Abundance, distribution and breeding success of the endemic Gough Island Finch Rowettia goughensis between 2009 and 2018

Research reveals that the Critically Endangered Gough Island Finch (Rowettia goughensis) maintains a stable population of approximately 1,917 individuals (95% CI: 1550–2500) across Gough and Inaccessible Islands, with no significant change in upland habitat density between 2009 and 2018. Nest survival rates remained consistent at 55%, while fecundity averaged 1.31 fledglings per pair in 2018. Habitat-specific surveys identified higher densities in moorland (55.4 birds/km²) and wet heath (29.5 birds/km²), compared to coastal tussock (10.9 birds/km²) and lowland fern bush (2.6 birds/km²). This population estimate serves as a critical baseline ahead of the planned 2021 eradication of invasive house mice (Mus musculus), though increased monitoring will be necessary to detect smaller post-eradication changes.

Jones, C. W., Risi, M. M., Osborne, A. M., Parker, G. C., Rexer-Huber, K., Le Bouard, F., Cleeland, J. B., Lawrence, K., Kinchin-Smith, D., Witcutt, E., Starnes, T., Bond, A. L., Ryan, P. G., & Oppel, S. (2020). Abundance, distribution and breeding success of the endemic Gough Island Finch Rowettia goughensis between 2009 and 2018. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 120(3), 230–238. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2020.1773859