The Amathole mistbelt forests in the Eastern Cape, South Africa harbour the largest remnant population of the nationally endangered endemic Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus, a secondary-cavity nester whose persistence is limited by suitable nest sites. These are also the only forests within Cape Parrot range in which selective timber harvesting remains permitted, but the impact of harvesting on the availability of parrot nest sites has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the degree to which current harvest selection criteria stand to impact nest site availability. Results showed that Cape Parrots have specific nest tree requirements; and that there is overlap in the species and condition of trees selected for nesting, and harvesting. The two yellowwood species found in the region, Afrocarpus falcatus and Podocarpus latifolius, represented the majority of both harvested trees (78%), and Cape Parrot nest trees (79%). Moreover, both Cape Parrot and harvest selection criteria require large (≥50 cm diameter at breast height; ≥12 m high), old, dead, dying, or crown-damaged yellowwoods, such that 32% of trees considered potential nest trees were also candidates for harvesting. Current selection criteria need to be revised to ensure that timber use is compatible with biodiversity conservation in the Amathole forests. We suggest that all harvesting of dead standing yellowwoods be discontinued; and that the harvesting of live trees with crown damage, which are frequently used by parrots for nesting, be limited by a species-specific maximum harvestable diameter.

Among the six sympatric swan and goose species wintering in the Yangtze River floodplain, only Greylag Goose Anser anser and Bean Goose A. fabalis showed increasing population trends in the last 20 years. Until now, almost nothing was known about the Greylag Geese breeding on the eastern Mongolian Plateau, which we now know mostly winter in the Yangtze River floodplain. We applied GPS transmitters to 20 Greylag Geese in the Yangtze River floodplain and eastern Mongolia, providing complete tracks of their movements in summer, winter, spring and autumn (n = 6, 8, 8, 7). We overlaid these locations on GIS layers of habitat type and national-level protected areas, and modelled their habitat selection. Geese summered in Dauria Region, Huihe National Nature Reserve, and Wulagai Wetlands (from where 55% of GPS fixes were located in protected areas), wintered in Poyang Lake, Longgan Lake, and Anqing Lakes (43%), and staged around Bohai Bay, Xila Mulun River, and Wulagai Wetlands (spring, 48%; autumn, 45%). Geese mainly used natural ecosystems in summer (essentially grasslands and wetlands/water bodies), but in the other three seasons, used croplands between 17% (spring) and 46% (winter) of the time, with most of the rest of the time spent on wetlands/water bodies. Geese were frequently associated with wetlands and areas close to lakes/wetlands in all seasons, and cropland during winter and spring/autumn migration. These results suggest Greylag Geese in this biogeographical sub-population have increasingly shifted to feeding in croplands during the non-breeding season and enjoy the benefit of using protected areas throughout the year. We infer that these factors could have potentially contributed to elevated survival and reproductive success (relatively high among sampled flocks in recent years) which could explain the favourable conservation status of this population of Greylag Geese in recent years compared to other sympatric wintering goose and swan species.

The Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus is a generalist species that inhabits temperate and arctic coasts of the north Atlantic Ocean. In recent years, there has been growing concern about population declines at local and regional scales; however, there has been no attempt to robustly assess Great Black-backed Gull population trends across its global range. We obtained the most recent population counts across the species’ range and analysed population trends at a global, continental, and national scale over the most recent three-generation period (1985–2021) following IUCN Red List criteria. We found that, globally, the species has declined by 43%–48% over this period (1.2–1.3% per annum, respectively), from an estimated 291,000 breeding pairs to 152,000–165,000 breeding pairs under two different scenarios. North American populations declined more steeply than European ones (68% and 28%, respectively). We recommend that Great Black-backed Gull should be uplisted from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species under criterion A2 (an estimated reduction in population size >30% over three generations).

Regional and local studies suggest that the Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata in North America is declining in portions of its range. However, whether the overall population is declining, or its range is contracting with little change to the overall population size, is unknown. To examine population trends throughout its North American range, we assembled 11 datasets that spanned 115 years (1905–2019) and included at-sea density and encounter estimates and at-colony burrow and bird counts. We assessed trends for the California Current, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands large marine ecosystems (LME). We found: (1) nearly uniform and long-term declines of Puffins breeding in the California Current ecosystem, with most ecosystem colonies surveyed, (2) declining trends at two large colonies and in one at-sea dataset in the Gulf of Alaska LME, with the fourth smaller colony exhibiting no significant trend, and (3) positive trends at four out of five colonies in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands ecosystem complex, with no detectable trend at the fifth very large colony. The general pattern of Tufted Puffin declines across the California Current and Gulf of Alaska LMEs may be attributable to a variety of factors, but additional study is needed to evaluate the relative influence of potential population drivers both independently and synergistically. Potential mechanisms driving population increases in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands ecosystem include reduced depredation and bycatch, intrinsic population growth, and immigration. We found strong evidence for declines in two of the three LMEs evaluated representing approximately three quarters of the species’ North American range. This region of decline includes the Gulf of Alaska LME, which contains a significant portion of the species’ estimated total North American population. Despite data limitations, our analysis coupled with more focused and local studies indicates that the Tufted Puffin is a species of conservation concern.

Baseline data on local status of threatened species are often limited, and alternative information sources such as local ecological knowledge (LEK) have potential to provide conservation insights but require critical evaluation. We assess the usefulness of LEK to generate conservation evidence for the Hainan Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron katsumatae, a poorly known threatened island galliform. Interview surveys in rural communities across eight forested landscapes on Hainan provided a new dataset of sightings of Peacock-pheasants and other galliforms. Fewer respondents had seen Peacock-pheasants compared to other species across most landscapes, although Peacock-pheasant sightings showed significant across-landscape variation, with substantially more total and recent sightings from Yinggeling National Nature Reserve. However, validation of interview data with camera trapping data from Houmiling Provincial Nature Reserve, a landscape with few reported sightings, suggests a more optimistic possible status for Peacock-pheasants, which were detected as frequently as Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus and Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera during systematic camera trap placement. Hainan Peacock-pheasant sighting rates might be influenced by various factors (e.g. restricted local access to forests), with absolute abundance possibly greater than expected from limited sightings. Conversely, relative across-landscape abundance patterns from LEK are likely to be valid, as similar detection biases exist across surveyed landscapes.

The endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata is under pressure from habitat loss and from capturing for the cage bird trade. In north-east Argentina it is known to be associated with the Espinal ecoregion, but no information was available on habitat selection within this ecoregion. In Entre Ríos province, Argentina, we first sampled Yellow Cardinal presence in four environments: Espinal savannahs, Espinal open woodlands, riparian woodlands, and agricultural fields. Yellow Cardinals were only detected in savannahs. In a second set of surveys, transects were surveyed at sites with known presence of Yellow Cardinals and were placed within savannahs as well as nearby in open forests of only slightly different physiognomy. Yellow Cardinals were again only detected in savannahs. Tree density, shrub cover and height of herbaceous layer were lower in savannahs than in open woodlands. Ground-foraging Yellow Cardinals in savannahs foraged exclusively in grass patches with short grass of 3˗12 cm height. Such short grass occurred in 75% of spots of savannahs sites, but only in 48% of open woodlands. Savannah sites with Yellow Cardinals were significantly further away from permanent roads than sites without Cardinals, likely a reflection of capture pressure near roads. We recommend establishing additional protected areas with a high proportion of savannah patches and with limited or no road access. The short grass used by foraging Yellow Cardinals requires maintenance through grazing. Rewilding with native herbivores in protected areas is preferable to attain natural herbivory, but during the initial stages of rewilding, cattle and sheep grazing are essential to avoid tree and shrub proliferation in savannahs. The Yellow Cardinal can also persist on private lands with Espinal vegetation under sustainable livestock grazing. Frequent and effective patrolling and road controls are essential to reduce illegal capturing.

The little-known Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata is thought to be declining due to the loss of grassland habitats throughout its range, and is currently classified as globally ‘Vulnerable’. In order to investigate the current status and possible causes of the presumed decline, we assessed population density of Bristled Grassbird in Padma and Jamuna river systems of Bangladesh. The study was conducted during the breeding seasons of the Bristled Grassbird in April and May in 2016–2019, using distance sampling and habitat suitability modelling. We also examined habitat preferences and responses to environmental changes based on vegetation structure and habitat modifications at point count locations. We detected a total of 39 birds with a mean group size of 1.44 individuals. We estimated 4.52 (95% CI: 2.65–7.73) individuals per km2 with an encounter rate of 1.48 detections per point count station and 341.15 birds within the study area. Our habitat suitability model projected a total of 167.41 km2 of suitable habitat and a total of 756.7 birds in floodplain grasslands of Padma and Jamuna river systems. The Bristled Grassbird was positively associated with grass height and grass density with 92.31% of 39 detections at Saccharum spontaneum dominated grasslands. We did not find a significant effect on Bristled Grassbird detections with increasing human activities, although the detection rate decreased linearly with increasing agricultural intervention and grass harvesting. These findings indicate that the Bristled Grassbird is more widely distributed throughout Bangladesh, and may be less vulnerable to grassland modifications, than previously thought.

Severe habitat loss has been widely suggested as the main cause for the near disappearance of Gurney’s Pitta across its range, with the species having been functionally extirpated from Thailand, and heavily reduced in Myanmar. Here we provide an overview of the decline in available habitat in the Thai portion of the range and the species prospects for reintroduction anywhere in Thailand. Little suitable habitat for the species has remained in the Thai part of its range since 1986, when the species was rediscovered and it has since declined to a level where viable populations cannot be found. Lowland forest (<150 m asl) has been heavily fragmented with most remaining habitat found in patches smaller than 1 km2 and only 13 ranging between 1 and 5 km2. Under current conditions, viable populations of the species cannot be reintroduced into the wild. However, maintaining a free-ranging, captive population may be possible as several of the remaining small habitat patches are legally protected, although they would require substantial management.

Seabirds are declining globally and are one of the most threatened groups of birds. To halt or reverse this decline they need protection both on land and at sea, requiring site-based conservation initiatives based on seabird abundance and diversity. The Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) programme is a method of identifying the most important places for birds based on globally agreed standardised criteria and thresholds. However, while great strides have been made identifying terrestrial sites, at-sea identification is lacking. The Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean, supports four terrestrial IBAs (tIBAs) and two proposed marine IBAs (mIBAs). The mIBAs are seaward extensions to breeding colonies based on outdated information and, other types of mIBA have not been explored. Here, we review the proposed seaward extension mIBAs using up-to-date seabird status and distribution information and, use global positioning system (GPS) tracking from Red-footed Booby Sula sula – one of the most widely distributed breeding seabirds on the archipelago – to identify any pelagic mIBAs. We demonstrate that due to overlapping boundaries of seaward extension to breeding colony and pelagic areas of importance there is a single mIBA in the central Indian Ocean that lays entirely within the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area (MPA). Covering 62,379 km2 it constitutes ~10% of the MPA and if designated, would become the 11th largest mIBA in the world and 4th largest in the Indian Ocean. Our research strengthens the evidence of the benefits of large-scale MPAs for the protection of marine predators and provides a scientific foundation stone for marine biodiversity hotspot research in the central Indian Ocean.

Bustards comprise a highly threatened family of birds and, being relatively fast, heavy fliers with very limited frontal visual fields, are particularly susceptible to mortality at powerlines. These infrastructures can also displace them from immediately adjacent habitat and act as barriers, fragmenting their ranges. With geographically ever wider energy transmission and distribution grids, the powerline threat to bustards is constantly growing. Reviewing the published and unpublished literature up to January 2021, we found 2,774 records of bustard collision with powerlines, involving 14 species. Some studies associate powerline collisions with population declines. To avoid mortalities, the most effective solution is to bury the lines; otherwise they should be either routed away from bustard-frequented areas, or made redundant by local energy generation. When possible, new lines should run parallel to existing structures and wires should preferably be as low and thick as possible, with minimal conductor obstruction of vertical airspace, although it should be noted that these measures require additional testing. A review of studies finds limited evidence that ‘bird flight diverters’ (BFDs; devices fitted to wires to induce evasive action) achieve significant reductions in mortality for some bustard species. Nevertheless, dynamic BFDs are preferable to static ones as they are thought to perform more effectively. Rigorous evaluation of powerline mortalities, and effectiveness of mitigation measures, need systematic carcass surveys and bias corrections. Whenever feasible, assessments of displacement and barrier effects should be undertaken. Following best practice guidelines proposed with this review paper to monitor impacts and mitigation could help build a reliable body of evidence on best ways to prevent bustard mortality at powerlines. Research should focus on validating mitigation measures and quantifying, particularly for threatened bustards, the population effects of powerline grids at the national scale, to account for cumulative impacts on bustards and establish an equitable basis for compensation measures.

Despite the widely recognized value of wetlands in providing vital ecosystem services, these are presently being degraded and ultimately destroyed, leading to a decrease in the biodiversity associated with these areas. Some species inextricably linked to wetlands, however, have been increasing and (re)colonizing areas across their range; a notable example being the Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. In this study we aimed to identify the most important habitats for juvenile spoonbills fledging from a traditional colony in Portugal, located in Ria Formosa, during the period of their life with the lowest survival rates: the first months after leaving the colony. We deployed 16 GPS/GSM tags on juveniles captured in different years (2016 to 2020) and tracked them during post-fledging dispersal and first winter (average 166.4 ± 29.2 SE days). Using Corine Land Cover data, we were able to identify which habitats were most important. Several habitats were used in variable proportions by individuals originating from the same colony, but there was a general trend towards using fewer habitats along the first months of life. Intertidal wetlands were the most used habitat, but anthropogenic habitats such as Wastewater Treatment Plants, saltpans and rice fields were identified as alternative habitats for young spoonbills, and may had contributed to the recent expansion of this species in Portugal.

The suitable habitats of the Endangered Green Peafowl Pavo muticus have declined by 80% over the past century due to extensive anthropogenic degradation. Currently, only six strongholds remain in mainland South-east Asia. While there are estimates of the species’ presence and status in five of these, the sixth one, defined as an “expected stronghold” located in the suitable dry forest along the Salawin River between Thailand and Myanmar, is not well documented. This study assessed the status of the area as a stronghold for the Green Peafowl’s long-term survival by estimating 1) the population density, 2) the current extension of suitable habitats, and 3) the threats to its survival. The area had an estimated density of 0.27 calling males/km2 (CI = 0.07–1.01) inhabiting 9,154 km2 of a mosaic of forest types, including mixed dry pine, mixed deciduous, and dry dipterocarp forests. Higher estimates were reported in other strongholds, including 0.8 birds/km2 in Bago Yoma (Myanmar), 15.8 birds/km2 in north-east Thailand, 1.13–11.34 birds/km2 in HuaiKhaKhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (Thailand), 0.15–1.7 birds/km2 in northern Cambodia, and 0.15–4.69 birds/km2 in eastern Cambodia / south-central Vietnam. Hunting, habitat disturbance, and the presence of humans posed the greatest danger to the species across the surveyed area. Our results confirm the potential of the area for the species’ long-term survival. However, this “expected stronghold,” which could sustain a population of over 10 calling males/km2 like other high-quality strongholds, is in dire need of a comprehensive management plan to help reduce anthropogenic pressure. Ultimately, transboundary management between Thailand and Myanmar is crucial for the long-term repopulation of this stronghold.

The Endangered Black Shama Kittacincla cebuensis is endemic to the island of Cebu, Philippines. We surveyed 11 forest patches from February 2018 to March 2020 to determine current distribution, habitat requirements, and population density of the Black Shama. A total of 111 point count stations was surveyed resulting in 93 Black Shama detections. Using point count Distance sampling, the population density was estimated at 313 individuals/km2 for a total population of 11,839 individuals (9,160–15,415). The largest sub-population (10,470) was in Alcoy, followed by Argao (711), and Dalaguete (325). Our total population estimate and sub-population estimates were higher than the estimate of 6,650 individuals made by BirdLife International for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The species was found to survive in a variety of habitats in at least 20 localities covering roughly 37 km2 of karst forest. We did not encounter the bird in seven areas of its former range. Protection of the remaining forests of Cebu and the establishment of plantations of native tree species in between forest patches are crucial to the survival of the species.

Low-latitude penguins naturally breed in burrows dug in guano. This affords them a buffered environment that remains cool and humid, reducing the risk of hyperthermia while on land. As a conservation strategy, several versions of artificial housing units have been trialled at various breeding sites of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) around South Africa, where former guano exploitation forced many penguins to breed in exposed surface nests. While some units yielded a positive effect on breeding success by providing protection against predation, none of them have effectively mitigated the risk of heat stress in penguins or their eggs. Here, we investigated the microclimate of a recent double-layered design of ceramic artificial nests and compared that to natural burrows, exposed surface nests, and commonly used cement pipe nests, in austral summer 2021 on Bird Island, South Africa. We also recorded penguin behaviour during the hottest period at each of these nest types using remote camera traps to determine the onset of heat stress (panting). Double-layered ceramic nests out-performed all other nest types, including natural burrows, by remaining cooler throughout the day, with temperatures never exceeding 36.7°C. By contrast, all other nest types had multiple episodes where temperatures exceeded 40°C. Double-layered ceramic nests also maintained constant levels of high humidity (relative humidity [RH] >70%) throughout our study, whereas low humidity levels were observed in surface nests (RH ≈ 60%) and cement nests (RH <50%) during midday heat. We observed penguins panting at temperatures of 25°C in nest boxes, and at 22°C in exposed surface nests. This suggests that heat stress in African Penguins may occur much sooner than anticipated and that they are particularly vulnerable to hyperthermia as climate change-related global warming progresses. Fortunately, we are encouraged by the capacity of double-layered ceramic nest boxes to buffer environmental extremes and maintain suitable breeding conditions.

The ‘a‘o, or Newell’s Shearwater Puffinus newelli, is an endangered shearwater species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with 90% of the world population found on Kaua‘i. Understanding the breeding phenology of the species is vital for identifying key periods for colony management actions and the timing and exposure frequency to infrastructure threats such as powerline collisions and light attraction. We used a combination of direct burrow monitoring and remote cameras at multiple colonies between 2012 and 2019 for a detailed assessment of the breeding phenology for this species. Breeding adults started arriving at the burrow in mid-April, some (but not all) underwent a two-week exodus in May and returned at the end of May to commence incubation. Incubation continued until mid-July. The chick-rearing period ran until the end of September. Fledging peaked in October with the last birds fledging towards the middle of November. Breeding was not synchronised, with a 59-day gap between the first and last fledging birds. The importance of this information to management actions is discussed, particularly in terms of directing management actions to key periods of vulnerability to introduced predators (such as peak incubation, chick emergence, and exercising prior to fledging), the precise timing of fledgling fallout related to light attraction, and directing colony-monitoring actions and translocation projects. We also consider the utility of the data in assessing species composition of powerline collisions and collision risk. Future work using acoustic monitoring is recommended for assessing the phenology of non-breeders and prospectors at colonies.

Monitoring parrot populations is of high importance because there is a general lack of quantified population trends for one of the most threatened avian orders. We surveyed parrots in Nicaragua in 1995, 1999, 2004, and 2013 at a minimum of 227 points within 56 sites stratified among the Pacific, Central Highlands, and Caribbean biogeographical regions to assess population trends. From point-count data we calculated encounter rate, flock rate, and flock size metrics and we used presence/absence data to generate species-specific occupancy estimates. Encounter rate, flock rate, and flock size data suggested family-level declines from 1995 to 2004 with some recovery between 2004 and 2013. Patterns of parrot occupancy varied among species with four decreasing, five increasing, and two with no detectable change. Six species of conservation concern are identified, including the Critically Endangered Great Green Macaw and Yellow-naped Parrot, additionally Olive-throated Parakeet, Scarlet Macaw, Brown-hooded Parrot, and White-crowned Parrot, only listed as Least Concern. All six are likely suffering from deforestation and potential unchecked trade activity in the Caribbean. Differing population trends of the regionally disjunct Yellow-naped Parrot subspecies suggest a link to variable deforestation and trade pressure experienced between the Pacific and Caribbean. Our results highlight the importance of actively monitoring changing parrot populations, even when considered Least Concern, so that directed conservation actions can be taken if needed.

Understanding the types of movements exhibited by a threatened species is paramount for creating conservation and management strategies. The Campo Miner (Geositta poeciloptera) is a threatened obligate grassland bird endemic to the South American Cerrado. Literature disagrees about its movement ecology, with authors suggesting strategies as contradictory as residency and nomadism. The species requires short and sparse grass cover to breed and seems to be associated with fires, tracking recently burned grassland patches. We studied the movement ecology of marked Campo Miners for seven years, integrating our results with information from citizen science data, museum specimens, and the literature. After investigating every main movement strategy exhibited by bird populations, we found no evidence of regular migration in the species (e.g. altitudinal, short- or long-distance). The Campo Miner is a resident species with territorial behaviour restricted to the breeding season, which apparently results in seasonal variation in its detectability, biasing our perception about its seasonal abundance and distribution. We propose a theoretical framework for understanding local movements in the species, which predicts that Campo Miners: (1) establish their territories at the beginning of the breeding season in patches of suitable habitat; (2) stop defending their territories after the breeding season; (3) stay during the non-breeding season in their home ranges, also wandering across neighbouring home ranges; (4) abandon their home ranges if the grass cover becomes high and dense or when a better quality habitat patch becomes available, using fires as a cue for locating recently burned patches that will soon

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.

Adult sex ratios (ASRs) have proved to correlate with population trends, which make them potential useful indicators of a species’ population trajectory and conservation status. We analysed ASRs and proportion of juveniles in flocks of an endangered steppe bird, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax, using surveys made during the non-breeding period in seven areas within its Western European range (one in Portugal, four in Spain, and two in France). We found overall male-biased ASRs, as all the seven surveyed areas showed a male-biased ASR mean value. Five areas were below the threshold median value (female sex ratio = 0.4) considered to be consistent with an increased probability of extinction, according to earlier population viability analyses for the species. We also found a significant positive correlation between female ratio and the proportion of young individuals in the non-breeding flocks surveyed. Our results (strongly male-biased ASRs) support the hypothesis that the viability of Little Bustard populations in Western Europe is threatened by an excess of female mortality, something that should be quantified in the future, and emphasise the value of monitoring sex ratio as a population viability indicator in species where monitoring survival is difficult to achieve.