We conducted three-visit surveys of 1-km2 plots and traditional Finnish single-visit line transects (considering only the 50 m wide main belt) to evaluate these methods in censusing of a predetermined set of 23 target species known to prefer old forests in three regions in Finland. The efficiency of the two methods was compared on the basis of the number of territories recorded per hour. An attempt was made to find indicators of the occurrence of suitable habitats for species preferring old forest in general, including the rarest ones, and so also largely indicating total diversity of forest bird fauna of the study area. The total number of pairs observed per hour and the abundance of sedentary bird species were significantly higher in the square surveys than in the main belt of the line transects. There were significant positive relationships between the densities of relatively abundant (density > 1.0 pairs km−2) and less abundant target species. There emerged five common forest bird species that seemed to form a suitable set of indicators of the occurrence of habitats for birds preferring old forest in the northern boreal zone: Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major, Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus, Willow Tit Parus montanus, Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris, and Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. We concluded that sedentary species preferring old forest are good candidates for indicators to characterize some threatened aspects of forest bird diversity.

Internal security problems from the 1960s up until 1998 prevented any fieldwork in Cambodia. Since then, the situation has improved greatly and the Royal Government of Cambodia, in collaboration with international conservation NGOs, has been conducting general biological surveys across the country. Survey reports were used to investigate current occurrence of hornbills. Historically, three hornbill species — Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis, Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus and Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris — were known from Cambodia. Recent surveys show that populations of Great and Wreathed Hornbills have declined significantly since the 1960s, while Oriental Pied is still common. A fourth hornbill species, Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli, was reported in 1998 in Kirirom National Park spanning the border of Koh Kong and Kompong Speu provinces in south-west Cambodia. Conservation priorities and priorities for future surveys are being developed.

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis is considered to be among the world’s most damaging invasive species through disturbance, predation, competition pathogen introduction to native birds and other taxa. Claimed impacts on native birds have often been based on anecdotal reports. More substantive evidence of interference with small-island endemic birds has been reported, but impacts have rarely been quantified or subjected to experimental manipulation. On Denis Island (Seychelles), up to 10% of Seychelles Warblers Acrocephalus sechellensis, and small numbers of Seychelles Fodies Foudia sechellesis and Seychelles Paradise Flycatchers Terpsiphone corvina had head injuries following myna attacks, stimulating an eradication of the mynas. Populations of four species of Seychelles’ endemic birds, introduced to the island to establish insurance populations, were estimated before, during and after the completion of the eradication, permitting assessment of the impact of myna removal on populations of the endemics. Numbers of all four endemics increased following introduction, but increases in the numbers of Seychelles Magpie Robins Copsychus sechellensis and Seychelles Paradise Flycatchers accelerated after >90% of the mynas had been removed. All endemic populations continued to increase during and after completion of the eradication in 2015, and injuries to Seychelles Warblers, Seychelles Fodies, and Seychelles Paradise Flycatchers ceased. Habitat management within a designated conservation zone on the island, into which the endemics were released and subsequently spread to occupy most of the island, also contributed to the endemic birds’ global populations and to their improved conservation status. This study confirms that mynas negatively impact small island populations of endemic birds and suggests that their potential impact has been underestimated. Myna eradication should be considered vital before endangered endemic birds and other taxa susceptible to their negative impacts are translocated to small islands for conservation reasons.

Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii is a vulnerable flagship species specific to steppe, desert and semi-desert habitats of the Middle East and Central Asia. Iran provides a critical corridor in the middle of Asian Houbara’s migratory route and also hosts a relatively large proportion of wintering and breeding populations. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and habitat suitability of both wintering and breeding populations of Asian Houbara in Iran and evaluate the effectiveness of the existing protected area network for long-term protection of the species. For this purpose, 644 occurrence points for wintering and 216 points for breeding birds were collected from 17 Iranian provinces during 2015 to 2017. We then used a consensus species distribution modelling (SDM) approach using 11 uncorrelated environmental variables to explore the distribution of Asian Houbara habitats. Results showed that climatic and topographic variations have the most significant influence on the regional-scale distribution of Asian Houbara. Of the suitable habitats recognised for the wintering and breeding populations, 40.6% and 29.6% respectively overlapped with the extent of the protected network. A high level of spatial niche similarity (78%) was observed between wintering and breeding populations. The central, eastern and south-central Iranian semi-arid regions and desert landscapes hosted the majority of both wintering and breeding houbara occurrences. Results of this study could be used for adopting direct management planning and raising the protection level of important no-hunting areas.

Although most Old World vulture species are declining or threatened in Asia and Africa, in Europe healthy vulture populations still exist. However, recent application of sanitary legislation that has greatly reduced the availability of animal carcasses is now a concern for conservationists. Until now, no studies have been undertaken to determine long-term dietary shifts in these species in Europe, but such studies are essential to optimising the resources invested in conservation and to anticipating the ecological needs of the target species. Here, we present a first attempt to examine the dietary variation in the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus from the late Pleistocene to the present day. Medium-size wild ungulates such as southern chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica, Spanish ibex Capra pyrenaica, red deer Cervus elaphus and roe deer Capreolus capreolus dominate the diet during the Pleistocene supporting the hypothesis that Bearded Vulture distribution was largely determined by the presence of such species. On the contrary, domestic species, such as sheep Ovis aries and goat Capra hircus, are the most common taxa in the diet in modern and historic periods. The actual dependence of the species on livestock, along with a restrictive sanitary legislation, threaten the conservation of this and other endangered avian scavengers in Europe. This new paleobiological conservation perspective confirms that efforts to establish a self-sustaining Bearded Vulture population should be enhanced by the widespread availability of medium-sized wild ungulates and by the presence of extensive and traditional grazing practices.

Olrog's Gull Larus atlanticus is a vulnerable species endemic to the Argentine Atlantic coast. We present information on new breeding colonies, update information on known colonies, and describe habitat and nest site characteristics of Olrog's Gulls breeding at Bahía San Blas, southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Information was obtained during the 1998 breeding season. We recorded four colonies on islets, with a total population size of 305 pairs. Colonies were located on open ground, partly bordered by vegetation. The two colonies at Islote Arroyo Jabalí Oeste were located more than 150 m from the high tide line, while the two colonies at Banco Nordeste were placed only a few metres from the high tide mark (1-6 m). Most nests were located more than a metre away from low Atriplex patagonica bushes (20-30 cm high) and herbaceous species, although a few nests were a few cm from vegetation. Nests were built on vegetation debris, on low herbaceous vegetation, and on gravel and sand. All nests at the four colonies were built with vegetation debris, mainly Spartina densiflora and some Salicornia sp. Mean external and internal diameters of nests were 40.57 ± 5.14 and 19.71 ± 2.21 cm, respectively. Gulls nested in discrete groups at relatively high densities, which ranged between 0.62 and 1.1 nests/m2. Nest occupation and number of eggs per nest varied among colonies. Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus were observed nesting in close proximity to all colonies. Further studies are needed to assess habitat partitioning between these two species, particularly considering that they nest in association at all breeding locations in coastal Argentina and that Kelp Gulls have shown an important population increase in recent decades.

The Timor Bush Warbler Locustella timorensis was first collected by Georg Stein on Mount Mutis, West Timor in 1932, but there have been no confirmed field observations since. Here we report on the discovery of a new population of bush warbler on Alor (9 September 2009), which prompted a search for, and subsequent rediscovery, of the nominate Timor Bush Warbler (20 December 2009) in Timor-Leste. We also undertook the first bush warbler searches in the mountains on Atauro Island, and the first ornithological exploration of the mountains of Pantar and Wetar islands. On Alor, at least 13 male bush warblers were heard singing from shrub and grass beneath woodland and forest edge at 859–1,250 m. On Timor, at least 40 males were heard during December, April and July from tall grassland below Mount Ramelau (1,720–2,100 m), Timor-Leste. The song structure of the Alor and Timor birds is similar, and close to Javan Bush Warbler L. montis of Java and Bali, as well as to recordings of Russet Bush Warbler L. mandelli of mainland Asia and Benguet Bush Warbler L. seebohmi from the Philippines. The song of the Alor bird is substantially higher pitched (mean min/max 3,233–4,980 kHz) than the Timor bird (2,928–4,761 kHz) and both are substantially higher pitched than Javan birds. Recordings of Russet Bush Warbler from mainland Asia are higher pitched than songs of all insular taxa, and the song of Benguet Bush Warbler is of a similar pitch to the Timor bird. Recent molecular studies have found that divergences between Javan Bush Warbler and the Russet Bush Warbler are slight, and the high degree of song similarity of the Alor and Timor populations to Javan Bush Warbler places them close to the Benguet Bush Warbler complex. The Timor Bush Warbler is recognised as ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN, but this will require re-evaluation. On Alor, suitable habitat is extensive and under little threat, but grassland in the uplands of West and East Timor is intensively grazed and regularly burnt. Further field surveys are needed on both Timor and Alor to capture birds, clarify taxonomic relationships using molecular approaches, and further define habitat use and conservation status. Bush warblers were not recorded from Pantar, Atauro and Wetar islands.

We studied the breeding biology of Tahiti Monarch Pomarea nigra, a ‘Critically Endangered’ forest bird endemic to Tahiti (French Polynesia). Nest activity was monitored from 1998 to 2002, and again from 2008 to 2015. During these 12 years, only 2–13 breeding pairs per year produced hatchlings. Egg-laying occurred all year, but usually increased between August and January, peaking around November. Of the 200 nests monitored, 33 (16%) were abandoned shortly after construction, 71 had an egg laid immediately after the nest were completed (34 %) and 96 nests (46 %) had a pre-incubation phase of 18.9 ± 1.9 days (3–62 days; n = 47 nests), during which the birds visited the nest on an irregular basis. Half (49 of 96) of these nests were abandoned before an egg was laid, with incubation subsequently commencing at the remaining nests (n = 47). Although both sexes incubated for an average of 13.6 ± 0.3 days (range 13–15), the female usually spent more time incubating than the male. Only one young per nest was ever observed. The average nestling phase was 15.5 ± 0.7 days (range 13 to 20 days). Parents continue to feed the young after fledging for 74 ± 4.7 days (range 42–174). As with many tropical island endemics, the Tahiti Monarch has low reproductive productivity as indicated by the fact that: 1) only 56% of pairs attempt to lay an egg in any one year, 2) most pairs attempt only one brood per year and 3) the considerable length of the nesting and fledging phases. Because of its low productivity, maximising the reproductive success of the Tahiti Monarch is essential to secure its recovery.

The practice of keeping birds is a long-held tradition in South-east Asia, including in Singapore. Beyond market surveys that have documented Singapore’s sizeable bird market, there is a compelling need to understand the underlying drivers of demand for songbirds, and how these are influenced by social factors. We conducted semi-structured surveys of 114 songbird owners in Singapore, so as to determine their behaviour, demography, and preferences for owning songbirds and mapped Singapore’s songbird trade network. Forty-four percent of respondents reported to not prefer either wild-caught or captive-bred birds and another 37% preferred captive-bred birds. Over half (51%) did not think that there were any differences in the singing capabilities of the songbird from either source. Influence from family members and close contacts were cited as the most influential motivational factor for bird-keeping. The majority of respondents were middle-aged (77% aged 40 and above), and two-thirds (67%) were of Chinese ethnicity. Purchasing power and socio-economic status were not deemed to be strong considerations for owning songbirds. Neither was songbird ownership regarded as a status symbol, in contrast to parrot ownership in Singapore. Instead, social factors played influential roles in the songbird community, shaping the way owners gather, interact, and trade at bird shops and bird cage hanging spots. This study offers novel insights into the motivations underlying songbird ownership and its complex community linkages. We advocate for conservation interventions to target specific demographic groups that are embedded and influenced by communities so as to promote sustainable trade in songbirds.

A rocky area in Lamto, Ivory Coast, which is partly surrounded by plantations, was searched for nests of the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephala. A total of 34 nests was found of which 10 were only remnants, 12 old and 12 rather new. One nest contained two chicks. It is suggested that ecotourism might be a suitable means to help to protect the species, but care has to be taken to avoid any further disturbance.

Grey-headed Quail-dove Geotrygon caniceps has traditionally been considered a polytypic species endemic to Cuba and the Dominican Republic and treated as globally threatened within the most recent Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2000). Chapman (1917) described Geotrygon leucometopius of Hispaniola as specifically distinct from G. caniceps of Cuba based on 10 specimens, taken by Rollo Beck in the Dominican Republic. Subsequently, Bond (1936, 1956) merged leucometopius within caniceps, an arrangement that has persisted, unchallenged in the technical literature, until the present. Through examination of 76 specimens, extensive field experience of Cuban birds, and less exhaustive fieldwork in the Dominican Republic, we re-evaluate the taxonomic status of the Hispaniolan population, identifying consistent differences in coloration, tail length and characteristics of the second to fifth primaries between it and the Cuban population. Based on these differences, we suggest that caniceps (endemic to Cuba) and leucometopius (restricted to the Dominican Republic) be henceforth resurrected to species status. We were unable to undertake a complete analysis of the vocalizations of the two forms, due to the lack of definite recordings from Hispaniola, but present sonograms and notes concerning Cuban birds. Further work, including molecular analyses, would be clearly desirable to test our hypothesis. Both forms are undoubtedly declining due to habitat destruction and hunting, and both certainly qualify as Vulnerable under current IUCN criteria. Indeed, leucometopius may even qualify as Endangered under the range criterion. Its status requires particularly careful monitoring, while new information, published since the BirdLife International (2000) review of globally threatened birds, suggests that the range even of nominate caniceps is considerably smaller than previously considered.

The Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis is endemic to coastal forests in Kenya and Tanzania (Keith et al. 1992). It has been listed as occurring in the Pugu Hills, Tanzania (Howell 1981, Collar and Stuart 1985, 1988), having been first recorded in 1938 (Moreau 1940). Two further records from this area are reported in Collar and Stuart (1985), in 1955 and 1981. Harvey and Howell (1987) noted that, over the period 1968–1978, many visits to the area by a variety of observers, some using mist-nets, failed to locate Sokoke Pipit.

Productivity of the endemic Mauritius Olive White-eye Zosterops chloronothos, the least known of the Mauritian land-bird species, was studied for three consecutive breeding seasons. Fifteen White-eye territories were monitored in 1998–1999 and 1999–2000, and 18 in 2000–2001. Although respectively 67%, 73% and 78% of pairs in these territories exhibited signs of breeding, the annual proportion of pairs that successfully produced a fledgling was found to be extremely low at 7%, 7% and 17% respectively. Only five fledglings were observed during the 3 year period. None of the pairs was observed to have more than one successful nesting episode per season, and no pair produced more than a single fledgling over the 3 years. The extremely low productivity of this declining population is of critical concern. Species-specific conservation management is urgently required for this species.

Decline of native forest cover is a worldwide concern. Recently, overall forest cover in Vietnam has increased, but most of the increase has been attributed to plantations of non-native trees. The conservation value of these plantations for birds is unknown. We compared avian species richness in pine plantations to that in second-growth and mature native forests in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam. Bird species were classified into two categories: forest specialists or forest generalists. To account for strong heterogeneity in detection probabilities, the number of species in each category was estimated using the Pledger-Huggins estimator. We estimated total species richness and number of forest specialist species to be highest in mature forest (191; 95% CI = 96, 287, and 88; 95% CI = 47, 129 respectively), lower in second-growth forest (158; 95% CI = 87, 245 and 58; 95% CI = 18, 98 respectively), and lowest in pine plantation (106; 95% CI = 52, 158 and 49; 95% CI = 2, 97 respectively). The estimated number of forest generalist species was similar between mature forest and second-growth forest (103; 95% CI = 17, 189 and 100; 95% CI = 42, 158, respectively) and least in pine plantation (57; 95% CI = 31, 82). The maintenance of native forest types should receive priority for conservation in Vietnam and pine plantations should be managed to provide additional structure in the hope of increasing species richness.

Phylogenetic analyses can be used to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and reconstruct a species’ evolutionary history. This can be combined with ecological data to predict missing life history traits which are important for creation of conservation management strategies. We investigated the evolutionary and life history of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi by estimating its phylogenetic placement and using this new phylogeny to test the accuracy of phylogenetic comparative methods for estimating both documented and unknown life history traits. We extracted DNA from two Grenada Dove samples and obtained sequences from three mitochondrial markers: Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b); and one nuclear marker: β-Fibrinogen intron 7 (β-FIB). We present the first genetic data obtained for the Grenada Dove. Our data identify the Grey-Chested Dove Leptotila cassinii as the species which shares both a most recent common ancestor, with an estimated divergence of approximately 2.53 million years ago, and the smallest genetic distance (P = 0.0303) with the Grenada Dove. Life history trait values for the Grenada Dove predicted from our analyses using phylogenetic imputation are: clutch size = 2 (± 0.09) eggs; clutches per year = 1.4 (± 0.81); incubation time = 14.2 (± 0.75) days; hatching weight = 3.8 g (± 1.05) and single imputation: fledging age (genus median) = 15.5 days, longevity (genus median) = 8.6 years. This study contributes novel information regarding evolutionary history and life history characteristics to inform long-term conservation actions for a ‘Critically Endangered’ species.

Along with many long-distance migrant passerine species in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the migratory Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus superciliosus has been sharply declining throughout its breeding range. Its breeding range in Japan shrank by 90.9% between the 1910s and 2010s. In contrast, the closely related but resident Bull-headed Shrike L. bucephalus bucephalus has been gradually declining but is still a common resident in Japan. To better understand the drastic decline of Brown Shrike, we compared the pairing success during three consecutive breeding seasons of these two species. About 60–70% of Brown Shrike males were unpaired, which was much higher than the percentage of unpaired male Bull-headed Shrike (c.0–20%). Brown Shrike males arriving later did not pair because the population’s sex proportion is heavily biased toward males. One of the factors of male-biased population of Brown Shrike may be female-biased mortality in wintering sites, or on the migratory journey, and tracking studies will be required to test this.

Since its rediscovery in 1998, two major threats have been mentioned for the enigmatic Austral Rail Rallus antarcticus: cattle management by burning grass and rushes and predation by American mink Neovison vison. Added to the lack of a protocol to monitor this secretive bird, ever-growing threats make it necessary to study its global situation in depth to take accurate and urgent management decisions. We firstly studied how threats to the Austral Rail currently impact their occupancy and relative density (RD) at a wetland scale and habitat features associated with its presence at survey site scale inside wetlands in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. We additionally developed a monitoring protocol to detect the rail effectively and promptly by studying responses to playback with two different vocalisations at different times of the day and season. Both threats evaluated were negatively related to occupancy and RD of the Austral Rail, especially mink presence appearing to have an additive effect. We propose American mink control as crucial for Austral Rail conservation, while it would also be necessary to conserve a portion of wetlands exempt from burning and cattle presence. At survey sites, its presence was positively related with c.1–1.5 m tall rushes, whilst rails avoided low- density rush areas that resulted after management of rushes with fire to create pasture. To detect rails, both vocalisations can be confidently used at any time of the day and season. The poor knowledge about species ecology, mismanagement of vegetation in wetlands, expansion of American mink in Patagonia, construction on two dams in the Santa Cruz river basin, added to the already modified humidity conditions due to global climate change, force us to suggest that the Austral Rail should be considered as globally ‘Endangered’ (EN), to ensure the consideration of the species in management decisions.

The Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti, previously known from five specimens collected in Laos in 1920, was rediscovered in central Vietnam in July 1994. Fieldwork in Phong Nha Cultural and Historical Reserve located a population inhabiting lowland evergreen forest on limestone. The species was recorded on a number of occasions over several days and one female specimen was collected. The species appears to have highly specific ecological requirements and current human disturbance may have implications for its conservation at this site. A revision of its taxonomic position suggests its retention within the genus Stachyris.

Species baseline information is required for effective biodiversity conservation. Here we provide sound ecological data to support effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl, Otus bikegila Melo, Freitas, Verbelen, Costa, Pereira, Fuchs, Sangster, Correia, de Lima & Crottini 2022, discovered in 2016. We mapped the observed and potential distribution, inferred habitat associations, estimated population size, and assessed the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category for this species. Surveys were carried out across Príncipe Island during the long and short dry seasons, recording owl presence in sampling points along transects. These data were used to model distribution, revealing that the Principe Scops-owl is restricted to 34.4 km2 in the south of the island, inside the Príncipe Obô Natural Park. Most records were in lower altitude native forest. Remoteness was the most important variable to explain presence at island level, followed by land use, which showed that the species is restricted to forest, clearly depending on native forest. Distance sampling using different models suggested a population density ranging between 33.4 individuals/km2 (95% CI: 23.6–47.2) and 46.4 individuals/km2 (95% CI: 29.3–73.6), which extrapolates to an estimated population size ranging from 1,149 individuals (95% CI: 813–1,623) to 1,597 individuals (95% CI: 1,007–2,533). We propose that the species is classified as “Critically Endangered” due to the small extent of occurrence, coupled with occurrence in a single location and inferred continuing declines in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of mature individuals and area, extent, and quality of habitat. Effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl requires regular monitoring and further studies focusing on reproduction and potential nest predation by introduced mammals. Widespread support for the conservation of the Natural Park is vital to ensure the protection of this species and the endemic-rich native forests of Príncipe on which it depends.

In view of the continuing appropriation and conversion of natural land areas in North America for human uses, there is growing concern about the impacts of changing land use on terrestrial bird species. In order to promote conservation of critical remaining habitats for birds, Partners in Flight (PIF) initiated a project in 1997 in which bird conservation plans were prepared by members in each of 60 ecologically defined physiographical areas throughout the United States. Accurate, nationwide information on the location and extent of vegetative cover types, as well as lands under state and federal management, are critically important elements in the creation of effective bird conservation plans. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded a challenge grant to The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Wings of the Americas Program to assist Partners in Flight in acquiring land cover data to serve as the foundation of the planning effort. Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the American Bird Conservancy also contributed support toward this goal. The Center for Advanced Spatial Technology at the University of Arkansas was contracted to produce the needed land cover maps and associated tabular products. Digital land cover databases created by the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, the University of California-Santa Barbara Department of Geography, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics were used in this project. The final spatial products were produced during 1998–1999 and are described in this paper. This effort represents the first nationwide habitat mapping project in the United States aimed at supporting and enhancing conservation of terrestrial bird species.