Conservation status of landbirds on Floreana: the smallest inhabited Galápagos Island

A comprehensive survey of landbirds on Floreana, the smallest inhabited island in the Galápagos, reveals alarming declines and extirpations among its avian species. Of the 22 originally occurring landbirds, at least 10 have been lost or likely extirpated since human settlement, primarily due to introduced mammals, habitat destruction, and direct persecution in the 19th century, as well as the parasitic fly Philornis downsi since 1960. While some species like Small Ground-Finches and Small Tree-Finches maintain stable populations comparable to other Galápagos islands, others such as Medium Tree-Finches are confined to a mere 24 km² in the highlands. The study underscores the urgent need for strategies to mitigate the impact of P. downsi, alongside habitat management and restoration, to preserve Floreana's remaining landbird populations.

Dvorak, M., Nemeth, E., Wendelin, B., Herrera, P., Mosquera, D., Anchundia, D., Sevilla, C., Tebbich, S., & Fessl, B. (2017). Conservation status of landbirds on Floreana: the smallest inhabited Galápagos Island. Journal of Field Ornithology, 88(2), 132–145. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofo.12197