Laos is an important country for bird conservation. Bird surveys between 1992 and 1996, the first since 1949, covered 20 main areas, with incidental records from many others.

This paper reviews the status of all Lao species reported to be of elevated conservation concern (key species) in any of the following categories: Globally Threatened or Globally Near-Threatened (sensu Collar and Andrew 1988 and Collar et al. 1994), and At Risk or Rare in Thailand (sensu Round 1988 and Treesucon and Round 1990). Several additional species are covered which have clearly undergone a National Historical Decline in Laos. A comprehensive review of other Lao species was not possible, and some species which are in truth of conservation concern have doubtless been overlooked. Historical and modern records were reviewed and population trends identified where possible.

Current global status listings (Collar et al. 1994) were supported, except that consideration should be given to changing Red-collared Woodpecker Picus rabieri and Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti from Threatened to Near-Threatened. If the Lao situation is representative of the species throughout their range, then consideration should also be given to placing Ratchet-tailed Treepie Temnurus temnurus and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii as Near-Threatened.

Twenty-seven Globally Threatened species are known from Laos, of which there are recent records of 22. There are recent unconfirmed records of two more. Forty-seven Globally Near-Threatened species are known from Laos, of which there are recent records of 39; there are unconfirmed records of one further species. Five Globally Threatened and five Near-Threatened species were recorded for the first time in Laos in recent years, suggesting that further species of elevated conservation concern remain to be found.

The Houbara Bustard is a winter visitor to the United Arab Emirates. Monitoring its population over large areas is difficult, due to the low density of the species and the nature of its habitat. We examined the possibility of using a network of desert rangers in the western region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate to monitor the population, timing of occurrence and distribution of Houbara Bustards in two consecutive winters. Houbara Bustards arrived in Abu Dhabi in September and moved inland towards the south of the country. The last birds were seen in March. Numbers ranged from 56 to 112 in 1994/1995 and 117 to 235 in 1995/1996. Houbara sightings were not evenly distributed within the region, with consistently higher numbers in sand-dune areas. This habitat is not optimal for Houbaras, where, in the past, they were less often encountered. The level of disturbance associated with more favourable habitats may be one reason why the birds are moving to more remote and inaccessible places. The use of a network of local rangers proved to be invaluable for gathering information on the low density Houbara population over a large area and was a very efficient way of monitoring the status of this endangered species.

The development of practical approaches to seabird by-catch reduction in longline tuna fisheries is dependent upon knowledge of fishing practices and the cultural and vocational nuances of fishermen. This overview, drawn from information gathered on Japanese tuna vessels in Australian waters, describes the Japanese method of tuna longlining and lists possible reasons for the reluctance shown by tuna fishermen in the adoption of measures to reduce the incidental take of seabirds. While the focus is on Japan there are reasons to believe that tuna fishing for long periods on the high seas is a culture of its own that transcends nationalities. The acceptance of change in fishing cultures, unless imposed by economic necessity or direct government policy, is slow. The overview also makes some suggestions for future efforts to reduce seabird deaths in longline tuna fisheries.

The forests of the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya are of great importance to conservation, holding three endemic birds and many other endemic taxa. We surveyed birds in their remaining forest fragments in July-August 1996, and followed up these surveys with collection of remote sensing imagery of the area, an assessment of museum specimens and a thorough literature review. In this paper we assess the conservation status in the Taita Hills of their 47 species of forest birds. We conclude with general recommendations for the conservation of the area.

IUCN (The World Conservation Union) published its first Action Plan more than a decade ago (Oates 1986). Many taxon-specific Specialist Groups working under the auspices of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) have since produced such documents, some of which are now in their second editions (e.g. Reeves and Leatherwood 1994). As we know only too well ourselves, Action Plans take a great deal of time and effort to compile, but what evidence is there to show that they are effective in achieving their prime objective of increasing the amount and quality of work that gets done to save threatened species from extinction?

The historical distribution of the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis together changes in its breeding and wintering grounds in China are reviewed. According to historical information the bird mainly bred in Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces and wintered at coastal regions near the Yangtze estuary. Due to geographical and anthropological changes, the breeding grounds gradually moved to the west and south while the wintering grounds moved northward. Efforts have been made to protect this endangered species but factors still exist which restrict further development of the population.

The Spectacled Petrel Procellaria [aequinoctialis] conspicillata only breeds at Inaccessible Island, central South Atlantic Ocean. During the early 1980s the population was estimated to be at most 1,000 pairs, but hundreds of Spectacled Petrels have been killed annually in longline fisheries off the east coast of South America since at least 1987. Although the population is characterized by a unique plumage trait, it is still regarded as a subspecies of the White-chinned Petrel P. aequinoctialis. Analysis of calls and playback experiments show that the Spectacled Petrel is vocally distinct from White-chinned Petrels and should be regarded as a valid biological species. It is also slightly smaller and breeds earlier than the White-chinned Petrel. Given its small population size and known mortality on longlines, the Spectacled Petrel is Endangered in terms of IUCN criteria C1 and C2b. Longline fisheries operating off South America should institute measures to reduce seabird by-catch. A survey of the breeding population at Inaccessible Island is required to assess the rate at which the population is decreasing.

The Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata nigrescens is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and is threatened with extinction. It is known from elevations above 600 m and is limited to a few mountain ranges in Peninsular Malaysia. First described in 1902, this subspecies was only known from Gunung Tahan and Gunung Rabung for many years. Recent surveys have added several new sites: Gunung Mandi Angin and Gunung Gagau, Gunung Penumpu and Camp Kor. All known sites are in Taman Negara National Park.

The purpose of this paper is to review the success of different crane conservation techniques in order to determine which combinations of techniques are most promising. Six major crane conservation techniques were defined and a literature review was conducted. A summary of each technique was prepared, including several examples of the technique's use and possible negative effects. All of the evaluated techniques were successful in at least some cases. Habitat and legal protection are general measures that are required for every species regardless of other conservation techniques being used. Artificial feeding is successful in rapidly bolstering some crane populations but may not be desirable as a long-term conservation technique. Powerline modification or removal should be used to preserve all localized or endangered crane populations. The release of captive-reared cranes shows promise as a conservation technique but should only be used as a last resort. Likewise, manipulation of wild crane eggs should only be used when absolutely necessary to establish or bolster captive flocks.

An ornithological survey was conducted in December 1994 at the lower Río Nangaritza valley in southern Ecuador, during which 181 species were recorded. These data combined with published records reveal the number of species known for this area to be 290. Of these, nine species are classified as globally vulnerable: Solitary Eagle Harpyhaliaetus solitarius, White-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura albipectus, Spot-winged Parrotlet Touit stictoptera, Napo Sabrewing Campylopterus villaviscensio, Ecuadorean Piedtail Phlogophilus hemileucurus, Lanceolated Monklet Micromonacha lanceolata, Coppery-chested Jacamar Galbula pastazae, Fiery-throated Fruiteater Pipreola chlorolepidota and Orange-throated Tanager Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron. Of the 290 species listed 115 are currently unrecorded in the adjacent Podocarpus National Park and therefore inhabit no protected area in southern Ecuador. Wildlife of the Nangaritza valley is threatened by gold mining, encroachment and hunting. Given the high avian diversity and the known botanical importance of the area plans to conserve the undisturbed forests of this region as part of a buffer zone for the adjacent Podocarpus National Park are recommended.

Fieldwork on the distribution, habitat preferences and status of birds was conducted in the Bikin River basin, northern Ussuriland, south-east Russia, during May–July 1992,1993,1995,1996 and 1997. The results of this survey combined with data collected during 1960–1990, show the area to be of high conservation priority and one of the most important for the conservation of Blakiston's Fish Owl Ketupa blakistoni, Chinese Merganser Mergus squamatus, Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata and Hooded Crane Grus monacha. This paper reports on all of the 13 threatened and near-threatened breeding species of northern Ussuriland, with special emphasis on their occurrence and status in the Bikin area. Three more species, included in the Red Data Book of Russia, are also briefly discussed. Maps show the distribution of the breeding sites of the species discussed. The establishment of a nature reserve in the lower Bikin area is suggested as the only way to conserve the virgin Manchurian-type habitats (wetlands and forests), and all 10 species of special conservation concern. Monitoring of the local populations of Blakiston's Fish Owl, Chinese Merganser and Mandarin Duck in the middle Bikin is required.

Megapodes: an action plan for their conservation 1995–1999) was published in 1995 by the Species Survival Commission of IUCN – The World Conservation Union. It is the twenty-eighth publication in its Action Plan series and the first for any group of birds. Action Plans published under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission are perceived as a means of making information on the status, threats and action required to safeguard species available to conservation planners and others in a position to take action. They are compiled by the appropriate taxon Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission and their production and implementation is central to the Commission's activities. As well as the megapodes, Action Plans have recently been compiled for the partridges, quails, francolins, snowcocks and guineafowl, and for the pheasants. Stimulating interest in the conservation of these three groups of birds is the responsibility of three Specialist Groups which operate under the joint parentage of the World Pheasant Association, BirdLife International and the Species Survival Commission. The World Pheasant Association is the umbrella organization for five Galliformes Specialist Groups and was the driving force behind the production of these Action Plans, providing the means for the Specialist Groups to compile the information. This paper outlines the scope of these Action Plans and explains how they were compiled in the hope that this may assist the production of Action Plans for other bird groups.

The Green Peafowl has undergone a substantial decline throughout East Asia since the turn of the century and is now reported only from a few widely scattered localities in several countries. Its plight was highlighted in the IUCN Pheasant Action Plan where it was one of the highest priorities for conservation action. Recent surveys have clarified its status and distribution in at least part of several range countries and there is patchy information from elsewhere in its range. The current knowledge of the species was reviewed at a workshop in Malaysia in autumn 1997 at which representatives from most key countries were present. The species is extinct in Peninsular Malaysia, and almost lost from Bangladesh and north-east India. There is one large population remaining in Thailand and the species is thought to be in danger of extinction in Laos. China and Indonesia hold mostly small and scattered populations although the latter does contain two large protected populations. The status in Myanmar and Cambodia is unknown, although the presence of large tracts of apparently suitable habitat in eastern Cambodia suggest that this area may hold the largest populations of the species. Conservation recommendations fall into four categories: a strategic review, assessing status and understanding ecological requirements, investigating the human-Green Peafowl relationship and considering the possibility of reintroducing the species where appropriate.

Based on 21,518 km of road surveys, the Argentinian range of the endangered Saffron-cowled Blackbird Xanthopsar flavus now seems confined to two small and disjunct areas in Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces, north-east Argentina. In Corrientes the species inhabits natural pastures and rice-fields; in Entre Rios agropastoral land. Estimates based on numbers of localities and flock sizes suggest a Saffron-cowled Blackbird population of 500–1,000 individuals. This blackbird is highly gregarious. Mean flock size (n = 30, non-breeding period) was 31.9 birds (range: 6–102), and was significantly larger in Entre Rios. In Corrientes foraging blackbird flocks associated mostly with the Black-and-White Monjita Xolmis dominicana, in Entre Rios with the Brown-and-Yellow Marshbird Pseudoleistes virescens. Nesting in both provinces was colonial, with up to 24 nests in a 0.43 ha plot. Nests were built in native and introduced herbaceous plants. The Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis parasitized 29.2% of the nests in one colony; its eggs and chicks are larger than those of the host. Plausible reasons for the species's extinction or decline at a local level are drainage of wetlands (south-west Buenos Aires Province) and the replacement of pastures with pine and eucalypt plantations in Corrientes. General threats include trapping for the pet trade and increased cowbird parasitism. Flocks below a minimum size may not be viable. An urgent measure of protection would be the fencing and preservation of traditional colony sites.

En base a 21.518 km de censos de rutas parece que la distributión actual del amenazado Tordo Amarillo o Dragón Xanthopsar flavus en Argentina está limitada a dos pequeñas áreas disyuntas en las provincias de Corrientes y Entre Rios. En Corrientes la especie se encuentra en pasturas naturales y arroceras, mientras que en Entre Rios usa campos agrícola-ganaderos. Una estimatión basada en el número de localidades y tamaños de bandadas indicaría una población total de 500 a 1.000 individuos. El tamaño promedio de bando (n = 30, período no reproductive) fue 31,9 individuos (rango 6–102) y es significativamente mayor en Entre Rios. En Corrientes las bandadas se asocian principalmente con la Monjita Dominica Xolmis dominicana, y en Entre Rios con el Pecho Amarillo Pseudoleistes virescens. La nidificación fue colonial en ambas provincias, con una densidad de hasta 24 nidos en 0,43 ha. Los nidos se construyeron en plantas herbáceas nativas y exóticas. El Tordo Renegrido Molothrus bonariensis parasitó 29,4 % de los nidos de una colonia, siendo sus huevos y polios significativamente mayores. Posibles razones para la extinción y declinatión a nivel local de la especie serían el drenaje de humedales (SO de Buenos Aires) y el reemplazo de pasturas por bosques implantados de pinos y eucaliptos (Corrientes). Las amenazas a nivel generales incluyen la captura para el comercio de aves de jaula, y un mayor parasitismo de cría. Una medida urgente de protectión de la especie sería cercar y preservar sitios tradicionales de nidificación.

The Red River Delta in northern Vietnam is an important stopover and wintering site for migratory waterbirds. During the spring of 1994, six globally threatened and five near-threatened species were observed in the coastal areas of the Delta. According to current applications of threat categories, one of the species has Critical status (Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor), three are Endangered (Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer, Saunders's Gull Larus saundersi and Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes), two are Vulnerable (Spoonbill Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis) and five are Near-threatened (Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus, Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and Japanese Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata). A nature reserve, also listed as a Ramsar area, already exists in the middle of the Delta. The Cua Day Estuary in the southern part of the delta is not included in either the nature reserve or Ramsar area. However, observations of 260 Saunders's Gulls and 41 Black-faced Spoonbills, which represent 9% and 12% of the estimated respective world populations, indicates the international importance of this area. The major threats to the waterbirds using the delta are reclamation of intertidal sand- and mudflats for aquaculture, increased disturbance associated with collection of sea products and hunting. Recommendations are made for future conservation actions.

Twenty Florida Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus nests in imminent danger of collapsing at four lakes in central Florida, U.S.A. during 1987-1993 were stabilized or artificially supported. Most nests (n=17, 85.0%) were in either cattail Typha spp. or bulrush Scirpus validus. Nine supported nests (45.0%) successfully fledged young; the remaining nests were either abandoned (n=8, 40.0%) or ultimately collapsed (n=3, 15.0%). The overall rate of 0.75 fledgling per nest for supported nests was similar to the 0.79 fledgling per nest for unaltered nests. If the 160 nests that collapsed during the study had been supported, 72 nests saved from collapsing could have produced an additional 54 fledgling kites. Nest support may be effective where kite populations are low or during drought conditions.