The Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Rwanda, part of the Virunga massif in the Albertine Rift region, boasts some of Rwanda’s best remaining natural vegetation and is home to many endangered and endemic species. The park has suffered from high levels of degradation and destruction, reducing in size by 50% during the 1960s and 1970s, and remains under threat from illegal activities, human population pressure and climate change. This study is the first to investigate the status and trends of bird communities in the VNP, using a multi-year dataset. We use a five-year dataset, totalling over 3,200 point-counts, both within and around the VNP, to assess the conservation value of the VNP for birds in comparison with other national parks and non-protected areas. We assess bird communities and population trends within and around the parks and identify important habitat factors for birds within the VNP. We found that the VNP hosts a unique bird community compared to other localities, with several Albertine Rift endemics and threatened species occurring in the VNP. Hagenia/ Hypericum woodland, herbaceous vegetation, brush ridge and mixed forest host the highest levels of bird diversity in the VNP, whilst the park’s waterbodies provide key habitat for the endangered Albertine Rift endemic Grauer’s Swamp-warbler (Bradypterus graueri). Elevation had a negative effect on bird diversity in the VNP, whilst the basal area of dead trees, Hagenia and vines had a positive effect. Both inside and outside the VNP, there was a significant decline in abundance and species richness over the sampling years; however, we advocate for further monitoring to confirm these trends. Based on our findings, we recommend effective, targeted management of key habitats for birds within the park, including those identified in this study, in order to mitigate bird declines and conserve the unique bird communities in the VNP.

The Vietnam Pheasant Lophura edwardsi (including L. hatinhensis) is only known from a small area of central Vietnam, where it occurred in wet forest below 300 m. It is probably extinct in the wild, but some 1,500 birds, derived from 28 individuals caught in 1924–1930, survive in captivity. Guidelines for reintroducing galliforms date from 2009. Subsequent literature was reviewed for new research findings to help maximise the chances of success in reintroducing birds. Studies confirmed that non-parent-reared captive-bred galliforms survive poorly, primarily owing to inadequate anti-predator responses. These reflect both genetic and ontogenetic unsuitability to wild conditions, with progressive maladaptation of stock being related to the number of generations spent in captivity (at least 35 in the case of Vietnam Pheasant). To compensate as far as possible for this deficiency, a reintroduction programme should use: environmental enrichment (including the provision of perches in aviaries), dietary enrichment (especially involving practice with live food), parent-rearing over several generations (although how many are needed for a species almost a century in captivity is unknown), soft releases (allowing full familiarisation with the future environment over at least 50 days), rigorous anti-predator training (against both air and ground attacks), anti-predation release stratagems (relocating and deterring predators, releasing birds at several stations, offering post-release support), determining appropriate numbers (per batch, with at least 300 in total per site) and time-frame for release (around five years) and the selection of fully suitable releasees in (as far as possible) naturally formed social groups, including parent-guided offspring aged around four months. Six sites need survey for extant populations or use for reintroduction, and the choice of reintroduction site will depend primarily on habitat extent and condition. The costs of these measures will be high and the overall project schedule will need to extend beyond the overall five years currently planned.

An effective conservation strategy for a species requires knowledge of its biology and life history. This applies to the endangered Ma’oma’o Gymnomyza samoensis, a honeyeater endemic to the Samoan archipelago. Now locally extinct in American Samoa, this species is currently found only in declining numbers on the islands of Upolu and Savai’i in Samoa. Despite being endangered, the life history and breeding behaviour of the Ma’oma’o has not been documented previously. Here we examine Ma’oma’o nesting and breeding biology, which are unique among studied honeyeaters and unusual for passerines in general. Ma’oma’o lay only a single egg per clutch and have an extended breeding season that occurs outside the rainy season and peaks during budburst. Allometric analysis of the length of the nesting period of different honeyeaters versus adult body weight showed that Ma’oma’o remain in the nest for a longer period than expected for their body size. The post-fledging dependency period of 2.5–3 months was also extended compared to other honeyeater species. No Ma’oma’o were observed re-nesting after successfully raising a chick, though pairs attempted to re-nest following breeding failure. Despite the extended breeding season, the maximum annual reproductive capacity of Ma’oma’o is limited by their one-egg clutch and failure to nest again after fledging one chick. We discuss how these slow life history traits can influence conservation strategies, affect monitoring and limit recovery.

Assessing the impacts of invasive predators on the demography and distribution of native species is critical for understanding mechanisms of species persistence and informing the design of recovery programmes. On the oceanic island of Guam, the introduction of the predatory brown treesnake Boiga irregularis after World War II caused the near-total loss of the native forest avifauna. Localised snake control measures have been implemented since the early 1990s, yet it remains poorly understood how they have impacted Guam’s remaining native bird populations. To address this question, we combined intensive area searches of Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) with island-wide transect surveys and opportunistic sightings to provide a comprehensive update on the distribution and abundance of Såli (Micronesian Starling, Aplonis opaca) – one of Guam’s last extant native bird species. Area searches of AAFB, where the largest remnant of the Såli population persists, revealed a 15-fold population increase since the last survey in the early 1990s, and transect surveys and opportunistic sightings indicate incipient recolonisation of other urbanised areas of northern and central Guam. We estimate the current island-wide population size at ~1,400 individuals. The population increase can likely be attributed to a combination of snake control measures and the Såli’s ability to exploit urban refugia for nesting and roosting. Although these trends demonstrate some population recovery, a skewed age ratio (>90% adults and subadults) at AAFB and a highly urbanised distribution and low abundance outside AAFB indicate that snake predation continues to strongly impact the population. More intensive snake suppression efforts, particularly in forested areas, may allow for the Såli population to attain its former distribution and abundance on Guam. More broadly, our findings reinforce the importance of urban areas as refugia for some threatened species.

The breeding activity of birds in the Oku region of Cameroon appears to be highly seasonal, with the majority of species breeding exclusively during the months of the dry season, November to April. Forest fires, which in the dry season often destroy large areas of suitable habitat, are likely to strongly influence nest failures in many species, including some endemic and endangered ones.

The Fennoscandian population of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (LWfG) is on the verge of extinction and migrates from northern Fennoscandia to Greece on a regular seasonal basis. For the first time, diet selection was investigated during two years at Kerkini Lake, a wintering site in Greece. The relative use of LWfG’s feeding habitats was systematically recorded by visual observations of the LWfG flocks. Food availability was measured by the relative cover of available vegetation types while the diet composition was determined by the microhistological analysis of droppings. In addition, we determined crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin content of the most preferred plant species by LWfG and all vegetation categories that contributed to LWfG diet in the middle of the duration of their stay at Kerkini Lake and after their departure from the lake. LWfG feeding habitat was exclusively marshy grassland in water less than 5 cm deep up to 300–400 m away from the shore. LWfG selected a diverse number of plant species (33), however, grass made up the 58% of their diets. The most preferred plant species were Echinochloa crus-galli, Cyperus esculentus, Scirpus lacustris and Ranunculus sceleratus. LWfG departed from Kerkini Lake in mid-December to the Evros Delta (Thrace, eastern Greece), when either food availability falls in very low levels or flooding occurred in their main feeding habitat. Consequently, as long as food and habitat resources are available for LWfG, it is very likely that the birds will winter mainly at Kerkini Lake and not at the Evros Delta, which will contribute to further minimisation of the theoretical risk of accidental shooting of LWfG at the latter wintering habitat. Thus, future conservation actions should primarily focus on the grassland improvement at Kerkini Lake enhancing the availability of food resources for LWfG (mainly grasses) and the protection of the feeding habitat from flooding.

The European Commission’s 1979 Wild Birds Directive bans member states from hunting wild birds during spring, the period during which they are breeding or migrating, as hunting wild birds before they have reproduced is perceived to have a greater effect on bird populations than it would in autumn or winter. Malta is the only European Union member state to allow recreational wild bird hunting in spring, when birds migrate over the country to their European breeding grounds. Malta’s derogation of the European Commission’s ban can only be legally permissible if no alternative solutions to spring hunting exist. Using figures provided by hunters, we show that greater numbers of European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix – the two species for which spring hunting is allowed – are hunted in autumn than in spring. We show that statistics on the number of birds hunted in spring, which hunters are legally obliged to provide to authorities, are under-reported: they are not correlated, at times negatively correlated, with data on the daily influxes of birds, and they spike in the final week of the season, consistent with the hypothesis that hunters under-report to avoid reaching quotas which would result in an early season closure. Finally, while there are wide error margins around the numbers, independent annual estimates of turtle-doves hunted in Malta imply spring hunting is a conservation concern beyond the country itself. Each spring, hunters in Malta kill the equivalent of between 2.4% and 4.4% of Europe’s turtle-dove population and 0.4% and 0.5% of its quail population.

The Red-tailed Newtonia Newtonia fanovanae, previously known from a single specimen from the eastern rainforest of central Madagascar, was rediscovered in October 1989 in the Marosohy Forest in the south-east of the island. In the study area, N. fanovanae occurs in the middle and upper section of the canopy of humid forest between 300 and 1,300 m. Ecological relationships with the other two sympatric Newtonia, amphichroa and brunneicauda, are discussed. The main morphological differences between fanovanae and the other two sympatric species are that the former has relatively long wings and short tarsi. The song of fanovanae is described and compared to other members of the genus. Our observations on the morphology, behaviour and vocalisations of N. fanovanae confirm its validity as a species.

Le Newtonie à queue rouge Newtonia fanovanae jusqu'à presént uniquement connu d'un seul spécimen provenant de la partie orientale de la forêt tropicale du Madagascar central, fût redécouvert en octobre 1989 dans la forêt de Marosohy au sud-est de l'île. N. fanovanae fût rencontré dans les parties moyennes et supérieures du feuillage de la forêt humide entre 300 et 1,300 m d'altitude. Les relations écologiques avec les deux espèces sympatriques de Newtonia, amphichroa et brunneicauda sont discutées. Les différences morphologiques principales entre fanovanae et les deux espéces sympatriques sont que celle-ci a des ailes relativement longues et des tarses courts. Le chant de fanovanae est decrit et comparé avec celui d'autres membres du genre. Nos observations sur la morphologie, le comportement et les vocalizations de N. fanovanae confirment sa validité comme bonne espéce.

Release into the wild is the preferred outcome for rehabilitated animals, but often little is known about what happens to individuals following their release. Increased knowledge of post-release survival and reintegration into the wild could improve release and rehabilitation strategies. To assess the survival and reintegration of rehabilitated Endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos Zanda latirostris into wild flocks we studied the movements and behaviour of 23 birds fitted with satellite tracking devices. We assessed longer term survival by collating records of leg-banded birds over eight years. Rehabilitated birds had an estimated annual survival rate of 0.73. The band recovery rate for all rehabilitated Carnaby’s Cockatoos banded between 2005 and 2013 was not significantly different to those fitted with tracking devices (10.3% versus 13.0% respectively, P = 1). Physical, social and behavioural indicators of fitness were used to assess the success of the reintegration of rehabilitated birds. Released birds flew, roosted and foraged with wild birds. Whilst pair bond formation and breeding of study birds could not be confirmed during this study, behaviours associated with pair bonding were observed, including allo-preening and male courtship displays. The rehabilitation process and pre-release procedure for identifying individuals ready for release was effective at selecting suitable release candidates.

The Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi is endemic to Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides). On the volcanic island of Ambrym it exhibited three different incubation strategies. It incubated its eggs (1) in burrows between decaying roots of trees; (2) in burrows at large communal nesting grounds in volcanically heated soils; and (3) in burrows on sun-exposed beaches. No mounds were found. In a study by the Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative (VPAI) nesting grounds were mapped to monitor the population. Three communal nesting grounds were surveyed. Two were on promontories and one on a beach. The burrows were classified into three categories: active, probably active and old. The density of active burrows per hectare of the three sites was 82.4 for Promontory A, 43.5 for Promontory B and 10.5 for Buwoma Beach. Additional information of this poorly known species was collected from villagers in the north-west and west of the island. They have noticed a decrease in the numbers of birds and have expressed concern about the future of the species.

Le Mègapode de Vanuatu, Mègapodius layardi, est uniquement originaire de Vanuatu, (dit 'Nouvelles Hebrides' autrefois). Sur l'île volcanique d'Ambrym, il fait preuve de trois stratégies d'incubation différentes. II couve ses oeufs premièrement dans des terriers situés entre les racines pourries des arbres, duexièmement dans des terriers situés dans des grands terrains communaux de nids, et troisièmement dans des terriers situés sur des plages exposées au soleil. Aucan monticule n'est évident. Lors d'une étude par l'lnitiative des Terrains Protégés de Vanuatu (Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative, VPAI), les terrains de nids furent plannifiés afin d'étudier la population. Trois terrains communaux de nids furent enquêtés. Les terriers furent classifiés en trois catégories; actifs, probablement actifs, et anciens. La densité des terriers actifs par hectare des trois terrains étaient de 82.4 pour le Cap A, 43.5 pour le Cap B, et de 10.5 pour la plage de Buwoma. Des données additionelles pur cet espèce peu connu furent rassemblées des villageois dand le nord ouest et l'ouest de Iîle. Ils ont constaté une diminuation des nombres d'oiseaux et ils ont exprimé leurs soucis vis-à-vis le future de l'espèce.

Wan pijin, nem blong hem Namalau, Megapodius layardi, i stap long Vanuatu nomo (bifo, New Hebrides i nem blong Vanuatu). Long Ambrym, wan aelan wetem volkeno, Namalau i yusum trifala defren fasin long makem nes blong hem so heg blong hem i stap gud nomo; 1) ol i putum heg blong hem nekis rus bio tri wea ol rus i rotin 2) ol i putum heg blong hem wetem plenti narafala Namalau heg long graon wea volkeno i mekem groan i hot, 3) ol i putum heg blong hem insead sanbij wea san i makem i hot. Long Ambrym ol man i no fanem ples wea Namalau putum heg blong hem insaed wanples wea i gat plenti lif mo tri antap graon. Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative (VPAI) i mekem wan stadi long ples wea ol Namalau i putum heg mo ol i mekem wan map. VPAI i lukum long trifala ples wea Namalau i putum heg. Tufala ples i stap long graon wea i go aot long solwota mo namba tri ples i stap long wan sanbij. I gat trifala defren grup blong ples wea ol i putum heg; niufala, klosap niufala mo olfala. Namba blong nuifala ples wea Namalau i putum heg insaed long wan hectare i 82.4 long pies A, 43.5 long ples B mo 10.5 long Buwoma sanbij. I no gat plenti save blong Namalau mo VPAI toktok plenti wetem ol man blong vilej long notwes mo wes Ambrym. Ol man is e namba blong Namalau i go daon bigwan mo ol i wari long fiuja long Namalau.

Species on oceanic islands are more likely to be endemic as well as more extinction-prone than those on continents. The Galápagos Rail Laterallus spilonotus, endemic to the Galápagos Archipelago, is presently known to occur on just four of its seven previously occupied islands and is facing multiple threats to its persistence. In this study, we compared the rail’s occurrence and abundance at 193 survey points between 2000 and 2007 on Santa Cruz Island and examined the influence of an invasion of the habitat of the species by the exotic Red-barked Quinine Tree Cinchona pubescens. We detected a 13% reduction in rail occurrence and a 31% reduction in abundance between 2000 and 2007. Rail abundance declined more in low elevation areas (< 719 m) and outside of Cinchona pubescens removal areas but not in areas where Cinchona pubescens was removed. Insofar as Galápagos Rails responded positively to management actions that promote and maintain native vegetation, we conclude that restoration projects that restore native vegetation communities benefit this apparently declining endemic bird for which more focused conservation attention is warranted.

The Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana is a vulnerable species that breeds on Trindade Island, 1,100 km away from the Brazilian coast, and on Round Island in the Indian Ocean. Recent population estimates for Trindade Island by nest counts in accessible areas, and extrapolated to the whole island provided a figure of 1,130 breeding pairs. Using topographic variables and Predictive Nest Habitat Modelling from known breeding sites, we estimated the potential area of nesting and estimated the size of the breeding population. Nests were associated with low to intermediate elevations in areas of steep slopes and high runoff, which limited the distribution of potential breeding sites to the edges of the Island. By extrapolating the density of nests in the known breeding sites to the overall potential breeding area, we estimated 1,228 nests. We discuss the potential implications of our findings in relation to the population status based on the scenario of intense habitat modification of the island over the few last centuries. This species may have suffered declines due to habitat alteration by human activities and introduction of exotic species. Furthermore, we generate an overview of potential areas for nesting and establish relationships with habitats that may be useful for the conservation of the Trindade Petrel, and restoration actions for Trindade Island in the future.

Distribution and habitat description of the endangered Junín Rail Laterallus tuerosi were assessed during a field study between 6 and 20 February 2014 in the marshes surrounding Lake Junín in the high Andes of Peru, which is the only known locality for the species. By using point counts and playback, we found the species to be present in the marshland all around the lake, with preference for two clearly defined habitat types: one comprising extensively grazed tussocks of Festuca dolichophylla and the other of rather uniform stands of Juncus balticus with undergrowth, or smaller open spaces, with various low herbs. We estimate the suitable habitat of the species to be a minimum of 100 km2 and based upon our point count data we provide indicative population figures of 6,200 individuals, which is higher than previous estimates. No records were obtained without playback, although five minutes of silent listening prior to playback were used at each point. All records were in vegetation of at least 0.5 m tall and in the marshy edge on muddy ground with less than 20 cm of water depth. Grazing especially by sheep or cattle is a serious threat to the marsh vegetation structure essential for Junín Rail and the rail is also under pressure from fluctuations in water levels accentuated by regulation for hydroelectric power.

In 2001 the abundance of Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona oratrix “guatemalensis” at a roost site in Punta de Manabique, Guatemala was found to be 70 individuals. A comparison with a roost census in 1994 suggested a population decline. The largest threat to this form of Yellow-headed Parrot is nest-robbing for the pet trade. The rate of decline and the limited number of individuals living in the wild suggest the population is facing extinction. The core zone of reproduction is located in a palm savanna. Information on feather patterns of the head of this form of A. oratrix is provided.

Understanding the habitat needs of White Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon and Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus is important for their conservation. We carried out field surveys of the two pheasants around Zhujie Monastery, Daocheng County, Sichuan Province, China, using line transects. In total, 172 200 × 200 m grid squares were obtained, including 56 active and 116 inactive ones for White Eared-pheasant and 45 active and 127 inactive ones for Blood Pheasant. We analysed the occurrence of both species by logistic multiple regression. The most important variables in model 1 for White Eared-pheasant were distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, tree cover, tree height and herb cover. In model 2 for Blood Pheasant, distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, herb cover and herb height were most important. The occurrence of both pheasants was negatively related to distance to nearest permanent water and herb cover, and positively related to shrub cover. The occurrence of White Eared-pheasant was positively related to tree cover and tree height, and that of Blood Pheasant to herb height. Water, food and predation risk were the main ecological factors affecting the species' distribution. Based on the two predictive models, conservation management was proposed, to include management of selectively-logged areas and substituting other energy sources, such as electricity, for firewood.

The Red-tailed Newtonia Newtonia fanovanae, known from two sites in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, was found in the Réserve Spéciale d'Ambatovaky in February 1990, when two observations of birds in mixed-species flocks were made in primary lowland forest at 650-700 m. Such habitat may be rare in reserves, recent fieldwork having concentrated on higher-altitude sites. Ambatovaky's faunal richness as a lowland site is emphasised. Some differences in descriptions of the Red-tailed Newtonia exist.

Le Newtonie à queue rouge Newtonia fanovanae, antérieurement connu de deux sites dans les forêts tropicales orientales du Madagascar, fût trouvé dans la Réserve Spéciale d'Ambatovaky en février 1990, où deux individus fûrent observés parmi des bandes plurispécifiques d'oiseaux à I'intérieur d'une excellente forêt de plainé à 650-700 m d'altitude. II se peut qu'un tel habitat soit rarement trouvé à I'intérieur de réserves, car les investigations de terrain fûrent récemment concentrées sur des sites en plus haut altitude. La richesse faunistique du site de plaine d'Ambatovaky est mise en évidence. II existe des différences de descriptions du Newtonie à queue rouge.

Vultures are among the most threatened bird guilds on the planet and have a unique functional role within ecosystems. They are therefore subject to increasing research interest, calling for standardised study approaches and monitoring methods. The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) is rapidly gaining popularity in ecological research due to technological advances, affordability, and accessibility. This study reviews the existing peer-reviewed publications and grey literature on the responses of European vultures and other comparable species to UASs, and summarises the types of UAS use, their potential disturbance effects on vultures, and the resulting inter- and intra-specific interactions. Our goal was to assess the potential effects of UASs and to provide practical recommendations to optimise their safe use in vulture conservation and research. We acknowledge the potential of UASs to increase research efficiency and reduce research effort, time, and financial cost. Owing to the absence of sufficient data on long-term disturbance effects, we advocate the precautionary principle and offer a set of species-tailored practical recommendations to limit the potential negative effects of UASs and maximise their value in conservation management. We urge that the physiological and long-term impacts on vulture reproduction are considered and call for standardised monitoring protocols and controls on UAS use. Our conclusions and recommendations are particularly aimed at researchers working on vulture conservation and restoration projects worldwide.

During 1942–1983, the average survival rate of Ospreys in Sweden (as derived from ringing data) was 53% during the first year, and for older birds it varied between 72% and 86% (below the level recorded in North America). The annual survival rate decreased significantly among young birds (1st-3rd years of life) but not among older age classes. A weak relationship between annual survival and rainfall in wintering areas in West Africa may exist for some year-classes.

Breeding success was 2.1 young per successful breeding attempt over the period 1961-1987, which is lower than during 1938-1946. The long-term annual growth rate of the population declined from 7% around 1940 to 5% around 1990.

A local decline in breeding success occurred during the 1960s and 1970s in areas heavily affected by acid precipitation in south-west Sweden, but this trend halted during the 1980s as liming programmes restored the fish stocks in acidified lakes. There was a significant relationship between lake productivity, measured as concentrations of total phosphorus, and breeding success: at 16 lakes breeding success ranged between 1.6 and 2.3 young per nest per year, and at the most oligotrophic lakes breeding success was close to the minimum required to balance mortality.

The Swedish population of the Osprey is not in acute danger, but the decline in the potential for population growth should be noted.

We report the rediscovery of the Cherry-throated Tanager Nemosia rourei in southern Espírito Santo, Brazil, in February 1998, and the first substantive observations of its behaviour, vocalizations and other aspects of its natural history. Approximately 10 individuals, occasionally in groups of up to five birds, were located in humid montane forest at 1,100 m a.s.l. at the privately owned “Fazenda Pindobas IV” (20°19′S, 41°17′W). This small population appears to be safe, as the property owners are preserving the remaining native forest there, and hope soon to register the land as a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN). The species probably also occurs at similar elevations on neighbouring fazendas. Past reports of the species are reviewed, and the accuracy of the type locality, “Muriaé, Minas Gerais” is re-evaluated. As a result, we suggest that our locality of rediscovery, Jatibocas, where Helmut Sick surely saw a group of eight birds in August 1941, and the Nova Lombardia (= Augusto Ruschi) Biological Reserve, where a single individual was certainly sighted by Derek Scott and others in October 1995, all in south-central Espírito Santo, be considered the only confirmed points of occurrence of the Cherry-throated Tanager.