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PROJECT: |
Landbird Conservation Program |
PARTNERS: |
Galapagos National Park Directorate; Charles Darwin Foundation |
STATUS: |
Funded in 2013; ongoing |
Medium ground finch © Giovanni Sonsini.
Overview
Existing knowledge about Galapagos landbirds, including their population sizes, health, and breeding success, is currently incomplete. In recent years, populations of several species — including the Vermilion flycatcher, Warbler finch, woodpecker finch, mangrove finch, and small, medium, and large tree finches — have declined on some islands, and some have even gone extinct. The reasons for these declines are not completely understood, although the biggest threat to landbirds is the invasive fly, Philornis downsi, a parasite that feeds on the blood of nestlings and causes very high levels of fledgling mortality. Declining Galapagos landbird species may also be in competition with the introduced Smooth-billed ani and may suffer from predation by introduced mammals, such as rats and cats. Habitat changes and diseases such as avian pox may also be impacting these birds.
Researchers and collaborators are currently evaluating the status of landbirds in the archipelago and developing strategies to detect species declines in a timely manner. They are also carrying out studies on the ecology of little-known species with the aim of developing plans for protecting the most threatened species of birds. Various control methods for Philornis downsi are also being developed and tested in Galapagos.
Read the September 2012 Galapagos Landbird Conservation Plan by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park Directorate.
Latest Updates:
August 2016 study | Rearing Larvae of the Avian Nest Parasite, Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae), on Chicken Blood-Based Diets by CDF researchers Lahuette et al, Journal of Insect Science.
May 2015 study | Philornis downsi, An Avian Nest Parasite Invasive to the Galapagos Islands, in Mainland Ecuador by Bulgarella et al, Annals of the Entomological Society of America.
Latest News
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Sierra Negra Volcano Erupts on Isabela Island, Galapagos
06.27.18 June 27, 2018 On June 26, 2018, scientists from the Geophysical Institute of... More >
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La Cumbre Volcano Erupts on Fernandina Island, Galapagos
06.16.18 June 16, 2018 The La Cumbre volcano, located on Fernandina Island in the western... More >
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Galapagos tortoises returned home following trafficking attempt to Peru
06.14.18 June 14, 2018 After a lengthy stay in Peru following a wildlife trafficking... More >
Latest Blog Posts
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Checking Up on the Young Tortoises on Santa Fe Island
By guest author and GC Adjunct Scientist Dr. James Gibbs of the State University... More >
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Promoting Healthy Pets and Responsible Pet Ownership in Galapagos
By guest author Elsa Kohlbus, Program Director of Animal Balance. On an island... More >
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Conservation of the Vermilion Flycatcher: Studying the causes of its decline
By guest author C lina Leuba, Master’s student from the University of... More >
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