{"id":12503,"date":"2021-01-14T00:06:37","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T05:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birdscaribbean.org\/?page_id=12502"},"modified":"2021-11-10T17:49:33","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T22:49:33","slug":"endemic-threatened-species-working-group","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.birdscaribbean.org\/endemic-threatened-species-working-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Endemic & Threatened Species Working Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group<\/h2>\n
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\"Hispaniolan<\/a>
The Hispaniolan Trogon (called Papagayo in the Dominican Republic and Cale\u00e7on Rouge in Haiti), is one of only two trogon species found within the Caribbean (the other being the sister species, the Cuban Trogon). (photo by Dax Roman E.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over 50%<\/strong> of the Caribbean\u2019s nearly 350<\/strong> resident bird species are endemic to the region. Of these more than 171<\/strong> endemic species, 25%<\/strong> are threatened with extinction. Additionally, at least 3 non-endemic resident species are also threatened, meaning over 13%<\/strong> of the Caribbean\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s most threatened bird species.<\/p>\n

Join our discussion group on groups.io to stay up to date on news and announcements – learn more and sign up here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Explore the endemic and threatened species in the Complete Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current and Future Activities<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\"Puerto<\/a>
The Puerto Rican Bullfinch is endemic to Puerto Rico, where it is known as \u201cCome\u00f1ame\u201d. It can be spotted in woodlands and forests (dry and humid) and shade coffee plantations throughout Puerto Rico at all elevations. (photo by Hemant Kishan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In 2019, the group merged with the BC\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Areas for future activities include:<\/strong><\/p>\n