MANU and the people of the island of Fatu Hiva celebrates the success of the first Fatu Hiva Monarch chick raised from an egg under human care.

The global population of the critically endangered Fatu Hiva Monarch now stands at 18 individuals thanks to the success of the first chick raised in captivity from an egg, achieved by the Manu association and its partners. “With only three breeding females in the wild, each egg is a hope for the survival of the species,” says Chiara Ciardiello, the association’s captive breeding project manager.

In 2022, a project was launched in collaboration with Auckland Zoo to create a captive population to protect individuals from threats in the wild, particularly avian malaria and invasive predators. A breeding center was specially built on this Marquesas island, including aviaries, an equipped laboratory, and accommodation, thanks to the loan of land by a local resident, Sarah Vaki, to whom the association is eternal grateful.

In 2023, three eggs were collected, but with little success as the chicks did not survive beyond three days after hatching. No specialist had mastered the breeding of this species or any closely related species, and the “code” to successfully rear this species remained difficult to crack. Renowned specialists from Auckland Zoo, Jersey Zoo, Copenhagen Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Alliance and Zoos Victoria worked closely together in the project to find the solution needed.

In 2024, a first chick was collected five days after hatch in the wild to rescue it from falling out of a leaning nest—a delicate operation that led to the first successful rearing: the chick is now almost two years old. Finally, in June 2025, the team was confident to attempt to collect another egg, with additional specialist support from London Zoo and great progress in the results, but still the chick only survived for 10 days however provided critical insights.

At the end of October 2025, the team working on the Life Stop Extinction program collected another egg—a last-ditch effort, given how small the population has become. Carefully transported to the breeding center, the egg was placed in an incubator with controlled temperature and humidity, under close professional guidance. Five days later, a tiny chick hatched: a few grams of life, and new hope for a species that could disappear tomorrow. Every feeding, every weight change, every behavior is analyzed hour by hour, from dawn to dusk.

“Successfully rearing the first Fatu Hiva Monarch chick from artificial incubation to full independence was both an extraordinary privilege and a daunting responsibility. My training in artificial egg incubation and chick rearing from some of the leading experts, combined with survival will of this Fatu Hiva Monarch chick made this step possible” said Leilani Fowlke, that supervised the chick rearing.

Little by little, the chick grew to adult weight of 40 grams. Once it was ready to fledge, the bird left the

incubator for a small cage, under the watchful eye of the team. « Watching and supporting these chicks first flight and steps in life is extraordinary” says Stella Jørgensen, team member from Copenhagen Zoo, and continues: « the long-awaited moment of its first flight, symbolizing the culmination of a month of uninterrupted vigilance, analysis, doubts, and determination of the whole team”.

Today, the 40-day-old monarch flutters about and feeds independently! This success confirms that even in a critical situation after two years of failure, hope remains when joint efforts are combined to strengthen expertise.

Thanks to all the partners already supporting the species conservation project.

This ex-situ project is supported by the European Union through the LIFE+ Stop Extinction program, the French government (Fonds Vert), Auckland Zoo, Beauval Nature, LPO, UNIVET Nature, Zoos Victoria, Copenhagen Zoo, BirdLife International and its Species Champion Ted Reissing. The French Polynesian Environment Department has also allocated funding and authorized the captivity of the species. Several international organizations have also supported the species conservation project (EAZA Silent Forest, Marlow Bird Park, Pendl Lab, Pacific Bird Conservation, ASZK, ZGAP, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, Pacific Rim Conservation, ILM, IRD, Fondation Botiaux Dulac-Fondation de France, OFB, European Solidarity Corp). Other local organizations are also providing support, including Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, EDT Engie, and the Fatu Hiva Town Hall.

This project needs even more support in the future it includes the 5 most threatened bird species in French Polynesia in case you have any Christmas gifts left for conservation we urgently need additional co-funding for several activities for each species as well as expert knowledge and long-term and self-funded volunteers for the projects.

Direct contact for the Fatu Hiva project:

• Chiara Ciardiello, Chargée du programme de captivité du Monarque de Fatu Hiva
• Email: cchiara@manu.pf
• Website: https://manu.pf
• Facebook: Manu-SOP

Contact for international partners and general questions:

• Simon Bruslund, Copenhagen Zoo
• Email: sb@zoo.dk
• Website: https://www.zoo.dk/naturbevarelse/fransk-polynesien
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/copenhagen-zoo/posts/

Download project flyer as PDF:

Some additional facts about the Fatu Hiva Monarch:

–    The island of Fatu Iiva (85 km²), accessible only by boat, has 600 inhabitants. It is the southernmost island of the Marquesas / French Polynesia (1,100 km north of Tahiti).

–    Critically endangered species: The Fatu Hiva Monarch (Pomarea whitneyi), a territorial forest-dwelling insectivorous bird, is endemic to the island and classified as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN – Red List). Due to introduced invasive predators (black rats and cats), its population has declined by 97% in 21 years. It is now also threatened by avian malaria. Its current population is 16 individuals in the wild.

–    Distribution in Fatu Hiva: Once common throughout the island (and other Marquesan islands), it is now restricted to 29 hectares in the Tai‘u‘ Valley, in the heart of a 600-hectare predator management zone. The black rat arrived in the 1980s and spread throughout the island in less than 20 years.

–    Longevity & reproduction: The Fatu Hiva Monarch is a long-lived species, living above 20 years. Like many island species, it has a very slow reproductive biology: it begins to reproduce at around 2 to 3 years of age, lays only one egg, and both parents care for the young for 4 to 6 months.

–    Egg collection is the best strategy compared to chick collection as the wild pair can re-clutch within few weeks.

–   The Polynesian Ornithological Society (SOP Manu), founded in 1990, is the local representative of BirdLife International and has been running a conservation program dedicated to the Fatu Hiva Monarch since 2008.

Silent Forest Group is represented at the CITES CoP20 in Uzbekistan

Advocating for better protection of songbirds in international frameworks CITES is one of the most important avenues. Between November 23rd and December 5th 2025 Silent Forest will work hard to support Brazils proposal for theenclusion of the Endangered Great-billed Seed-finch (Sporophila maximiliani) in CITES Appendix I and in general for keeping songbirds on the international conservation agenda. Read about it under Songbirds @ CITES

Beautiful birds risk trade: Global study reveals how aesthetics drive wild bird exploitation for trade

A new global study finds that the visual beauty of birds – their colours and shapes – predicts which wild species are traded by people. By analysing data for over 9000 bird species, researchers discovered that the birds people find most aesthetically appealing are also more likely to appear in wildlife markets.

“The results show a correlation between a species’ aesthetic value and its likelihood of being traded, particularly in live markets, where birds are commonly sold as pets or for display.”, says Anna Haukka, lead-author of the study.

The study also found that this aesthetic-driven trade varies by region and product type. Visually attractive birds are more frequently traded alive in international markets, while domestic trade shows a weaker connection. Aesthetic appeal also influences the trade of bird products like clothing and ornaments, though it plays a lesser role in markets for meat or traditional medicine.

Beyond beauty, other factors such as body size and geographic range also contribute to a species’ trade risk. Larger birds with wider ranges are more likely to be exploited internationally, while smaller species might tend to appear more often in local markets. “Our findings highlight a troubling pattern: people’s preference for visual beauty may unintentionally increase conservation risks for certain species,” Anna Haukka said. “Parrots, colourful songbirds, and birds of prey—often considered especially beautiful—are disproportionately represented in trade, sometimes at unsustainable levels.”

Understanding drivers of demand in trade informs early conservation efforts

The authors emphasize that understanding how aesthetic appeal influences demand can help predict future trade targets and inform early conservation efforts. They also call for region-specific strategies, noting that policies like the European Union’s wild bird import ban have reshaped market dynamics and the role of aesthetics in trade.

“Perhaps it does not seem surprising that more attractive species are traded more, but the bird trade is dynamic in geography and fashion, understanding what people find attractive in birds for trade will enable us to predict which species might be targeted in the future” says Simon Bruslund from Copenhagen Zoo and coauthor of the study.

Ultimately, the study underscores a critical message: the allure of beauty can come at a steep ecological cost. By illuminating the link between aesthetics and exploitation, the research offers valuable insights for designing targeted conservation measures and demand-reduction campaigns, conservation planning and policy to protect some of the world’s most admired—and vulnerable—bird species.

The study, published in Biological Conservation, combined aesthetic ratings of birds from a questionnaire with trade information from five major international databases covering both legal and illegal trade including the Songbirds in Trade Database (SiTDB) which is co-managed by Copenhagen Zoo.

Original research article: Haukka, A., Jürgens, J., Staerk, J., Lehikoinen, A., Bruslund, S. & Santangeli, A., 2025. Aesthetic values predict bird trade, but the association varies across product types and trade regions. Biological Conservation Volume 313, 2026, 111572, ISSN 0006-3207,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111572

Infobox:

To create the aesthetic dataset for birds, over 6000 volunteers from 78 countries rated photographs of birds through the “iratebirds” online platform, producing a global “beauty score” for nearly every species. This comprehensive measure of aesthetic value goes beyond simple colourfulness to include other traits—such as crests, long tails, or elegant shapes—that humans find appealing. Combined with the unique comprehensive database SiTDB which covers both legal and illegal trade it becomes a powerful predictor of which species could be pressured by especially pet trade activities.

Image: © Simon Bruslund/Copenhagen Zoo

New Songbird Trade related publication in the journal Biological Conservation,  October 2025

Global trade in bird species monitored by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) declined significantly in the mid-2000s, a trend previously attributed to the 2005 EU import ban on wild birds. However, during 2005-2007 the global bird trade did a massive dip due to global bird-flu scare! Prior research analyses suggesting that the EU bird import ban was a conservation success did not account for Ghana’s 2007 removal of 114 bird species from CITES Appendix III, one of the largest deletion events in the history of CITES. In our study we analyzed trade data of CITES-listed species and non-CITES-listed species (including U.S. imports and global songbird trade data) to assess the effects of this deletion on reported trade patterns, examining changes in trade volumes as well as taxonomic and spatial shifts. Before their removal, deleted species comprised 70.7 % of global bird trade reported in the CITES Trade Database. After 2007, no deleted species were recorded in CITES data anymore. But our research have showed that the trade picked up again but was now “invisible” because authorities no longer documented the trade of the now un-listed birds in the CITES databases, while US imports of these species increased fourteenfold, new markets for African birds unfolded throughout Asia as well as illegally into the EU after 2006 peaking in volume between 2009 and 2014.
Our findings suggest that the EU ban contributed less to reducing global bird trade than previously reported, with Ghana’s deletion playing a major role in reported trade trends. We highlight the importance of considering changes in CITES listing, including deletions in wildlife trade research and underscore Appendix III as a tool for restricting and monitoring trade in species where unsustainable trade is a concern.

Therefore, CITES Appendix III listings really matter as source of information to understand the real scope of the wildlife trade and its effect.

Jacqueline Jürgens, Johanna Staerk, Simon Bruslund, Rikke Oegelund Nielsen, Dalia A. Conde,(2025) CITES Appendix III matters: Hidden impacts of CITES deletions on global bird trade, Biological Conservation, Volume 310, 2025, Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111365.

Text by Loretta Shepherd/Monitor, Images Simon Bruslund/Silent Forest

A recent joint Monitor (Monitor Songbird Lab) study published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research highlights a concerning trend: the rapid emergence of a trade in New Guinea’s butcherbirds (Cracticinae) in Indonesia. The research, conducted jointly with Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Lincoln Park Zoo, Copenhagen Zoo and the EAZA Silent Forest Group, underscores the urgent need for action to prevent further decline of these species in the wild.

The key findings of the study:

• Since 2016, the trade in butcherbirds has escalated significantly, with 235 butcherbirds recorded in 57 surveys across Java, Bali, and Lombok.
• The highest numbers were found in cities closer to their natural habitats, such as Mataram and Denpasar.
• Despite existing regulations, the trade in butcherbirds remains largely uncontrolled, posing a serious threat to their conservation status.

In light of these findings, the researchers make several urgent recommendations:

1. Enhanced Enforcement of Trade Regulations: The study found that current efforts to regulate the trade in butcherbirds are insufficient. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and ensuring strict compliance with existing laws is crucial. This includes monitoring both physical and online markets to curb illegal trade activities.
2. Inclusion of Butcherbirds in Protected Species List: Butcherbirds are not currently included in Indonesia’s protected species list. Given the increasing threat, it is imperative that these species be added to the list to provide them with legal protection against hunting and trade.
3. Public Awareness and Education Campaigns: Raising awareness about the conservation status of butcherbirds and the impact of the songbird trade is essential. Educational campaigns targeting hobbyists, traders, and the general public can help reduce demand and promote sustainable practices.
4. Research and Monitoring: Continuous research and monitoring are necessary to track the population trends of butcherbirds and assess the effectiveness of conservation

“The illegal and unsustainable songbird trade is major threat to the survival of a growing list of species.” said Dr Chris R. Shepherd, Executive Director of Monitor and lead author on this paper. “In Asia, Indonesia has the largest trade in illegally and unsustainably sourced songbirds, and we therefore strongly encourage the Government of Indonesia to take firm action against poachers, illegal sellers and anyone buying such species.”

“The recent emergence in popularity of the butcherbirds exemplifies the ever-growing and constantly changing demand.” said Shepherd. “Monitoring of the trade is essential to stay on top of trends and to try and reduce the threat as much as possible.”

The Monitor Conservation Research Society (Monitor) works with partners around the world to reduce the threat of illegal and unsustainable trade to songbirds and many other groups of threatened species.

All authors of this study are members of the IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group, which was established to tackle the threat of trade to Asia’s passerines.

A newly emerging trade in New Guinea’s butcherbirds (Cracticinae) in Indonesia was published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research.

Text by Chris R. Shepherd and Boyd T. C. Leupen from Monitor

All birds native to Thailand are protected under Thai law. However, illegal trade persists. In order to understand current levels of trade and to inform further efforts to end this illegal trade, a study by Monitor, TRAFFIC and the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group looks at the trade in Thailand’s native birds in the notorious Chatuchak Market has been published.

Over the years, a number of surveys have been carried out on the bird trade in this market. We analyzed unpublished trade data, gathered during 30 market surveys conducted between 2007 and 2022. We then compared these data to trade records from three published studies, accounting for a total of 131 surveys between 1966 and 2001, to determine historical trade trends. In addition, we carried out a three-month online trade survey between December 2019 and January 2020 to assess online trade levels. During the 30 market surveys, we found a total of 7,126 individuals, belonging to 145 native species, all of which are protected under Thai law. The mean numbers of recorded native birds found during these surveys (238) were much lower than the mean numbers found during surveys in the late 1960s (5,789) and late 1980s (2,233) and slightly higher than those found during surveys in the early 2000s (189), suggesting a decline in the open availability of native birds in the market over the past fifty years. This decline was found to be particularly steep from 2016 onwards, coinciding with increased enforcement efforts.

During our more recent online surveys, we found 887 individuals of 50 native species, confirming the importance of the internet as an alternative trading space in Thailand’s native bird trade.

The top-ten most recorded species across 17 Facebook groups between 20 October 2019 and

20 January 2020 were Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus (n=325), White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus (n=117), Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella (n=71), Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati (n=45), Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa (n=37), Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni (n=34), Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon (n=31), Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis moluccensis (n=23), Black-throated Laughingthrush Pterorhinus chinensis (n=19) and Black-crested Bulbul Rubigula flaviventris (n=16).

In conclusion, while increased enforcement efforts have led to a clear decline in the open availability of native protected birds at Chatuchak Weekend Market since 2016, the illegal trade appears to have at least partly shifted online. As Thailand’s principal wildlife legislation (WARPA 2019) has jurisdiction to act on illegal online trade, we recommend increased online trade monitoring and enforcement, as well as continued monitoring and enforcement efforts in physical markets. We also recommend more awareness campaigns to continue to raise awareness in Thailand about the illegality of the trade in native birds and the importance of keeping these birds in the wild.

This study is a part of the Monitor Songbird Lab efforts which in part is supported by Silent Forest

Text by Chris R. Shepherd and Boyd T. C. Leupen from the Monitor Conservation Research Society. Both are members of the IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group and collaborate with the Silent Forest Group on trade research through the shared Monitor Songbird Lab

Through the generous funding from the Silent Forest Campaign, Monitor Conservation Research Society (Monitor) has been able to undertake an investigation into the largely unknown trade in the Crested Jayshrike Platylophus galericulatus in Indonesia. The Crested Jayshrike is native to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. It is threatened by loss of habitat due to logging and conversion of forests to plantations and agricultural land, and by intense trapping to supply the cage bird trade.

Indonesia is the epicentre of Southeast Asia’s songbird trade. Much of the country’s songbird trade is illegal and unsustainable exploitation of wild populations is driving an increasingly long list of species towards extinction. Songbird competitions are one of the main drivers behind this immense trade. Although Crested Jayshrikes are appreciated for their striking appearance and song, they are not primarily used to compete in singing contests. Instead, they fulfil an important backstage role; they ‘train’ the competing songsters. They are kept in cages near competition birds who then incorporate elements of the Crested Jayshrikes’s song into their repertoire, giving them an edge over other birds in the competition.

While currently assessed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List in Threatened Species, it is thought that the Crested Jayshrike is in serious decline in many parts of its range. It is our hope that the information resulting from this study will ring alarm bells and call attention to the plight of this species and catalyse immediate actions to prevent further population declines.

The findings of this study will be published in the near future, complete with recommendations to ensure a brighter future for this beautiful and unique species. Watch this space!

The Cikananga Conservation Breeding Center (CCBC) have just released their annual report with reviews of activities from January – December 2022. As with most of the world, Indonesia in 2022 entered a post-pandemic period with restrictions and regulations eased and society having evolved. Whilst this was good news for CCBC as we once again gathered momentum and as a team had renewed energy, the competitive nature and lack of opportunity to gain funding was unfortunately the primary limitation to progress. Whilst major projects that requires more funding may not have progressed at the desired speed, at least the current ex-situ conservation breeding programmes did and are experiencing an exceptionally successful period. Alongside the main in situ programme for the Javan Green Magpie which has gained some great results and exciting prospect for 2023.

Read more in the CCBC 2022 Annual Report which can be found along with 14 other updates and progress reports on the CBCC project page of the Silent Forest website. Providing much interesting insights and knowledge about this project and the state of songbirds in Indonesia

The exploitation of birds for commercial trade is one of the greatest threats to an ever-increasing number of species around the world, particularly in Asia. Much of this trade is illegal, unregulated, and/or unsustainable and is a major cause of Southeast Asia’s bird declines and extinctions.

Experts warn that we are still witnessing the ongoing ‘Asian Songbird Crisis’.

Monitor Conservation Research Society took a closer look at online bird trade in Vietnam in 2020, and in less than a month, recorded 434 posts, accounting for 834 individuals of at least 50 species, almost all of which (92%) were native to the country. Significantly, the study encountered 10 species that had not been recorded in previously published studies about the Vietnamese bird trade.

“The scale of the observed trade appears to confirm a partial shift towards online platforms in Vietnam’s bird trade, or at least an increase in the use of online platforms to trade wild birds,” said study lead author, Boyd Leupen, Monitor’s Programme Officer for Birds. Similar trends have been observed in other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.

In light of these findings, Monitor calls on the Government of Vietnam to improve regulations and increase enforcement action against illegal online trading practices to protect the country’s native bird species and offers its support towards mutual conservation goals.

“Online trade clearly entails additional enforcement challenges. Enforcement agencies have little choice but to find more effective ways to deal with this form of trade to ensure that it is both legal and sustainable,” says Leupen, adding that continued monitoring, effective cooperation between enforcement agencies and online platforms, as well as exploring demand reduction techniques to curb illegal trade are urgently needed.

A Brief Overview of the Online Bird Trade in Vietnam was published in the Asian Journal of Conservation Biology.

Today is the final day of the CITES CoP19 and it has been intense two weeks of learning, understanding, negotiating and adapting. It is with a feeling that the understanding of the need for conservation of wildlife is growing with the nations of the world as the conference is wrapping up and I write this blog.

The two Songbird proposals supported by the EAZA Silent Forest Group were today ratified and are now officially adopted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is an international agreement, signed by 184 parties, designed to ensure that international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.

It is common that there are dividing opinions about the proposals submitted but at this CoP although there was plenty of heated negotiation and intergovernmental discussion there was also an unprecedented number of proposals which was agreed upon in consensus without voting needed.

This was also the case for the two songbird proposals and the document 74 on improved protection of songbirds under CITES which received an amazing amount of support from the Parties as well as other observer organizations.

In the case of the White-rumped Shama nearly all range-states actively spoke out in support of the proposal, and none opposed this proposal. Particularly important was Indonesia who formulated their commitment for the conservation of this species which have the highest diversity of subspecies, in this country, with many of which are under serious pressure due to the trade.

The CoP19 has also been a great opportunity to forge an even closer relationship to our many partners who co-sponsored our side event and support our research activities in so many ways. Meeting old friends and making new ones is also an integral valuable part of conferences. We look forward to continue the work and together identify new priorities.

A deepfelt thank you to Panama, and the Parties dedicated to conservation and sustainability in the international trade wildlife. Hasta luego Panamá, hasta luego CITES!

Today at the CITES CoP19 the important doc. 74 was treated this document is so important for Songbirds because it aims to renew the commitment which was made at the previous CITES Conference of the Parties towards supporting research, consulting with experts and convene a workshop for better protection of Songbirds in CITES. As this is completely in alignment with the aims of the EAZA Silent Forest Group and our partners, but unfortunately no activities could be initiated by the CITES secretariat in the interim we strongly support this proposal.

We have prepared for this discussion and a joint intervention on behalf of the partnership was given by Roger Safford from BirdLife International.

The Intervention reads:

“This intervention is on behalf of AZA, BirdLife International, EAZA, IUCN, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance,

Species360, Taronga Conservation Society, TRAFFIC, WCS, WWF, WAZA, ZAA Australasia, and ZSL.

The issue of international songbird trade remains urgent and unresolved with little tangible progress made in taking forward the decisions made at CoP 18. 

Songbirds represent more than half of the world’s bird species. They remain gravely underrepresented in CITES, despite their prevalence in international trade, both legal and illegal. This trade is expected to continue at increasing levels, and it is critical to address the knowledge gaps which continue to hamper a true understanding on the scale of this trade.

We therefore fully support CoP19 Doc.74, to renew the commitments from Cop 18 on Songbird Trade and Conservation Management. As a consortium of global organisations who continue to work on this matter, we offer our support in its implementation, to ensure that it is prioritised and momentum is sustained into the next CoP cycle.”

Going forward the EAZA Silent Forest Group pursue some of the following immediate aims in relation to CITES policies:

• Presenting songbird trade research as well as new information resources, including two major reviews mentioned in CoP19 Doc. 74 that can be used for CITES decision making process.
• Advocating for stronger use of CITES as a tool to protect threatened species of Passeriformes from unsustainable and illegal trade and enable data collection and access for stronger evidence-based decisions in the future (links to CoP19 Doc74 – Songbird trade and conservation management)
• Support implementation of CITES Decisions 18.256-259, or the Decisions expected to replace or extend these at COP 19
• Supporting the implementation of the two CoP19 CITES listing proposals for songbirds (White-rumped Shama and Straw-headed Bulbul)
• Develop holistic conservation approaches for the challenges songbird species already protected by CITES face
• Develop species assessments in the view of how CITES listings can support species conservation through data accumulation, regulations, sustainable use initiatives, and enhanced legislation enforcement

During the weekend the deliberations and negotiations of the CITES CoP19 were paused, and delegates had the opportunity to rest, catch-up on their policies or even get out and experience some of Panamanian culture, nature and wildlife.

The nature in Panama is highly diverse, including many Songbirds. It is a pleasure to see that even within the capital Panama City there are many green spaces where a wide range of species can be seen and experienced. As such many delegates crossed paths in the urban and near-urban protected areas braving the humid heat in search of Sloths, Primates, Birds and many other species.

By Monday morning it is back to “business” with long days of though negotiations with all effort on catching up on the agenda where countries vote on the submitted proposals and documents. This week is very decisive for songbirds with the two proposals for White-rumped Shama and Straw-headed Bulbul respectively, due to be presented and discussed as well as the very important document 74. This document is a repetition of an intention to support songbird trade research and listings from the previous CoP18. If this is again adopted, which we strongly support, we also hope that more effort and support will be available for this topic from the global community than in the previous period allowing real progress in the conservation policies to protect songbirds.

Songbirds consist of more than half of all existing bird species and are very present in the international trade with a clear increasing trend and new consumer markets becoming apparent particularly in Asia and South America. With well more than a thousand species of songbirds recorded in the international trade they seem to rival the international trade recorded in all other bird orders put together. Yet, in songbirds only 1,4% of the species are protected in the CITES appendices versus 35% of other bird species. It is now time to make proper assessments of the sustainability of international songbird trade and in the future follow-up with more CITES proposals for this group of birds.

Together with partners such as BirdLife International, Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, Monitor Conservation Research Society, TRAFFIC, WCS and with the backing of other regional zoo associations the EAZA through its Silent Forest Group wish to deepen its efforts researching the songbird trade globally and advocating for only sustainable and ethical use.

Under the title Keeping the Music Alive the governments of Malaysia and Singapore held a wonderful side event aimed at explaining the rationale behind the two proposals, 8 and 9 on the White-rumped Shama and Straw-headed Bulbul respectively. The meeting held at the CITES CoP19 last night (17 November 2022) was well attended and enthusiastically promoted conservation efforts for songbirds. The meeting was moderated by Dr. Melvin Terry Gumal from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Malaysia and graced with excellent presentations from Dr. Jessica Lee from Mandai Nature/ASTSG, Dr. Adrian Loo from National Parks Board of Singapore, Undersecretary Dr. Farrah Shameen from the Malaysian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Martha Williams from US Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is apparent that the Critically Endangered Straw-headed Bulbul is just one step away from extinction it’s appendix I listing will allow more control, enable establishment of only sustainable captive breeding and trade to be legal and for illegal activities to be punished harder. It is also apparent that the White-rumped Shame is currently on the same path which have led the Straw-headed Bulbul to the edge of extinction a CITES appendix II listing in this species is only one conservation tool needed to keep this species away from a Red Listing and avoid further local extinctions. In conclusion; the Time for Action is Now recomending all Parties to vote yes on these two proposals.

The two proposals have not yet been treated in the agenda of the Motions of the Committee 1 meetings of the ongoing CITES CoP19. As soon as a decision has been made, we will post an update in the Silent Forest News/Blog.

Another important conservation partner of the EAZA Silent Forest Group indirectly present at the CoP19 is the Monitor Conservation Research Society. Monitor collaborates closely with Silent Forest doing shared research projects and publications on the global songbird trade.

At the CoP19 Sunny Nelson from Lincoln Park Zoo and Simon Bruslund from Marlow Birdpark are presenting and representing the Monitor Flag in the absence of the rest of the team which together form the “Monitor Songbird Lab”.

The Monitor Songbird Lab investigates and researches the global trade in Songbirds and are currently expanding its focus beyond the Southeast Asian region. With projects coming up in West Africa as well as both North- and South America.

One of the larger projects of the team is the Songbirds in Trade Database which we hope to be launching very soon, so stay tuned for more news on this.

As a crucial partner in the conservation and advocacy work in support of Songbirds BirdLife International is also represented here at the CITES CoP19 in Panama. They are also supporting the two current songbird proposals and have led on an important letter to the CITES Parties calling for their support to these proposals signed by multiple CITES Observer NGO’s including EAZA.

Furthermore, as a part outcome of the ongoing “Global Assessment on Bird Trade” by BirdLife and Cambridge Conservation Initiative a consortium of consortium composed by BirdLife International, TRAFFIC, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, University of Cambridge (UK) and the Species360 Conservation Science Alliance have prepared an Information Document (InfDoc) using this data. The InfDoc has been submitted to the CITES Secretariat pending publication.

This document with the title “Representation of Songbirds (Passeriformes) in the CITES Appendices and their Prevalence in Trade” is an outstanding documentation of the underrepresentation of songbird species protected in CITES but in absolute number as well as in relation to threats and trade interest in the species.

There are only two songbird related proposals to be presented at the CITES CoP19 for decisions. This, include the Straw-headed Bulbul up-listing from Appendix II to Appendix I and a new first-time listing of the White-rumped Shama in Appendix II.

The proposals are based on sound data and have been submitted by the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore and are based on genuine concerned about the threat posed by the trade including international trade to fill the demand in areas where these two once common species have been massively depleted.

In aid of the two proposals, which are scheduled to be voted on in a few days there is a number of support letters directed at the CITES secretariat and the Parties who will decide if the proposals are approved or not on Friday 17 November 2022.

Led by ASTSG this letter is directed towards all the 186 Countries participating in CITES. 

Led by BirdLife International is endorsed by 16 organizations including ASTSG, Monitor Conservation Research Society, Mandai Nature, EAZA, EAZA Silent Forest Group and other partners.

The CITES CoP19 will commence tomorrow on November 14th 2022, in getting ready do check out this new Mongabay Article with interviews from several of our partners on the complicated buisiness of regulating international wildlife trade and CITES.

After 5 years of conservation breeding and preparations the Prigen Conservation Breeding Ark (PCBA) are finally engaging in a first trial release of 40 Javan Pied Starlings (Gracupica jalla). The release site is directly onto the grounds of Taman Safari Indonesia II Jatim. This is a large Safari Park which provide not only the right type of landscape but also a high degree of monitoring opportunities and a high level of safety for the desired birds.

It is suspected that this semi-wild population on the grounds will be the only free flying population known. This is an important opportunity to learn about how these birds which have been maintained in captivity for many generations will behave in the wild.

All 40 individuals provided free-roaming access to the wild hatched at PCBA and were raised by their parents in the breeding center. Before the transfer to the soft release aviary, which will serve the birds with a safe area and a guaranteed food source, all selected starlings underwent a final health check, and received additional colour identification rings.

Initially the young birds spend several weeks getting visually used to their new environment and the new neighbours. The habituation aviary is located near the savanna exhibits and the new neighbours include large herbivorous herds from Africa, such as Giraffes, Eland and Ostriches although not geographically fitting they serve the same ecological function as native herbivores such as the Banteng and the Javan Rusa Deer. The Javan Pied Starling will benefit from the insects that will swarm and breed around these animals which in turn benefits from the starling’s appetite for irritating invertebrates and alertness towards predators. It is hoped that a natural symbiosis can be brought back in existence.

PCBA Staff and colleagues will be busy monitoring the movements and behaviour of the released flock as well as engaging with the local communities in the wider area to ensure the wellbeing of the population.

The Javan Pied Starling (Gracupica jalla) is Critically Endangered widely believed to be extinct in the wild read these interesting papers to learn more about their ecology and plight.

2021 Nijman et al. Large-Scale Trade in a Songbird That Is Extinct in the Wild https://doi.org/10.3390/d13060238

2021 van Balen and Collar. The Vanishing Act: A History and Natural History of the Javan Pied Starling Gracupica jalla https://doi.org/10.5253/arde.v109i1.a1

2020 Baveja et al. Using historical genome-wide DNA to unravel the confused taxonomy in a songbird lineage that is extinct in the wild https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13149

The Government of Cuba have recently submitted notice that it will list two species of native songbirds to CITES Appendix III. Appendix III listings can be made by any signatory country (Party) unilaterally and primarily serves the purpose of collecting data and documenting the trade.

The two species belongs to the tanager family. One the Cuban Grassquit (Phonipara canora [syn. Tiaris canorus]) is well known in the international trade since many decades whereas the other the Cuban Bullfinch (Pyrrhulagra nigra [syn. Melopyrrha nigra]) has only recently re-appeared in the international trade including in Europe long after the wild bird import ban of the European Union was in place.

The variation and discrepancies in the scientific names is due to the fact that different taxonomies are used but this will be the topic of another post.

Conservation politics. Many are aware of the approaching environmental conferences, particularly the UN Climate CoP27 and perhaps at least heard of the CBD UN Biodiversity CoP15 to be held in December, but only few will know the CITES CoP19; a crucial meeting for wildlife conservation that will take place from 14 to 25 November 2022 in Panama City, Panama.

Very fitting to the EAZA21+ Conservation Campaign the Silent Forest Group is also engaginging with the big nature conservation frameworks. CITES is surely among the most relevant.

The Silent Forest Group will be joining the CoP19 in 2022 as part of the EAZA delegation in the role as an Observer NGO. We strongly support the better use of CITES for increased protection of songbirds and during the event we will be actively advocating for this. We will also supporting the two listing proposals for songbirds:

• Proposal 8, submitted by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore to list the White-rumped Shama (Kittacincla malabarica) in Appendix II.
• Proposal 9, submitted by the governments of Singapore, Malaysia and USA to up-list the Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Read more about our activities at the CITES CoP19 and follow updates here.

A recent study carried out by Monitor Conservation Research Society which is a research-partner of the Silent Forest Group shows that Indonesia’s large-scale bird trade spans beyond the country’s main islands and highlights the illegality of most of the observed trade.

Carried out in the city of Mataram, on the island of Lombok in West

Nusa Tenggara, the study found more than 10,000 birds of 108 species across only five bird-market visits and express particular concern over the high numbers of Lemon-bellied White-eyes (Zosterops chloris) observed.

Of the 10,000 recorded birds, 378 were fully protected under Indonesia’s wildlife laws. Another 8,208 birds were found to be traded in violation of set harvest quotas and without permits. The fact that more than eighty percent of the recorded birds were traded in violation of Indonesia’s existing wildlife laws is highly worrying.

Find more information about the study here and access the paper which was published in the Indonesian Journal of Applied Environmental Studies here