Population recovery of the threatened endemic Rodrigues fody ( Foudia flavicans) (Aves, Ploceidae) following reforestation

Abstract

In 1999, we intensively surveyed all suitable habitat on the Mascarene Island of Rodrigues and mapped 334 territories of the threatened endemic Rodrigues fody ( Foudia flavicans). In addition, we recorded 58 unpaired males, 85 juveniles, and 100 grey-brown-plumaged birds, for a minimum estimated population size of 911 birds. This represents a near 100-fold increase in population size since 1968, which has been achieved in the absence of translocation or taxon-specific management. Birds were generally distributed in direct proportion to the availability of various forest types, but relatively more birds were found in mature, dense forests. Fody density at 10 selected sites, where vegetation surveys were carried out, increased significantly with increasing tree height, canopy cover and tree species diversity. This suggests that habitat management aimed at enhancing Rodrigues fody populations should focus on the protection of existing wooded valleys to allow forest maturation and expansion of afforested areas.