A survey in December/January 1989/1990 revealed that an estimated 274 Rapa Fruit-doves Ptilinopus huttoni remain in Rapa's last (and fragmented) 292 ha of forest. This suggests no serious decline since 1974, but the forests continue to be degraded and cleared, and action to preserve key sites is urgently needed.

Un recensement en décembre/janvier 1989/1990 montra qu'un nombre estimé de 274 Ptilopes de Hutton Ptilinopus huttoni survivent dans les derniers 292 ha de forêt fragmen-tee sur l'île de Rapa. Ceci ne suggére aucun déclin important depuis 1974, mais les forêts continuent à être dégradées et coupées, ainsi il devient urgent d'entreprendre des actions pour le sauvegarde des sites clés.

The Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi has a very small total population size (< 190 individuals) and faces multiple threats. Over eight weeks in 2012 at the Mount Hartman Estate, we investigated the dove’s habitat selection, established a mongoose index of occupancy and recorded dove use of water sources to help determine key research and conservation needs. Of 12 habitat variables measured, greater levels of canopy cover were the best predictor of dove presence. Tracking tunnels indicated that introduced small Indian mongooses Herpestes auropunctatus, widely known for negatively impacting Caribbean bird populations, have a high level of occupancy in dove habitat, providing baseline mongoose data. Trail cameras revealed that Grenada Doves make good use of water from man-made wells and mongooses scent-mark tunnels. We urge fuller habitat selection studies and water-provision experiments to validate this evidence; strong and immediate control of mongooses and other potential predators, particularly at the nest; and a census backed by a banding programme to establish a monitoring baseline to guide conservation actions.

Ornithological surveys were conducted in Tanzanian submontane forest at Nilo Forest Reserve in the East Usambaras and Nguu North Forest Reserve in the Nguu Mountains in July-September 1995. Information on the ecology of poorly known bird species of conservation interest was collected and combined with previously published information to assess their conservation status. Sixteen species of conservation interest were recorded during fieldwork, including five Vulnerable (Usambara Eagle Owl Bubo vosseleri, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, Amani Sunbird Anthreptes pallidigaster, Banded Green Sunbird Anthreptes rubritorques and Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli); three Near-threatened (Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus, Fischer's Turaco Tauraco fischeri and Moreau's Sunbird Nectarinia moreaui); one regionally Endangered (Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis); one regionally Vulnerable (Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes neglectus), two regionally Near-threatened (Lemon Dove Aplopelia lavata and Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus barratti); and 10 in total as restricted-range species (Fischer's Turaco, Usambara Eagle Owl, Sharpe's Akalat Sheppardia sharpei, Red-capped Forest Warbler Orthotomus metopias, Spot-throat Modulatrix stictigula, Amani Sunbird, Banded Green Sunbird, Moreau's Sunbird, Kenrick's Starling Poeoptera kenricki and Usambara Weaver). New information on the ecology of these species is presented in this paper. It is recommended that the conservation status of East Coast Akalat and Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird be changed to globally Near-threatened and regionally Near-threatened, respectively. Should further work confirm that the Usambara race of Southern Hyliota deserves specific status it is strongly recommended that it be considered globally Endangered. All other species recorded should retain their current status and continue to be monitored. The Nguus represented a new locality for several species. Sharpe's Akalat, Spot-throat, Red-Capped Forest Warbler, otherwise widely distributed throughout the east Tanzania, were absent from the Nguus.

We present results on breeding parameters, nesting performance and nest habitat selection of the globally threatened Great Bustard Otis tarda, gathered during a 3-year study in Castro Verde (southern Portugal). A total of 107 nests were located. The estimated average onset of laying was 22 April (SD = 12 days, n = 8). The incubation period ranged from 25 March to 15 June. Nearly 95% of females incubated between 1 April and 31 May. Mean clutch size was 2.12 (SD = 0.69, n = 86), showing no significant inter-annual differences. There was no significant relationship between clutch size and average nest finding date, although, on average, nests were found later each year. Hatching occurred between 21 April and 26 June. The estimated proportion of eggs hatched per nest (hatching percentage) was 87.5% in 2002 (n = 8), 64.0% in 2003 (n = 33) and 75.8% in 2004 (n = 33). Overall nesting success for the three years was 71% (n = 107). The main causes of nesting failure were agricultural activities, mainly ploughing and harvesting, followed by corvid predation. Nests were spatially aggregated up to 800–1,500 m. At larger scales, the spatial distribution of nests can be considered random or uniform. Females showed a clear preference for nesting in cereal fields, followed by young fallows, old fallows, ploughed fields and then other habitats, although the intensity of selection of particular habitats varied between years. Nests were associated with both cereals and fallows, thus aggregating where those habitat types occurred within the study area. These results provide the first complete description of the nesting process in a Great Bustard population, as well as important cues to the assessment of conservation measures implemented in Castro Verde, an area holding around 80% of the Portuguese population of this species (application of EU agri-environmental schemes, power line signalling, water-point provision in dry years).

Understanding connectivity between migratory bird breeding and wintering grounds is essential for range-wide planning of conservation activities. We used GPS tracking to explore the migration of 28 ‘Endangered’ Greater Spotted Eagles, Clanga clanga from three remaining European breeding populations towards their wintering range, and to identify population and sex-specific patterns in selection of wintering sites. The tracked eagles wintered in three continents, 46% in Africa (mostly Eastern Sahel), 43% across southern Europe (mostly Greece) and 11% in Asia (the Middle East). Migratory connectivity was weak (rM = 0.16), and the population spread across the wintering range was large (1,917 km). The three studied populations differed in their migration strategy, with northerly, Estonian breeders all wintering in Southern Europe, and Polish and Belarusian breeders divided between Southern Europe and Africa. Migration strategy was different between Belarusian males and females, with males more likely to winter in Africa than Europe, and on average, migrating 2,500 km further south than females. Migration to Africa took longer, but was partly compensated by higher migration speeds. Greater Spotted Eagles wintered in wetland sites throughout their wintering range, with 15 of 29 birds wintering in internationally or nationally protected sites (including 12 Ramsar sites). Nearly a third of European winterers stayed in the same Greek national park, perhaps indicating a limitation of suitable sites in Europe due to wetland loss or degradation. This highlights the importance of protected wetlands to this species, but also shows their vulnerability to future wetland degradation. Only two of 14 wintering sites in Africa were under protection, showing a potential mismatch between protection of females and males in their wintering grounds.

The original 24,900 km2 distribution of the Cauca Guan Penelope perspicax is currently reduced to less than 750 km2. In addition, forest within this range is fragmented and populations are isolated. We conducted surveys to determine the presence of the Cauca Guan at several locations within its present range, and mapped all known localities with guan records. Cauca Guan populations are confirmed to occur at only four sites, and the guan is absent from several localities with historic records. Some sites where the Cauca Guan is potentially present are highlighted. In particular, the possible existence of populations on the Pacific slope of the Andes requires confirmation, since a large habitat block is available. Population density estimates were obtained in two protected areas. In Yotoco Forest Reserve (559 ha) we estimated 8.6 guans km−2. At Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (489 ha), guans fed seasonally on leaves of Chinese ash Fraxinus chinensis, an exotic tree planted in a revegetation programme. Seasonal densities in ash plantations were over 100 guans km−2, whereas in mixed forest, mean density was 41.6 birds km−2. Ash has apparently become a key resource for this population. Although these two populations are within protected areas and have relatively high densities, they are small and isolated and require continued monitoring.

From mid-August to late October 1988, Marojejy Strict Nature Reserve, in the northern part of Madagascar's rainforest, was surveyed for birds. The reserve extends from 75 to 2,133 m altitude and the 60,150 ha comprise an almost intact series of altitudinal forest zones. Observations were made in all forest zones and at all altitudes of the reserve and the total of 104 species found included almost all Madagascan rainforest birds, making Marojejy one of the most important sites for bird conservation in Madagascar. The status of the eight threatened, 10 near-threatened and two restricted-range species observed is detailed here, together with notes on their ecology and behaviour. Finds of major conservation interest included the first documented sighting of Madagascar Serpent-eagle Eutriorchis astur since 1930, a healthy population of Henst's Goshawk Accipiter henstü, all four rainforest ground-rollers Brachypteracüdae and a new population of Yellow-bellied Sunbird-asity Neodrepanis hypoxantha. Furthermore, the patchy distribution of Helmetbird Euryceros prevostü urges reconsideration of its current assessment as not at risk. Four threatened species (Rufous-headed Ground-roller Atelornis crossleyi, Yellow-bellied Sun-bird-asity, Grey-crowned Greenbul Phyllastrephus cinereiceps and Madagascar Yellowbrow Crossleyia xanthophrys) were found only in the upper montane forests; this apparent altitudinal preference for three of these species had not been suggested before this survey. The major threat to the birds of Marojejy is the ceaseless piecemeal clearance of the reserve's forest, which is proceeding inwards from the boundary.

De la mi-aout a la fin octobre 1988, une etude sur les oiseaux a été menee dans la Reserve Naturelle Integrate de Marojejy, situee dans le nord de la foret equatoriale de Madagascar. La reserve s'etend sur une altitude allant de 75 a 2,133 metres et sa superficie de 60,150 ha abrite une serie de forets d'altitude restees pratiquement intactes. Des observations ont 6te faites dans toutes les zones foresrieres et a toutes les altitudes de cette reserve et les 104 especes d'oiseaux trouvees incluaient presque toutes les especes d'oiseaux de la foret tropicale de Madagascar, la reserve de Marojejy representant ainsi l'un des sites de conservation des oiseaux les plus importants de Madagascar. La situation des huit especes menacees, dix especes presque menacees et deux especes a distribution geographique limitee, observees au cours de l'etude, est decrite ici en detail, avec des notes sur leur ecologie et leur comportement.

Parmi les decouvertes particulierement interessantes pour la conservation, nous pouvons citer la premiere observation documented de l'aigle-autour Eutriorchis astur depuis 1930, une population bien developpee de Accipiter henstü, l'ensemble des quatre types forestieres de Brachypteracüdae et une nouvelle population de Neodrepanis hypoxan-tha. De plus, la repartition geographique inegale de YEuryceros prevostü exige une reconsideration urgente de son evaluation actuelle en tant qu'espece sans risque. Quatre especes menacees (Atelornis crossleyi, Neodrepanis hypoxantha, Phyllastrephus cinereiceps et Crossleyia xanthophrys) n'ont été trouvees que dans les forets de haute altitude: l'apparente preference de ces trois especes pour les hautes altitudes n'avait pas été suggeree avant cette etude. La principale menace pour les oiseaux de Marojejy est le defrichage incessant de la foret de la reserve, cette destruction s'etendant progressive-ment de l'exterieur vers l'interieur de la foret.

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.

The concealed and widely dispersed nests of the rare and endangered Yellow-eyed Penguin Megadyptes antipodes, or “hoiho”, have been considered to reflect an essential requirement for the visual isolation of nest sites from conspecifics. However, this may be a consequence of selection for habitat features that provide protection from insolation, thereby minimising the risk of heat stress. To help improve the understanding of hoiho nesting requirements and the effectiveness of habitat restoration, we aimed to determine whether visual isolation from conspecifics or protection from insolation is the primary driver of hoiho nest site selection. We compared the mean maximum distance of visibility and the mean percentage insolation cover of active nests with randomly sampled unused sites in flax Phormium tenax and Hebe elliptica coastal scrub at Boulder Beach, and in coastal forest at Hinahina Cove, New Zealand, 2006–2007. Results of univariate tests and the evaluation of logistic regression models suggested that the amount of insolation cover was more important than visibility for hoiho nest site selection, particularly in flax and scrub. In addition, Spearman's correlations indicated that decreasing insolation cover significantly increased the visibility of nests in the forest habitat, and had a similar effect on inter-nest distance in flax. We infer that hoiho nest site selection and distribution are influenced primarily by the location and density of micro-habitat features (particularly within 1 m of the ground) that provide optimal protection from insolation, possibly along with other important features such as a firm backing structure. Strong selection for these features results in the typical but non-essential visual isolation of nest sites from conspecifics. Restoration of nesting habitats with a relatively high density and diversity of vegetation and solid structures within 1 m of the ground may eventually provide an optimal availability and quality of suitable nest sites.

Raccoons Procyon lotor were introduced into the Haida Gwaii archipelago of British Columbia in the 1940s and have spread throughout the islands. Although feeding mainly on inter-tidal invertebrates, they also take seabirds. Haida Gwaii supports internationally important populations of several species of burrow-nesting auks. In 1993, we visited several islands to determine the current status of their seabird populations. We found extensive signs of predation on auks by raccoons, including burrows that had been excavated and carcasses from which little had been eaten, suggesting excess killing. On islands with raccoons, numbers of burrow nesting auks had fallen by as much as 80% since 1986, whereas on islands without raccoons numbers had remained stable or increased. The evidence obtained suggests that burrow nesting auks will not coexist with raccoons and that once raccoons are established the auk populations will be rapidly extirpated.

Endemic species and those with restricted distribution ranges are a priority and national responsibility for global conservation. Fuertes’s Oriole Icterus fuertesi is a Mexican endemic species and is perhaps one of the least known birds in the country. It has traditionally been regarded as conspecific with the Orchard Oriole I. spurius, but recently it has been suggested that it is a distinct species, causing concern about its risk status. There is a scarcity of information related to the geographic and seasonal distribution of Fuertes’s Oriole, as well as a lack of information regarding its abundance and habitat preferences. We gathered all the available records, and used ecological niche modelling to analyse the spatial and temporal patterns of the distribution of the species. We also carried out field surveys in the surroundings of known locations of the species in order to determine its abundance. We found that the species is narrowly and locally restricted to the surroundings of eight localities along the Gulf coast of Mexico that constitute small and discontinuous areas of presence. We also found no evidence of migration to the Pacific Coast in winter, as has been historically thought. Instead, our results suggest that the species exhibits a short-distance migration, with northern populations migrating to the southern range along the Gulf coast of Mexico. Analysis of abundance and field observations confirm that the species is restricted to highly modified wetland landscapes associated with urban and semi-urban habitats. Based on these results, we suggest the urgent reassignment of its risk category.

Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps is the smallest of the five South American sheldgeese and has two separate populations: one sedentary, which resides in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands and one migratory that overwinters mainly in the Pampas region, Argentina and breeds in Southern Patagonia. The Ruddy-headed Goose’s continental population has decreased considerably, and recent estimates indicated that the population size is less than 800 individuals. In Argentina and Chile, this population is categorised as endangered. Understanding migration across vast landscapes is essential for the identification of factors affecting the survival of this endangered population and for the application of effective conservation measures. We aim to provide the first documentation of the complete migration cycle of Ruddy-headed Goose, and to analyse their annual migration in detail, including identification of stop-over, breeding and wintering sites, and to compare migration timing during spring and autumn migration. Adults were captured in the southern Pampas and equipped with solar satellite transmitters in 2015 and 2016. We analysed the influence of season (spring vs autumn migration) on the number and duration of stop-overs, distance travelled and overall migration speed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Our results showed that tracked geese used the eastern Patagonian route to reach their breeding grounds and take the same route after breeding. Spring migration was significantly faster than autumn migration, at least based on the number of days spent in their stop-overs. Stop-overs were closer to the final destination, either during spring and autumn migrations, though some of them were not used during subsequent migrations. Our migration cartography for Ruddy-headed Geese, together with the timing and location data, should be used to improve conservation efforts directed at this species and might contribute to the modification of the current status of ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN criteria.

The Beck’s Petrel Pseudobulweria beckii is a ‘Critically Endangered’ seabird whose breeding sites remain unknown. Historic observations suggest the species’ distribution is concentrated in the Bismarck Archipelago and particularly southern New Ireland. Over the course of two research expeditions in 2016 and 2017 we used on-land and at-sea observations, local interviews and satellite telemetry to understand the distribution of the species, its at-sea movements and potential breeding locations. Land-based and at-sea observations indicated that the area of Silur Bay in southern New Ireland was a significant site for Beck’s Petrel with numbers of birds increasing near shore prior to dusk and birds observed in spotlights over land. A local population is estimated to be in the low thousands. In 2017 a single Beck’s was captured at sea, fitted with a satellite transmitter and tracked for eight months. This bird maintained a core distribution off the south-east coast of New Ireland and north of Bougainville for 122 days. During the tracking period, the bird was located over land at night seven times; predominantly over southern New Ireland, where the signal was also lost for extended periods suggesting occupancy of an underground burrow. In August the bird migrated 1,400 km to a core pelagic habitat north of West Papua before the signal was eventually lost. Our combination of land- and sea-based observations and analysis of behaviour from satellite tracking supports the conclusion that a breeding site for Beck’s Petrel lies in the inland mountains of southern New Ireland and most likely in the high-altitude zone (> 2000 m) of the Hans Meyer Range. Further investigations are required to determine the exact location of breeding colonies in the mountains of southern New Ireland and the importance of a potential west Papuan non-breeding pelagic habitat for the species.

Galliformes are one of the most threatened groups of birds in South-East Asia, with 27% of the species threatened with extinction. Long term population viability and extinction probability studies, at different levels of threat and management, are lacking due to weak life history data. This study aimed to define the long-term viability and extinction risk of two populations of the endangered Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, facing different threat and protection levels, using Bayesian Population Viability Analysis (BPVA), which requires less data than traditional methods. The results showed an increasing trend in the Green Peafowl population in HuaiKhaKhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (western Thailand), with a high protection level and low disturbance and high probability of assuring persistence for the next 100 years. By contrast, the population in YokDon National Park (south-central Vietnam), with a high habitat disturbance level and significant hunting pressure, is predicted to decline and has a high probability (99%) of extinction by 2097. Also, the BPVA showed minimum viable population (MVP) estimates of 250 and 450 calling males for the HuaiKhaKhaeng and YokDon populations respectively, assuring high probabilities of long-term persistence if the minimum numbers of males are available. The population size of 219 calling males at YokDon during the 2013 survey is lower than the MVP threshold of 450 calling males, which suggests the species has a low probability of long-term persistence in the area. Despite limited life history and population data, BPVA predicted the future of this population under site-specific conditions, and the results could be used to promote better management and population restoration.

In order to determine whether Aratinga erythrogenys and Brotogeris pyrrhopterus can formally classified as globally threatened species, their distribution, population sizes and ecological requirements are reviewed, together with national and international trade data from the last decade. The study concludes that, on current data, it is not possible to classify the two species formally, but there are strong indications that, at least locally, the populations of the two species are in decline. The causal factors appear to be a combination of high trade levels and habitat loss. It is essential that trade moratoria are implemented, pending the outcome of further research into the species' population sizes, ecology and breeding success, and further work to determine the extent of trade. Interim recommendations are given and it is proposed that future exploitation of the species should continue only when it has been determined that it has a sustainable basis.

Habitat selection has fundamental implications for species conservation, and in birds is often regarded as a multi-scale process. We investigated (under an information-theoretic approach) habitat selection by Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator in Italy (one of the most severely declining species in central and western Europe), considering five main types of potential determinants of shrike occurrence at the territory scale (1 ha): general structure (coarse landscape), woody vegetation, grassland habitats/bare ground, herbaceous crops, and management variables. The best supported models for species occurrence were those including general structure and woody vegetation traits. Variation partitioning suggested that overall, landscape general structure and woody vegetation explained the highest variation in shrike occurrence, and management the lowest. However, considering variation explained by only a single level, all levels performed nearly equally, but general structure did not explain an exclusive proportion of variation. A multi-level analysis suggested that shrike occurrence was eventually associated with specific habitat traits: isolated trees, shrubland and (secondarily) olive groves (all with positive effects), and dirt roads (negative effect). The most parsimonious multi-level models included only variables from woody vegetation and management traits, suggesting that the likely true determinants of species occurrence are highly specific and fine-scale habitat traits, consistent with variation partitioning. Woodchat Shrikes inhabit semi-open landscapes, within which they are attracted to shrubland and isolated trees (secondarily to olive groves) and avoid dirt roads. Suitable habitat conditions for the species depend on a trade-off between abandonment and intensive farming, and rural development programmes may be crucial for the conservation (or loss) of such conditions.

The Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi and the Grenada Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus miruts have each apparently declined since initial surveys in 1987. In a midwinter 1989/1990 census I estimated that there were 75-85 Grenada Doves, compared with 100 in 1987. The 1989/1990 numbers include two small populations not located in 1987. The main population may have declined by 40-50% since 1987. Half as many Hook-billed Kites were seen in 1989/1990 as in 1987 when I estimated the total population to be 15-30. Although seasonal factors may be responsible for some of the differences, destruction of habitat has led to real declines. Unless the prime habitat is protected, extinction of both birds is likely.

Since 1950, the annual rainfall in the habitat of Black-cheeked Lovebirds Agapornis nigrigenis has decreased, increasing dependence on artificial water supplies. In this study, the seasonal water requirements and drinking behaviour of the lovebirds in their natural habitat were investigated. During the dry season, lovebirds drank at the same water-point in the early morning and late afternoon. Flock sizes of birds at drinking sites ranged from 1 to 175 individuals. Birds from one locale all drank at the same waterhole. Black-cheeked Lovebirds were vigilant and highly cautious drinkers that did not drink at waterholes when disturbed by humans or livestock. The implications for conservation of the species are discussed. Since water availability is a limiting factor for the Black-cheeked Lovebird, gradual desiccation of its habitat has caused the reduction of its small distributional range. Because of increasing dependence on artificial water supplies in a highly localized distribution the priority for conservation management of the species must be creating and maintaining water resources with minimal external disturbance.

The Lake Titicaca Grebe Rollandia microptera is a poorly studied endemic species found in the Lake Titicaca watershed of Peru and Bolivia. Multiple surveys from the early 2000s indicated that the species was suffering a rapid population decline with an unknown cause. At the same time as these surveys, reports emerged that there was an increase in burning of the totora wetlands which are thought to be the primary habitat for the Lake Titicaca Grebe. However, since 2003, no work has been published either on the current population of the Lake Titicaca Grebe, or the extent of the totora wetlands in the Lake Titicaca region. This paper used satellite data to monitor the change in extent of habitat potentially suitable for the Lake Titicaca Grebe to determine whether habitat loss is likely to be a major driver of population declines in this species. We found that the extent of potentially suitable wetland remained stable between 2001 and 2020, though there are more local regional trends of change in extent of totora. We also found that multiple areas exist that might support Lake Titicaca Grebe populations, but where ornithological knowledge is lacking. We suggest no change to the IUCN status of the Lake Titicaca Grebe, but recommend that further fieldwork is required to monitor the species’ current population, especially in previously unstudied but potentially habitable areas.

The Taita Apalis Apalis fuscigularis (IUCN category: Critically Endangered) is a species endemic to south-eastern Kenya. We assessed population size and habitat use in the three forest sites in which it is known to occur (Ngangao, Chawia and Vuria, totalling 257 ha). The estimate of total population size, derived from distance sampling at 412 sample points, ranged from 310 to 654 individuals, with the northern section of Ngangao fragment having 10-fold higher densities than Chawia (2.47–4.93 versus 0.22–0.41 birds ha−1). Ngangao north alone hosted 50% of the global population of the species. The highly degraded Vuria fragment also had moderately high densities (1.63–3.72 birds ha−1) suggesting that the species tolerates some human disturbance. Taita Apalis prefers vegetation with abundant climbers, but the predictive power of habitat use models was low, suggesting that habitat structure is not a primary cause for the low density of the species in Chawia. Protecting the subpopulation in the northern section of Ngangao is a priority, as is identifying factors responsible of the low abundance in Chawia, because ameliorating conditions in this large fragment could substantially increase the population of Taita Apalis.