Galapagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis)

Species information

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Threats

The most likely cause of the historical decline of the Galapagos hawk is persecution by humans, which continues today on a few islands (2). Competition for food with introduced predators such as cats is also a serious problem in some areas, particularly on the largest island, Isabella (2). The fact that this species is restricted to the Galapagos Islands, and has a small overall population, makes it inherently vulnerable. Although the population seems to be stable at present, if there be a further decline in numbers, the IUCN Red List status of the species should be upgraded to Endangered (1).

Conservation

The Galapagos hawk is protected from international trade by its listing under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (4). It has been protected by Ecuadorian law since 1959. Much of the Galapagos Islands are classed as a national park and a marine reserve, and the archipelago was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 (2). Ecological work into each population of the species is underway, which will enable effective conservation measures to be taken (2).