{"title":"Assessing the trade of Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus in the USA","authors":"S. Nelson, C. Shepherd","doi":"10.1017/S0959270923000096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270923000096","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The trade in Asian songbirds is contributing to declining populations of many species in the wild. The Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus is a popular songbird endemic to Asia that is traded both domestically and internationally. The songbird trade in the USA, particularly involving Asian songbirds, has not been well studied. We hypothesised that despite Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II regulations, Chinese Hwamei are traded illegally in the USA. We scrutinised the CITES Trade Database, US seizure and confiscation records, publicly available records, and websites to assess the imports and availability of Chinese Hwamei in the USA. Since the species was first listed in CITES Appendix II in 2000, there have been three reports of Chinese Hwamei imports into the USA, one of which included four live birds, compared with approximately 40 records of illegally imported birds. Online advertisements of Chinese Hwamei for sale show that both wild-caught and captive-bred birds are easily available. We believe this indicates that there is both legal and illegal trade of the species in the USA. Based on these findings we concluded that more research into the songbird trade, and specifically songbird trade in the USA, is warranted. We recommend additional assessments of CITES and non-CITES songbird species and encourage additional species protection when illegal trade is occurring. We also recommend that the relevant authorities in the USA better scrutinise the trade in non-native songbirds and take meaningful action against anyone found unlawfully importing and trading in illegally sourced songbirds. Finally, we recommend that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species includes international trade as a threat to the Chinese Hwamei in order to raise concern and motivate action for this songbird.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44106539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Sutton, Armand Benjara, Lily-Arison Rene de Roland, R. Thorstrom, C. Mcclure
{"title":"Extensive protected area coverage and an updated global population estimate for the Endangered Madagascar Serpent-eagle Eutriorchis astur","authors":"L. Sutton, Armand Benjara, Lily-Arison Rene de Roland, R. Thorstrom, C. Mcclure","doi":"10.1017/S0959270922000508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000508","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Knowledge gaps regarding distribution, habitat associations, and population size for rare and threatened range-restricted taxa lead to uncertainty in directing conservation action. Quantifying range metrics and species–habitat associations using Species Distribution Models (SDMs) with remote-sensing habitat data can overcome these setbacks by establishing baseline estimates for biological parameters critical for conservation assessments. Area of Habitat (AOH) is a new range metric recently developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. AOH seeks to quantify inferred habitat within a species’ range to inform extinction risk assessments. Here, we used SDMs correlating occurrences with remote-sensing covariates to calculate a first estimate of AOH for the Endangered Madagascar Serpent-eagle Eutriorchis astur, and then updated additional IUCN range metrics and the current global population estimate. From these baselines we then conducted a gap analysis assessing protected area coverage. Our continuous SDM had robust predictive performance (Continuous Boyce Index = 0.835) and when reclassified to a binary model estimated an AOH = 30,121 km2, 13% less than the current IUCN range map. We estimated a global population of 533 mature individuals derived from the Madagascar Serpent-eagle AOH metric, which was within current IUCN population estimates. The current protected area network covered 95% of AOH, with the binary model identifying three additional key habitat areas as new protected area designations to fully protect Madagascar Serpent-eagle habitat. Our results demonstrated that correlating presence-only occurrences with remote-sensing habitat covariates can fill knowledge gaps useful for informing conservation action. Applying this spatial information to conservation planning would ensure almost full protected area coverage for this endangered raptor. For tropical forest habitat specialists, we recommend that potential predictors derived from remote sensing, such as vegetation indices and biophysical measures, are considered as covariates, along with other variables including climate and topography.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57155818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elouise Mayall, Lucy Groves, R. Kennerley, M. Hudson, A. Franco
{"title":"Demographic consequences of management actions for the successful reintroduction of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia to the UK","authors":"Elouise Mayall, Lucy Groves, R. Kennerley, M. Hudson, A. Franco","doi":"10.1017/S0959270922000466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000466","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Species reintroductions can be used in conservation management to increase biodiversity and aid in restoring ecosystem function. For reintroductions to be successful, it is important to identify the conditions required to establish a viable population. We developed a demographic model using Vortex10, an individual-based simulation software, to assess the long-term consequences of different management interventions on the success of the recent reintroduction of the white stork, Ciconia ciconia, to the UK. Demographic data obtained from this reintroduced population were supplemented with information from western European populations to build the models. The impact of incorporating different management actions (e.g. supplementing with captive-bred juveniles, provision of nesting platforms, and habitat improvement/supplementary feeding) on the stochastic population growth rate was assessed. Survival rates also differ depending on an individual’s migratory strategy, hence we tested the impact of having different proportions of the population as residents or migrants. Our models showed that if the British stork population adopts a fully migratory strategy, with its associated higher mortality rates, i.e. all individuals migrating to southern Europe or northern Africa, increasing the supplementation rate would not lead to a positive population growth rate. However, management actions which increased the number of fledglings per nest generated a slight positive growth rate that led to a 54.3% increase in population size after 50 years and, when combining all three management options, the population grew by 378.3%. Alternatively, if a minimum of 9% of individuals overwintered in Britain, which is likely based on field observations and tracking data, a positive growth rate can be achieved without additional management due to this behaviour’s lower mortality rates. We conclude that the British white stork population will likely be viable in the long term, but these models and projections should be updated as more demographic data on this novel population become available.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49414585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David J. Pereira, Matthew A. Gardner, M. Geary, D. J. Bell, N. Collar
{"title":"Distribution and habitat requirements of the Bahama Warbler Setophaga flavescens on Grand Bahama in 2018","authors":"David J. Pereira, Matthew A. Gardner, M. Geary, D. J. Bell, N. Collar","doi":"10.1017/S095927092200048X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S095927092200048X","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The Bahama Warbler Setophaga flavescens is restricted to Grand Bahama and Abaco in the Bahamas Islands, where in recent decades its pine forest habitat has been seriously affected by hurricanes. To assess its conservation status and determine its habitat requirements, we conducted point transects with playback and simultaneously took measurements at 464 locations in pine forest across Grand Bahama from April to June 2018. Warbler presence was predicted by taller Thatch Palms Thrinax radiata and some fire disturbance, and its absence by a higher number of needleless pines. A comparison of these habitat predictors between the combined regions where warblers were detected (Lucayan Estates and East End) vs. where they were not (West End and Freeport) also revealed that Bahama Warblers showed a marked preference for taller Thatch Palms (>140 cm) and habitat plots within the middle fire disturbance category. These findings suggest that the species is adapted to a climax pine forest habitat maintained under a standard fire regime. Our research was intended to provide a first baseline study of the warbler’s distribution and ecology on Grand Bahama, but the distribution may have radically changed following Hurricane Dorian’s devastation of the island in 2019, and the species may now only survive on Abaco. Nevertheless, ecological insights from Grand Bahama seem likely to help conservation management on Abaco, but both islands now need to be surveyed.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46084346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Zink, Elena Kmetova–Biro, Stefan Agnezy, I. Klisurov, A. Margalida
{"title":"Assessing the potential disturbance effects on the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) for European vultures research: a review and conservation recommendations","authors":"R. Zink, Elena Kmetova–Biro, Stefan Agnezy, I. Klisurov, A. Margalida","doi":"10.1017/S0959270923000102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270923000102","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Vultures are among the most threatened bird guilds on the planet and have a unique functional role within ecosystems. They are therefore subject to increasing research interest, calling for standardised study approaches and monitoring methods. The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) is rapidly gaining popularity in ecological research due to technological advances, affordability, and accessibility. This study reviews the existing peer-reviewed publications and grey literature on the responses of European vultures and other comparable species to UASs, and summarises the types of UAS use, their potential disturbance effects on vultures, and the resulting inter- and intra-specific interactions. Our goal was to assess the potential effects of UASs and to provide practical recommendations to optimise their safe use in vulture conservation and research. We acknowledge the potential of UASs to increase research efficiency and reduce research effort, time, and financial cost. Owing to the absence of sufficient data on long-term disturbance effects, we advocate the precautionary principle and offer a set of species-tailored practical recommendations to limit the potential negative effects of UASs and maximise their value in conservation management. We urge that the physiological and long-term impacts on vulture reproduction are considered and call for standardised monitoring protocols and controls on UAS use. Our conclusions and recommendations are particularly aimed at researchers working on vulture conservation and restoration projects worldwide.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49206583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Kruckenberg, S. Moonen, A. Kölzsch, Niklas Liljebäck, G. Müskens
{"title":"Migration routes and stepping stones along the western flyway of Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus)","authors":"H. Kruckenberg, S. Moonen, A. Kölzsch, Niklas Liljebäck, G. Müskens","doi":"10.1017/S0959270922000478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000478","url":null,"abstract":"Summary In 2015 and 2016 four Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus), a globally threatened species, were caught and tagged during spring migration representing nearly 10% of the entire Swedish breeding population at the time. Two of the birds were followed over more than one season. Tracking data revealed an unexpected wide network of migration corridors and staging sites. Autumn and spring migration differed by stepping-stone sites and migration speed. So far unknown key stopover sites were discovered in Denmark, northern Germany, and Sweden. By using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models, the potential areas that Lesser White-fronted Geese used during migration are described and conservation implications spotlighted. This study provides another important piece of the puzzle describing the migration of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Western Europe.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48808532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conservation of the surface-nesting Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta neglecta in the South Pacific: clarifying breeding ecology and the threat of avian ground predators","authors":"N. Carlile, T. O’Dwyer","doi":"10.1017/S0959270922000491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000491","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Understanding population dynamics and impacts on island ecology remain top priorities for the conservation management of seabirds, particularly when attempting species-recovery for island restoration. Identifying suitable nesting habitat is a keystone detail in seabird restoration which can be complicated when predator pressures impact colony productivity and population viability. The surface-nesting Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta neglecta is dispersed on remote islands through the tropics and subtropics. We examined their breeding ecology on Phillip Island, Norfolk Group in the South Pacific and considered the limitations to re-establishment at their previous breeding location on Lord Howe Island (900 km south-east). On Phillip Island, the petrels were mostly monogamous with nesting locations generally within the vicinity of the previous season’s attempts. Breeding sites were limited to sloping terrain 182–228 m above the shoreline and up to 85 m from the coast in small sub-colonies under low scrubby woodland. Based on observations of 56 pairs and data gleaned from Global Light Sensing devices, we determined that breeding (incubation and provisioning) occurs in all calendar months of the year, with a laying peak in the late austral spring. Breeding success in the first year of study was 25% but improved to 56% once management of Purple Swamphens Porphyrio melanotus was implemented. Successful nests were located at sites with naturally limited egress from cleared or lightly vegetated areas. Prudent management of the petrel population on Phillip Island could aid in the regional recovery of the species and, in the process, assist the island’s restoration by significantly increasing transfers of marine-derived nutrient. Their reintroduction to Lord Howe Island is also possible but will likely rely upon consistent productivity of the Phillip Island population for founding immigrants. Moreover, successful establishment will require adaptive management of selected sites to ensure native avian predators do not overly impact breeding.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44023217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. S. Maslovsky, Philipp N. Maleko, V. Pronkevich, Jonathan C. Slaght, A. Powell
{"title":"First nests of Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer found in over 40 years indicate nesting plasticity","authors":"K. S. Maslovsky, Philipp N. Maleko, V. Pronkevich, Jonathan C. Slaght, A. Powell","doi":"10.1017/S095927092200051X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S095927092200051X","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Knowledge of the breeding ecology of Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer is necessary to develop a comprehensive species-specific conservation plan. We found nine greenshank nests in Schaste Bay, Russian Far East during the summers of 2019–2021. These are the first nests found in over 40 years and the only discovered to date on mainland Russia. In contrast to previous nest descriptions, we found greenshanks do not exclusively nest in trees, but also place nests on the ground at the base of mature or sapling larches. Our results indicate greenshanks may be larch obligates during the breeding season, and protecting coastal larch forest ecosystems near bogs, meadows, and mudflats throughout the Russian Far East may be critical to the species’ conservation.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48591107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multi-resolution habitat models of the Puerto Rican Nightjar <i>Antrostromus noctitherus</i>","authors":"Francisco J. Vilella, Rafael González","doi":"10.1017/s0959270923000278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959270923000278","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The Puerto Rican Nightjar Antrostomus noctitherus is an endemic Caprimulgid found in dry coastal and lower montane forests of south-western Puerto Rico. Information on the species (e.g. abundance, nesting biology) has been mostly restricted to forest reserves (i.e. Guánica Forest and Susúa Forest) with limited information available from private lands. We collected stand-level vegetation structure and geographical information from forest reserves and private lands to model habitat suitability and distribution for the Nightjar. Results of the stand-level model indicated forest type and midstorey vegetation density best predicted Nightjar habitat. Our spatial model predicted considerably more Nightjar habitat (17,819.64 ha) located outside protected areas than previously reported. Further, the model highlighted several localities of importance for the species across southern Puerto Rico, all located within private lands. We used a patch occupancy approach to assess regions identified by the landscape-level model as suitable for the Nightjar and documented the presence of the species in 32 of 55 sites, located in 12 of 18 municipalities across southern Puerto Rico. The protection and restoration of forest across the southern coast of Puerto Rico would help to ensure the long-term persistence of the Nightjar across a considerable portion of its range. Addressing habitat needs may be the single most effective mechanism to achieve recovery of the species.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135441621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of suitable habitats using satellite imagery: example of the Northern Bald Ibis <i>Geronticus eremita</i> in south-eastern Turkey","authors":"Andre Schenker, Andreas Erhardt","doi":"10.1017/s0959270923000242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959270923000242","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The increase in the semi-wild Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population in Birecik, south-eastern Turkey motivated the Working Group of the Agreement on the Conservation of Africa-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) to propose the establishment of a second semi-wild Northern Bald Ibis population in Turkey. This paper presents an assessment approach that identifies potential suitable breeding sites and foraging habitats within a large geographical area of approximately 380 × 60 km (23,000 km 2 ) in south-eastern Turkey, which includes former breeding sites. This approach makes use of open-source and easily available geographical information. The structured approach is based on three key parameters, namely: (1) suitable breeding rocks; (2) suitable foraging habitats: (3) available water-bodies. This led to the identification of three potentially suitable areas around Derik and Yesilli in the Mardin province and around Yarbasi in the Sirnak province. The occurrence and spatial distribution of the three key parameters were mostly identified using Google Earth Pro 2021 within a radius of 10–20 km around the three sites. This procedure allowed an initial, cost-effective identification of potentially suitable areas, providing the basis for subsequent geographically focused comprehensive feasibility studies and on-the-ground risk assessment. However, geopolitical and pragmatic constraints may further affect and restrict a final selection of sites.","PeriodicalId":9275,"journal":{"name":"Bird Conservation International","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135750905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}