have been recorded for Lembata. Extrapolation from the cumulative number of new species in the 45 samples gave an expected Total Bird Richness of 103.4 species. The frequency of occurrence of Lesser Sundas endemic bird species, all Wallacean endemics and Lesser Sundas endemic subspecies, forest-dependent species and frugivores was greatest in closed canopy forest (at higher elevations). Conversely, generalist “Australo-Papuan” species, granivores and nectarivores occurred more frequently in lowlands (including human-modified habitats). Protected area proposals were made in 1982, but there has been no management of natural areas for biological conservation on Lembata. Conservation activities aiming to stem forest loss and fragmentation in an Important Bird Area in southern Lembata, which includes significant populations of the Flores Green Pigeon Treron floris (Globally Vulnerable), may be an important step. Merits of the “Species list” survey method are discussed.

Direct payments to communities or individuals have gained traction as a tool for species conservation; however, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness. From 2010 to 2014, we monitored nests and implemented a direct payment nest protection programme for six sandbar-nesting bird species on the Mekong River, Cambodia, and tested if nest protection improved reproductive success. Nests were guarded by community members; additionally, exclosures were used to protect nests of River Tern Sterna aurantia, the species of highest conservation concern. We investigated factors affecting nest and chick survival, and probability of nest failure due to egg harvest or predation. Nesting later in the season generally resulted in lower nest and chick survival. Nest protection improved survival rates of River Tern nests and chicks, and Small Pratincole Glareola lactea nests. River Tern nest success was 60% for exclosed (and guarded) nests, 29% for guarded (but unexclosed) nests, and 5% for unprotected nests. River Tern fledging success was 82% for exclosed chicks, 40% for chicks that were guarded only, and 2% for unprotected chicks. Small Pratincole nest success was 21% for guarded and 6% for unguarded nests. Egg harvest by humans was lower among protected nests and declined during the study. Nest predation by animals increased during the study despite nest guarding; however, predator exclosures effectively protected nests and chicks. Additional predator control measures could further improve reproductive success of sandbar-nesting birds. Overall, nest protection involving direct payments was highly effective, but required diligent use of nest exclosures, frequent monitoring, and strong community relationships.

Farmland birds represent a large proportion of European avifauna, and the populations of several species have suffered a dramatic decline in recent decades. Among these species, the European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur has undergone rapid decline in much of its European range. Therefore, the main aims of this research are to estimate the population density of the Turtle Dove and to investigate its habitat use at home range scale in an intensively cultivated agroecosystem in northern Italy. In the 2015 breeding season we carried out turtle dove counts from 372 point-counts, randomly allocated following a stratified cluster sampling design. The density was estimated by distance sampling, whereas the habitat suitability was assessed by Resource Selection Probability Function. In particular, we followed a presence vs availability approach, using binary logistic regression and the Information-Theoretic approach. During fieldwork, 76 observations of Turtle Dove were collected and a density of 5.0 pairs/km2 was estimated. The Turtle Dove inhabits areas with high tree cover, either semi-natural forests or tree plantations, as well as areas with many shrubs and hedgerows. On the other hand, areas with a high proportion of crops, such as paddyfields, maize, and winter cereals are avoided. For the species’ conservation, it is necessary to maintain a combination of habitat features with suitable nesting and feeding areas, as the degradation of either of these may reduce Turtle Dove populations.

The trade in laughingthrush species native to Indonesia is not carried out in accordance with Indonesian legislation and regulations. During 65 surveys carried out in bird markets in 1997–2008, more than 11,000 laughingthrushes representing 10 species were observed, including all five species native to Indonesia. Bird dealers claim that these species are becoming increasingly scarce in Indonesia due to over-harvesting for trade, especially the Sumatran endemic Black-and-white Laughingthrush G. bicolor and the Javan endemic Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush G. rufifrons. Indonesia has legislation in place to protect these species from over-exploitation, yet the illegal trade continues on a large scale, carried out openly in city bird markets. Enforcement of this legislation is critical in order to prevent these species from becoming perilously threatened.

Wintering Nearctic migrants constitute a high proportion of the birds present in many terrestrial habitats in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles, but their proportions decline southward through the Lesser Antilles. Many migrants winter on densely populated islands which have been extensively deforested. Current estimates show that only 21% of the land area, or approximately five million hectares, remain in forest on Caribbean and Bahamian islands, indicating that most of the major deforestation has already occurred. Although reforestation is under way on a few islands, many remnant forest fragments are threatened by humans or natural disturbances such as drought or hurricanes. Thus wintering migrants requiring closed-canopy forest are at greatest risk to habitat loss, whereas species requiring early successional habitats are not currently threatened, assuming that pesticide use does not increase. Policies which protect forests, particularly mangroves, wet limestone and montane broadleaf forests in the Greater Antilles, and broadleaf scrub (“coppice”) in the Bahamas, will be beneficial to migrants and endemic species.