Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a very small population, susceptible to a variety of threats. It has sustained population increases in recent years owing to intensive conservation efforts. However, with an estimated carrying capacity of only c.1,000 individuals on Mauritius, it is always likely to have a very small population and remain at risk.

Family/Sub-family Falconidae

Species name author Temminck, 1821

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 20-26 cm. Small, chestnut-and-white falcon. Male noticeably smaller than female. Rich warm brown to chestnut upperparts, with black crescentic markings on wings and mantle. Gleaming white underparts with bold, black heart-shaped blotchings. In flight, wings relatively rounded and long, thin tail. Voice Repeated toee tooee or shorter tooit tooit.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

800 - 1,000

increasing

160 km²

Yes

Range & population Falco punctatus, restricted to Mauritius, has undergone a spectacular recovery from just four wild birds (including one breeding pair¹⁴) in 1974^9,14. By the end of the 1994 breeding season there were an estimated 222-286 birds in the population, following a successful recovery programme launched in 1973¹³. At the end of the 1999-2000 season, there were 145-200 breeding pairs and a total population of 500-800 individuals⁸, divided into three subpopulations on mountain chains in the north, east and south-west of Mauritius⁷. The population continues to grow, but remains dependent on conservation measures in the eastern mountain chain¹¹. The latest population estimate is 800-1,000 individuals^12,14, but only the east coast population has been monitored since 1988, due to lack of funds¹².

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Its primary habitat was native, evergreen, subtropical forests, but captive-bred birds have shown greater tolerance for degraded and open areas^2,6. It preys mainly on endemic arboreal Phelsuma day-geckos, as well as small birds, insects, and introduced mice and shrews^5,10. It traditionally nests in volcanic rock-cavities, and probably tree-holes, within forest territories^5,10, but now even breeds in a few suburban areas⁷.

Threats Deforestation by early colonists initiated declines - less than 3% of original forest now remains¹. More recent declines appear related to organochloride pesticide-use in the 1950s and 1960s in agriculture and to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes^3,9. Black rats Rattus rattus, crab-eating macaques Macaca fascicularis, small Indian mongooses Herpestes auropunctatus and feral cats are all introduced predators of eggs, young or adults^1,8.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II. A recovery programme, at first concentrating on research, was initiated in 1973¹³. From 1984 to 1994, an intensive management programme significantly increased population numbers. Activities included captive propagation and restocking, supplementary feeding, nest-site enhancement, provision of nest boxes, nest guarding, control of predators around nest- and release-sites, clutch manipulations, brood manipulations, treatment of parasite infestations on chicks and the rescue of eggs/young from failing nests⁸. In the late 1980s, the species was re-introduced into the Bambous mountain range by release of captive-reared birds, and subsequent evidence suggests that there was no discernable difference between the survival rate of these birds and those bred in the wild¹³. Since 1994, there has been no release of captive-bred birds⁶ and little active conservation management⁷, although provision of nest-boxes and monitoring of survival and productivity continue¹⁴. A few pairs still receive supplementary food to enable detailed behavioural studies and for public relations purposes⁸. Research is ongoing into genetic variation so that populations can be managed to preserve genetic diversity^4,7,11. In October 2005, it was announced that plans for the construction of a highway through the east coast mountains' Important Bird Area of Mauritius had been cancelled, with a different route to be used¹⁵. The construction of the highway would have damaged the south-eastern forest, home to about half the species's world population, centred around Ferney Valley, which is now to become a nature reserve¹⁵.

Conservation measures proposed Continue detailed population and ecological studies⁸, particularly using molecular techniques to monitor population size¹¹. Eventually, consider translocating birds to islands such as Réunion, although not until the endangered reptile populations on those islands are secure elsewhere⁸.

References 1. Cade and Jones (1993). 2. Carter and Jones (1999). 3. Cheke (1987a). 4. Groombridge et al. (2000). 5. Jones (1987). 6. Jones (1998). 7. Jones and Swinnerton (1997). 8. C. Jones in litt. (2000). 9. Safford and Jones (1997). 10. Temple (1977). 11. Groombridge et al. (2001). 12. Mauritian Wildlife Foundation in litt. (2006). 13. Nicoll et al. (2004). 14. Burgess (2005). 15. Anon. (2006).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International), Ben Warren (BirdLife International)

Contributors Carl Jones (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation), Vikash Tatayah (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Falco punctatus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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