In 1991, conservation biologist Jaime Ramos was doing his fieldwork for his doctoral studies to understand the mysterious Azores bullfinch.
There, something captivated him. There was gentle patter, yet it wasn’t raining. It was the sound of lily-of-the-valley fruit husks hitting the leaves below.
This peculiar sound signaled the presence of the elusive bird, busy de-husking fruit to reach the seeds.
From this auditory clue, Ramos managed to locate the bird in the dense forest. Then, he observed the bird’s foraging habits.
Around that time, there was little information about the bird. The Azores bullfinch is a type of passerine bird exclusive to São Miguel Island in the Azores.
People at the University of the Azores and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK recognized the bird’s situation. At that time, they estimated only around 100 breeding pairs were left.
With that fact in mind, Ramos dedicated his doctoral work to unraveling the Azores bullfinch’s behaviors. In 1995, he published a crucial study in Biological Conservation focusing on its diet and habitat preferences.
In that study, and following research, Ramos revealed the bird’s role in dispersing spores. He also emphasized its significance in the natural regeneration of the forest.
In 2005, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) labeled the Azores bullfinch as “critically endangered.”
The IUCN also marked it as “Europe’s most endangered passerine bird.”
In response, there were dedicated conservation efforts concentrated on habitat restoration. Over around two decades, the attempts have led to a remarkable recovery.
Today, the Azores bullfinch’s resurgence brings pride to the local community.
At the same time, it attracts global attention from researchers and tourists keen on witnessing its conservation success.
Safeguarding the Azores bullfinch
The bird, locally known as priolo, faced threats in the 19th century. One of the threats came from farmers who thought of it as a pest in orange orchards.
Other human activities like other types of agriculture and the introduction of non-native species further pushed away its habitat.
Ramos, the first to delve into the bird’s ecology, shaped a conservation plan based on his observations. He specifically emphasized habitat restoration as it was crucial to conservation efforts.
Since 2003, the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) has led a habitat restoration program. The organization has planted native trees with support from the European Union’s LIFE program and the Azores government.
Azucena de la Cruz, a conservation biologist at SPEA, notes the importance of planting native trees closely together.
Other than preventing invasive plants, the planting leads to the creation of a nursery cultivating saplings of various native species.
Through this initiative, over 1,000 acres of laurel forest have been restored in the Pico da Vara/Ribeira do Guilherme area. The initiative has also been safeguarded under local and European legislation.
The Azores bullfinch population, now estimated at around 1,300 individuals, spans nearly 5,000 acres of suitable habitat in this region.
Despite facing threats from invasive mammals and human activities, the population has thankfully remained stable for the past eight years.
Continuous efforts for the bird
The EU has funded SPEA’s ongoing efforts through its LIFE program. The efforts have extended beyond habitat restoration to encompass the conservation of the Azores bullfinch and its habitat.
There are challenges for SPEA still, including the need for continued funding. But, de la Cruz remains optimistic as biodiversity preservation alongside nature tourism is important.
Other than habitat restoration, SPEA has prioritized public outreach, inaugurating the Priolo Environmental Center in 2007.
A comprehensive education program tailored to school students has engaged over 30,000 individuals, fostering a sense of connection to the bird.
João Mendonça, who assisted in constructing the center, confirms the changing mindset. “Now, everybody cares about the bird and wants to see it,” Mendonça said.
SPEA’s outreach efforts have made a tangible impact, with people feeling more connected to the Azores bullfinch.
Luis Pacheco, leading tours at the environmental center, highlights the diverse visitors, including students from California, Germany, and Malta.
The success story of the Azores bullfinch serves as a hope amidst current concerns about disappearing species.
SPEA hopes that this effort could lead to a broader impact. De la Cruz hopes that this story inspires others worldwide to adapt similar strategies for species preservation.
Birds at risk of extinction
Such continuous efforts are important for threatened birds. Especially as a new concerning report reveals that over 100 European bird species are nearing extinction.
Factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and agriculture have been the main contributors.
Azores bullfinch isn’t the only one with risks. The report says that common birds are also facing threats that push them closer to being threatened.
A third of Europe’s birds have experienced a decline in the past few decades. According to the report, one in five species now is on the brink of extinction.
Conservation organization BirdLife International has released The European Red List of Birds. It paints a bleak picture of the current state of birds in Europe.
Efforts have come about since the first red list in 2015. Despite that, however, the situation doesn’t seem to improve.
Some experts have stated that the red list hasn’t helped with conservation at all.
Since 2015, substantial time, money, and resources have been invested in European bird conservation. Unfortunately, the impact hasn’t met expectations.
Now, some interventions understandably take time. However, the others prove to be inadequate.
Iconic UK species like the eider duck have regrettably been classified as Endangered in Europe. In fact, some experts say that the rook is now Vulnerable.
The updated European Red List of Birds reveals that of the 544 bird species in Europe, 71 are threatened with extinction. In addition, 34 are now Near Threatened.
Basically, the current status underscores the severity of the situation.
In the continent, there are only an estimated 11 adults left of lapwing. Furthermore, Critically Endangered Balearic shearwater is only found in Europe and will be lost forever if there’s no intervention.
Birds with more challenges
Due to agricultural intensification which damages habitats and food sources, farmland and grassland birds are the groups that are most threatened.
Additionally, marine and wetland birds also face challenges linked to changes in land use.
Tackling this issue is by no means easy; it requires collaborative efforts to interfere with the current situation.
Success stories, as we know from the Azores bullfinch, have happened.
Moreover, thanks to conservation efforts, the red kite has become a common sight across the UK and Europe. The species has moved from Near Threatened to Least Concern.
However, challenges persist in bird populations.
Birds, despite their visibility, are challenging to count accurately, and there are still gaps in knowledge.
Cooperation between European countries is crucial because birds don’t recognize geological borders.
The report calls for collective action, urging European governments to collaborate in protecting birds across the continent.
Claire Rutherford at BirdLife Europe stated that solutions exist, including large-scale restoration work and safeguarding remaining natural habitats.
By doing so, we can help birds survive and, at the same time, ensure the well-being of humanity.
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