Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group
The goal of the Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) is to promote the conservation and recovery of endemic and threatened birds of the Caribbean, through collaborative monitoring, research, education, outreach, capacity-building and implementation of effective policy, legislation and management.”
Over 50% of the Caribbean’s nearly 350 resident bird species are endemic to the region. Of these more than 171 endemic species, 25% are threatened with extinction. Additionally, at least 3 non-endemic resident species are also threatened, meaning over 13% of the Caribbean’s resident avifauna is considered globally threatened according to the IUCN Red List. The Caribbean also hosts many threatened migratory species, with at least 12 species seasonally visiting the region. What is more, the majority of endemic species that are not currently at risk of extinction have populations that are declining. The region’s birds are threatened by several factors (invasive species, habitat loss, overexploitation and climate change) and they require conservation actions and monitoring activities, if we are to prevent future extinctions. This working group aims to provide support for its members as they work to conserve our region’s most threatened bird species.
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Explore the endemic and threatened species in the Complete Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies.
Current and Future Activities
The Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) was revived in 2017, with a renewed focus on endemic birds. The re-launch of the group was galvanized by the involvement of current members in a Special Issue on The Status of Caribbean Forest Endemics published by the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology in 2017. This publication arose from symposiums on the conservation of Caribbean forest-dependent endemic birds at the BirdsCaribbean Conference in Jamaica in 2015 and subsequently at the North American Ornithological Congress (NAOC) in 2016.
In 2019, the group merged with the BC’s Alliance for Zero Extinction Working Group (AZEWG). This was on the basis that the AZE is a programme developed to safeguard Endangered or Critically Endangered species that are restricted to a single remaining site.
Current ETSWG activities include maintaining a database of the regional conservation activities being undertaken on endemic and threatened species. We are also supporting and facilitating discussions between group members to develop proposals for upcoming regional funding opportunities.
Areas for future activities include:
- Developing mechanisms to share information and resources between researchers and practitioners.
- Identifying funding sources and facilitating collaborations between members and the wider BirdsCaribbean community.
- Working with the Bird Monitoring Working Group to develop monitoring protocols for endemic species.
Working Group Member Activities
Journal of Caribbean Ornithology Endemics Special Edition
Reports from North American Ornithological Conference (NAOC) presentations:
NAOC 2020: An Extraordinary Online Experience for the Caribbean and Beyond
BirdsCaribbean at the NAOC VI—Largest Gathering of Bird Brains Ever
Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Takes a Virtual Flight from the Nest
Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2020 “From the Nest” virtual campaign – visit our webpage and learn about 50 Caribbean endemic birds, including colouring pages, puzzles, activities and more.
Endemic Birds of the West Indies Colouring Book – (BirdsCaribbean 2020) features “feathery facts” on 50 endemic birds, colouring tips and key, background information on endemic birds and the threats they face, and how kids can help.
Conociendo las aves endémicas (Getting to know the endemic birds) CEBF Webinar – presented by ETWSG and BirdsCaribbean Board member Adrianne Tossas on Puerto Rico’s endemic birds, as part of BirdsCaribbean’s 2020 Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.
Challenges and Opportunities for Caribbean Endemic Bird Conservation – webinar by Howard Nelson and Ellie Devenish-Nelson for the Linnean Society, December 2020:
Contacts
The Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group is co-chaired by Dr. Howard Nelson (Fauna and Flora International, University of Cambridge) and Dr. Ellie Devenish-Nelson (University of Edinburgh). Please contact our committee co-chairs (see below) if you would like further information on our activities, or are interested in getting involved. To join our Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) listserve, visit this page.
Howard earned his BSc. and MPhil. in Zoology at the University of the West Indies – St Augustine, and a dual PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Much of his research focuses on wildlife conservation and forest and protected areas policy, planning and management in the Caribbean. Howard was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Conservation Manager for the Asa Wright Nature Centre, an environmental policy specialist in Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of the Environment, and the former lead of the UWI-St. Augustine’s Regional MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development. He is currently a Lecturer in Conservation Leadership at Fauna and Flora International and an Affiliate Lecturer at the University of Cambridge. Howard attended his first Society meeting in 1992 in Puerto Rico. He has had an active history serving on BirdsCaribbean’s board for many years, including as President and Past-President.
Ellie completed her PhD in Ecology at Durham University, and previously studied for an MSc in Conservation at University College London and a BSc in Zoology at the University of Leeds. She has worked as an ecological consultant at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the University of Chester, modelling climate change impacts on dry forest habitats in Grenada and taught for the University of the West Indies MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Caribbean. Ellie has broad research interests in the ecology and conservation of island species. She is currently a Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, for the MSc in Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health. Ellie’s first Society meeting was in Tobago in 2003 and she has been a member of the BirdsCaribbean International Meetings Scientific Committee for several years.