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Rapid response helps the sociable lapwing

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Wednesday 1st April 2009

Sociable lapwing

Reporting on the findings of a joint survey by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Syrian Society for Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW), Birdlife International has revealed that the sociable lapwing, one of the worlds most threatened bird species, is facing a major threat from hunting.

The plight of this species has been known about since the early half of the last century, with records over the period 1930 to 1960 indicating a catastrophic decline of 40 percent in the breeding colonies of northern Kazakhstan. Since then, the sociable lapwings numbers have continued to plummet, while its breeding range, which extends across northern Kazakhstan and neighbouring parts of Russia, has shown a significant contraction. Despite dedicated scientific study, the exact cause of the sociable lapwings decline has proven elusive. Several theories have been proposed, including loss of steppe grassland nesting habitat and nest predation by rooks (Corvus frugilegus), but conclusive evidence is lacking.

As a migratory species, the sociable lapwing makes an impressive journey from its summer breeding grounds to wintering sites in Israel, Eritrea, Sudan and north-west India. Those flocks heading for Africa may stop off en route in countries such as Syria, and it is here that they have been encountering problems. The recent RSPB-SSCW survey found that, alarmingly, migrating sociable lapwings were being targeted by Syrian hunters. In response, the Syrian government rapidly deployed rangers to negotiate with the hunters, who agreed to cease hunting the bird once informed of its rarity.

Having stemmed this threat to the sociable lapwing for the time being, the priority is now to control hunting across all of the birds migratory routes, and to initiate measures to aid its recovery. Such action requires international cooperation, and therefore, on the 30th March, 2009, a sociable lapwing summit was held in Kazakhstan which was attended by conservationists from Europe, Africa and Asia. The discussions should hopefully lead to comprehensive action plans to ensure the survival of this imperilled species.

The sociable lapwing is one of 190 Critically Endangered bird species included in the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. This programme is spearheading conservation efforts for these species, delivering conservation action through the appointment of Species Guardians and receiving funding from donations by Species Champions. Here are some other charismatic, threatened birds receiving support:

Seychelles paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina)

image: Male Seychelles paradise-flycatcher

Endemic to the Seychelles, this rare and enigmatic species has suffered major declines due to clearance of forest habitat for urban development and coconut plantations. Thankfully, the creation of a small reserve, along with public awareness programmes, appears to be helping the Seychelles paradise-flycatcher to recover.

Araripe manakin (Antilophia bokermanni)

The beautiful Araripe manakin is currently under threat from habitat loss and degradation as a result of human encroachment for development and recreation, and clearance for agriculture. Fortunately, efforts are underway to establish a fully protected area for this severely threatened species, and hopefully reverse its decline.

Blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis)

One of the rarest parrot species, historical collection of blue-throated macaw individuals for the pet trade has been so intensive that, until its rediscovery in 1992, it was thought to be extinct in the wild. Sadly its rarity has made it more desirable to collectors, and despite a ban on international trade, a black market trafficking continues. Fortunately several conservation organisations are working to protect the blue-throated macaw and bring it back from the brink of extinction.

Dwarf olive ibis (Bostrychia bocagei)

image: Dwarf olive ibis resting on branch, dorsal view

Restricted to the island of Sao Tom窠off the coast of Gabon in West Africa, the worlds smallest ibis faces the dual threats of habitat loss and predation from introduced mammals. As yet, the dwarf olive ibis' forest habitat remains unprotected, but once a new law concerning gazetting of protected areas and protecting species is ratified, action can be taken to preserve this species and its habitat.

Visit MyARKive to see a selection of videos and images in the Critically Endangered Birds scrapbook