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Landbird Conservation Program
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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Galapagos Shipping Procedures for Fishing Activities Improved
03.30.18 March 30, 2018 Following the discovery of an illegal shipment of 3,600 sea... More >
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163 Tortoises Repatriated to Cinco Cerros, Isabela Island
01.29.18 January 26, 2018 Park rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate... More >
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Continued recovery of Pinzón Island: The result of the eradication of black rats in 2012
01.05.18 January 5, 2018 The restoration of Pinz n Island continues following the successful... More >
Latest Blog Posts
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Sharing the Riches of the Charles Darwin Foundation´s Library with the World
By guest author Patricia Lehar, Head Librarian at the Charles Darwin Foundation.... More >
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Floreana: A Paradise Waiting to be Restored
Island Conservation s Restoration Specialist and Wildlife Veterinarian Paula... More >
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Protecting Galapagos from Invasive Ants: My work with the ABG
By Erika Guerrero of the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency. I am a young professional... More >
