Conservation Letter: Status and Conservation of Island Raptors

Abstract

Among raptors, island endemics are particularly vulnerable to endangerment and extinction. Although a few have been extensively studied and targeted for conservation (e.g., Salvador and Ibanez 2006, McClure et al. 2017, Nicoll et al. 2021), the majority remain unstudied. This Conservation Letter provides a review of the conservation status of island raptors, highlighting the challenges they face. This letter is not intended to serve as a comprehensive literature review. Rather, the intent of the Raptor Research Foundation is to provide readers with enough evidence-based examples to appreciate the scope and prevalence of island raptor conservation concerns and to understand the potential effects of current threats on species and populations, as well as the challenges associated with addressing their conservation.