This work provides the first confirmed evidence of successful inland breeding of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) in the AlUla region of northwestern Saudi Arabia, significantly expanding the known breeding range and population size of this globally threatened ("Vulnerable") species. Surveys conducted across six nature reserves and six areas rich in biodiversity between 2023 and 2024 documented at least 38 breeding pairs, primarily concentrated in the Sharaan National Park, with additional pairs observed in Gharameel Nature Reserve and Wadi Nakhlah Nature Reserve. Breeding behaviours, including courtship, copulation, territorial nest defence, hunting, and the successful fledging of juveniles, were predominantly observed either on top of small inselbergs or on steep sandstone cliffs and rocky escarpments, highlighting the suitability of these habitats, which are widespread throughout the AlUla region. This newly identified population represents nearly 2% of the estimated global breeding population of the species, underscoring the conservation significance of this discovery. The findings demonstrate the ecological adaptability of the Sooty Falcon to arid inland environments and emphasize the critical role of conservation areas, such as those established by the Royal Commission for AlUla, in safeguarding and enhancing core habitats and protecting populations of threatened raptors. Further research and long-term monitoring are essential to refine population estimates, understand species ecology, habitat suitability, and inform adaptive conservation strategies.
Five (2 juvenile, 3 adult) Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) were tracked in 2021 and 2022 on their southward migration. Falcons made stopovers along their migratory route where food may have been abundant, but potentially exposed themselves to heightened risks associated with those locations. Juveniles made inland and (SE African) coastal stopovers. Adults did not make inland stopovers, but two did stopover at the coast before crossing to Madagascar. Inland stopovers (n=6) constituted up to 51.4% of migration time of juveniles. Inland and coastal stopovers (n=10) were 42.9-79.4% of southward migration time. Mean duration of inland stopovers was 9.3 +/- 7.7 days, 18.0 +/- 8.5 days for coastal stopovers. 50% utilization distribution isopleths of inland stops covered 8,437 +/- 8,674 km2, and 53,638 +/- 18,672 km2 for coastal stops. The most important habitats were Shrubland, Tree cover, and Grassland. We found no link between weather and stopover behaviour, whether inland or on the coast. The data identify the location of stopovers, and suggest their relative importance for feeding and potential for heightened risks, at least in the years of tracking. Analysing data from a larger sample over more years, coupled with information on prey (e.g. locusts and Quelea) and threats (e.g. pesticide use) would clarify the ecological role of migratory stopovers, potential areas of risk, and enable targeted conservation action.
Ventotene Island, a small Mediterranean island off the Latium coast (Central Italy), is an important stopover site for several migratory bird species. The migration pathways of these species have been largely studied with classical approaches, such as bird ringing activities, bio-logging, isotope studies, and radar networks. The latest methodological approaches involve bioacoustics analyses (i.e. sonogram analyses), making advantage of the availability of new low-cost ARUs (Autonomous Recording Units) technology. However, although bird species are known to emit breeding and non-breeding vocalizations during migrations, scientific knowledge on these vocalizations is still scarce, particularly in insular stop-over areas. In this study, 54 field surveys were carried out on Ventotene Island during the early spring migration season (April 2024), following a recording protocol of 10-min per sample-point on different day-hours. Three surveys were carried out for each sample-point, resulting in a total of 540 minutes (9 hours) of audio-recording. The vocalizations of the bird species were identified through acoustic and visual sonogram analyses and categorized by their structural similarity. A total of 19 bird species were identified from the audio-recordings. Among them, Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), European Serin (Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca melanocephala), Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) were the most frequently contacted. The majority of bird vocalizations consisted of alarm and social calls, while reproductive songs were recorded for nine species: Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Common Whitethroat (C. communis), Sardinian Warbler, European Serin, Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava). The results of this study highlight the potential of bioacoustics as a promising and non-invasive tool for detecting the presence of both migratory and sedentary bird species during spring migration. However, future research should aim to refine recording protocols and field survey techniques, as well as compare the effectiveness of bioacoustics monitoring with other established methods.
Scavengers perform crucial ecological role by consuming animal carrion and thereby controlling the spread of harmful diseases. In recent decades, vulture species populations have declined across Southeast Asia due to anthropogenic disturbances such as indirect poisoning, land-use change, electrocution and shortage of carrions. This study was conducted aiming to assess the distribution, abundance, and habitat evaluation of Asian vultures in Kaligandaki Corridor, Nepal. Field observations were conducted through the birding routes, visit of nesting and roosting sites and fixed-point surveys. A questionnaire survey was also done to identify people's perception of the status and threats on Asian vultures. In total, 99 individuals representing five vulture species were recorded in total 21 observation points along the Kaligandaki River Corridor (57 individuals in 12 different points during the summer visit and 42 individuals in nine different points during the winter visit). Remarkably only two species, White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), were recorded at Khaireni Community Forest (KCF) with a total of 63 individuals (37 individuals in summer and 26 in winter). Vulture sightings and abundance were relatively higher during summer than in winter. The White-rumped Vulture was the most abundant species and Red-headed Vulture was found to be the least abundant species recorded in both seasons in the study area. Only the nest of White-rumped Vulture was observed at KCF. Simal (Bombax ceiba) was found to be the most used tree species for nesting by vultures. Vultures were found in highest densities in the forest habitat followed by agricultural land, riverbank, settlements and rocky areas. Distance to water, distance to forest and distance to agricultural land showed positive association with abundance of vulture in summer whereas distance to settlement land, distance to Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS) showed significant association to abundance of vulture species during winter. Food scarcity, habitat loss, lack of conservation awareness, use of chemicals and hunting were some of the threats for population decline of vultures in the area. For the long-term conservation of vulture species, community-based conservation programs, awareness campaigns and provision of economic incentives to local people should be conducted in all its range areas by government authority and concerned organizations.
The main objective of this study was to improve understanding of the distribution and breeding areas of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) in Egypt, in support of the implementation of the International Action Plan for the species. Between August 2023 and November 2024, we conducted a census of Sooty Falcon breeding colonies in the Egyptian Red Sea Islands, the White Desert, South Sinai, and the Nile Valley. Breeding pairs were counted, and nests were recorded where possible. We documented 182 breeding pairs in the Eastern Desert and Red Sea Islands, 123 pairs in the Western Desert, 20 pairs in South Sinai, and five pairs in the Nile Valley. In 2024, a previously unknown breeding colony was discovered in the Dakhla Oasis, comprising approximately 15 breeding pairs. A very small proportion of the population appears to reside in Egypt year-round, although their exact numbers remain poorly known. At Red Sea colonies, we recorded field evidence of breeding activity, including pellets and plucked feathers. In addition, a transitional-phase individual was observed during the first week of April near the Hamata mangrove. Securing long-term funding is essential to ensure the continuation of annual surveys, the exploration of additional potential breeding areas, and the effective monitoring of Sooty Falcon populations in Egypt. Such efforts will contribute to more accurate population estimates and improved assessment of distributional trends and conservation status.
