The Raso Skylark, one of the world’s rarest and most threatened species, was found only on the island of Raso in the Cape Verde Islands until being translocated to nearby Santa Luiza Island in 2018. On both islands, the species faces predation of adults and nests from the giant gecko Tarentola gigas (also a threatened species), as well as potential predation by mice and birds. As researchers investigate the feasibility of translocating Raso Skylark to a third Island, Branco Island, more information about the presence and impact of predators is needed.
A 2024 donation from the Farallon Islands to the Bird Conservation Fund (BCF) and the African Bird Club (ABC) supported a study to identify the different potential predators present in these different ecosystems, improve estimates of the presence of introduced mammals, and assess impacts of predators on experimental nest survival compared to the original Raso Island ecosystem.
- Year of Grant: 2024
- Amount: $3000
- Grantee: Bird Conservation Fund and African Bird Club
Image at top of page: Spizocorys razae by – Ibis 1898. Public Domain image.