Identifying areas with a high risk of collision with wind turbines is crucial for the conservation of large soaring birds. However, studies often rely on different wind turbine data sources, and the effect of this heterogeneity on collision risk estimation remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we combined GPS and accelerometer data from six Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus tracked in Sardinia (Italy) with three wind turbine data sets differing in accuracy and completeness. We estimated the vultures’ foraging grounds and calculated collision risk using each data set, including one based on aerial imagery (unbiased), one from OpenStreetMap (OSM), and a third from published literature. Results showed that turbines mapped from aerial imagery overlapped with 18.7% of foraging areas, compared with 8.7% using OSM and 15.9% using the third data set. Projections including planned wind farms indicated that 31.4% of current foraging grounds will become at risk. These findings demonstrate that wind turbine data sources significantly influence estimates of collision risk. The need for reliable, accessible, and regularly updated turbine maps to support effective conservation planning, guide mitigation actions such as selective shutdowns, and monitor cumulative impacts over time are highlighted.

Assessing changes in species trophic ecology over a large timescale is essential not only to measure how anthropogenic impacts modify ecological processes but also to measure the effectiveness of wildlife conservation actions. The North Island (NI) and South Island (SI) Saddlebacks, or tīeke, Philesturnus rufusater and P. carunculatus, respectively, are two of the species undergoing the most effective conservation actions in Aotearoa New Zealand after large-scale management of introduced mammals and successful translocation of individuals. Here we used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen to determine isotopic niche metrics and assess whether the trophic ecologies of NI and SI saddlebacks differ over time. We sampled contour feathers from 33 NI saddleback (spanning 1880–2011) and 36 SI saddleback (spanning 1826–2012) specimens, dividing them into three temporal groups for analysis, i.e. historical, bottleneck, and post-translocation periods. The isotopic niche widths of both saddleback species differed significantly between the temporal groups, with different trends for each species. The NI saddleback showed an expansion in the post-translocation period niche width, indicating this species was probably on the verge of complete collapse after the intensification of anthropogenic impacts in New Zealand. In contrast, the SI saddleback showed a contraction in the post-translocation period niche width, which may reflect a less diverse habitat in terms of food resources. This demonstrates that conservation measures, although successful in terms of population re-establishment, could not completely restore the historical trophic niche of this endangered species. Additionally, SI saddlebacks had higher stable isotope values than NI saddlebacks, suggesting that the two species differ in their trophic ecology. We demonstrated that ecological metrics of successful conservation actions can also be measured through stable isotope analysis of museum specimens, in addition to providing information that supplements current knowledge of the species.

The Black-fronted Piping-Guan Pipile jacutinga is an important seed disperser in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay but has been extirpated from several regions within its original range. Identifying key areas with a high probability of species presence is essential for guiding conservation actions, such as reintroductions. Our goal was to update the potential distribution of the Black-fronted Piping-Guan and identify environmentally suitable areas for reintroduction. We used secondary data (2009–2021) from literature sources and researchers (N = 64), as well as from citizen science platforms (N = 143), along with eight environmental variables (e.g. topographic, vegetation). We applied the maxent algorithm to build a Species Distribution Model (SDM). We identified suitable areas exceeding a minimum size threshold of 208 km², calculated by combining the average population density (1.51 individuals/km²) with the estimated minimum population size needed to maintain long-term viability. The SDM performed well statistically (AUC = 0.973 ± 0.006; TSS = 0.876 ± 0.071), indicating 73,802 km² as suitable for the species, primarily in two regions, i.e. Serra do Mar and Misiones. This area represents only 6.9% of the species’ original distribution. We identified 15 suitable areas larger than the minimum threshold, nine of which have no recent records of the species but are near forested areas where the species still occurs. Together, these areas cover 53,435 km², with 33.4% (17,838 km²) under protection. Suitable areas without recent Black-fronted Piping-Guan records may be considered potential reintroduction sites, although local factors such as hunting pressure and resource availability should be assessed to confirm their short-, medium-, and long-term viability. The SDM and identified suitable areas should be integrated into conservation planning for the species, providing strategic guidance for its reintroduction and long-term persistence.

The current biodiversity crisis makes ecological restoration increasingly important. Psittaciformes is one of the most threatened avian orders and the illegal wildlife trade is a leading threat. This threat, coupled with the presence of thousands of confiscated parrots from the trade, provide a mixture of challenges and opportunities. Unfortunately, release of wildlife from the trade can be technically challenging as many lack the basic skills needed to survive in the wild. In addition, most of the documented releases of confiscated parrots have had relatively low success rates, suggesting a need for innovative release techniques. Free-flight training was developed by parrot owners to fly hand-raised parrots outdoors. In this study, we use free flight training to raise and release 18 fledging-aged, Yellow-crowned Amazons Amazona ochrocephala to test if free-flight training can provide young psittacines with the necessary skills to survive in the wild. We also used intense community engagement to encourage local support. Upon release, 100% of birds used project feeders, 100% showed good flock cohesion, and 94% showed good site fidelity. At one month post release 94% of the birds were still returning to the feeders with 89% at three months and 72% at one year. Two birds were recaptured and the final fate of four are unknown. Predators were scarce and no attacks or predation events were witnessed, but birds showed appropriate reactions to predators, and there was no direct evidence of predation. The community outreach was also successful as information from local people helped recover two birds and reduce negative interactions with locals. This research joins the body of evidence that young parrots trained using free-flight techniques have high site fidelity, group cohesion, and survival rates. This suggests that free-flight training is effective for reintroducing young parrots, especially when trying to establish core flocks at new release sites.

Subspecies classification plays a critical role in understanding evolutionary processes and informing conservation strategies. In the western Mediterranean, the European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur is traditionally divided into two subspecies: S. t. turtur, which breeds across most of Europe, and S. t. arenicola, which occurs in North Africa and parts of southern Europe. However, the validity of this subspecific distinction remains controversial. Here, we test the validity of this classification by integrating morphometric and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from populations sampled across their breeding ranges, including mainland Europe, UK, North Africa, and the Canary and Balearic Islands (Spain). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) revealed no statistically significant morphometric differences between subspecies, with a strong overlap in key traits such as wing, tail, and tarsus length. Mitochondrial haplotypes formed a star-like network with no geographical structuring or lineage exclusivity. AMOVA and pairwise Fst analyses showed no genetic differentiation between subspecies, and variation was greater within S. t. turtur populations than between previously proposed subspecies. Our findings suggest that the current subspecific classification of European Turtle-dove may not be supported by genetic or morphometric evidence. Instead, the observed homogeneity could be attributed to on-going gene flow facilitated by dispersal during migration or a relatively recent shared evolutionary history. These results have important implications for the conservation management of western Mediterranean breeding populations, particularly in relation to hunting regulations. We advocate for an integrative approach using genomic and ecological data to reassess subspecies boundaries in S. turtur and ensure evidence-based conservation strategies.