Survival and extinction of breeding landbirds on San Cristobal, a highly degraded island in the Galapagos

We documented the consequences of large-scale habitat loss on a community of Galapagos native bird species on San Cristobal island, based on point counts conducted between 2010 and 2017. Surprisingly, despite considerable habitat change and a variety of other threats, the landbirds of San Cristobal have fared much better than on the neighbouring islands Floreana or Santa Cruz. While two species went extinct very soon after human colonisation, the majority have adapted well to subsequent vegetation change and habitat loss. The endemic San Cristobal MockingbirdMimus melanotisis more widespread than previously thought and its population seems to be stable since the 1980s. We thus propose a change in IUCN classification from 'Endangered' to 'Near threatened'. We present evidence gained by interviewing locals which suggests that a small population of the Least Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus dubius, classified as 'Extinct' by BirdLife International, may have persisted until very recently. Although extensive searches in 2018 and 2019 were unsuccessful, the possibility remains that a few birds may have survived in remote parts of the island. Further searches that involve the general public and other interested parties are therefore deemed necessary.