Skip navigation
Little vermilion flycatcher female feeding chicks
12/03/2020 Invasive species

Saving the Little Vermilion Flycatcher – Project Update

There have been some very exciting developments within the Little Vermilion Flycatcher Project so far in 2020. In February the first fledglings of the project were spotted!

Photograph of Lisa Wheeler

Lisa Wheeler

Former Projects Manager at Galapagos Conservation Trust

Project Updates

There have been some very exciting developments within the Little Vermilion Flycatcher Project so far in 2020. In February the first fledglings of the project were spotted!

The little vermilion flycatcher is endemic to Galapagos, meaning it is found nowhere else on Earth. Having already gone extinct on Floreana and Santa Fe islands, they are declining on Santiago, Rabida, Isabela and Santa Cruz and is today listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of Endangered species.

Male vermilion flycatcher - Ian Dunn

A male vermilion flycatcher with his striking red plumage © Ian Dunn

It was originally thought the disappearance of primary forests for agriculture was the main driver of their declines. However, recent research by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has shown that whilst this is one contributing factor, invasive species appear to be playing a key role. The parasitic fly Philornis downsii, whose larvae feed on the young of many birds in Galapagos, was identified as a major impact on the species.

Complicating matters further for the threatened little vermilion flycatcher is the spread of the invasive raspberry plant (Rubus niveus). The team believes their preference for feeding in open areas within forests makes them susceptible to the spread of dense patches of raspberry plants, covering otherwise open space and preventing the birds from feeding normally.

 

About the project

To reverse these declines of endemic land birds, including little vermilion flycatchers (LVFs) as quickly as possible, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) formed the Landbird Conservation Program in 2014. This program counts on the help of Galapagos residents, visitors, and researchers from around the world and is investigating multiple options simultaneously for the protection of iconic bird species.

Galapagos Conservation Trust has supported the project since the end of 2019 to increase the number of LVF’s on Santa Cruz. To do this, the team is removing invasive raspberry plants from Mina Roja on Santa Cruz to allow the forests to recover naturally. This simultaneously increases the amount of open space for the birds to feed in. They also have the time and resource heavy task of locating nests and applying insecticide to protect young birds from P. downsii infestation.

Female vermilion flycatcher feeding chicks © Charles Darwin Foundation

Female vermilion flycatcher feeding chicks © Charles Darwin Foundation

Project successes to date

So far, however, their incredible efforts are paying off, with three young birds successfully fledging from two nests treated with injections of permacap to reduce Philornis infestation! Eggs have recently hatched in a third treated nest and others are being built across Mina Roja on Santa Cruz. Whilst there is still a long way to go to ensure a future for this much loved species, we are extremely pleased to see the project make such a successful start and we look forward to keeping you updated on the team’s progress.

Vermilion flycatcher fledglings © Charles Darwin Foundation

Vermilion flycatcher fledglings © Charles Darwin Foundation

Ways you can help

Donate to our Land Birds Appeal to help GCT’s efforts to conserve this species and other. Alternatively why not purchase one of our unique land bird-themed t-shirts, jumpers or bags, exclusively designed for GCT and made from 100% organic cotton.

Related articles

American flamingo in Galapagos
15th Nov 2023
Wildlife facts

5 of the most colourful birds in Galapagos

Visitors to Galapagos are sometimes surprised to discover the relative lack of colourful bird plumage on display, given the Islands’ location on the Equator.
Read more
Galapagos Day 2023 speakers
30th Oct 2023
Events Rewilding

Galapagos Day 2023: Rewilding Galapagos

On Thursday 19 October we gathered once more at London’s historic Royal Geographical Society for Galapagos Day, our biggest event of the year.
Read more
Floreana mockingbird
3rd Oct 2023
Island restoration Rewilding

12 missing species set to return to Floreana

Today is the day when the next phase of the restoration of Floreana island begins, as the project moves into the eradication phase, the largest and most complex eradication ever attempted on an inhabited tropical island.
Read more
Claudio Cruz standing next to his cow shed on Floreana
20th Sep 2022
Invasive species Island restoration

Restoring Floreana: A local perspective

Our Senior Philanthropy Manager, Kelly Hague, saw first-hand the fantastic impact that the Restoring Floreana project is going to have for the people and wildlife that call the island their home.
Read more

Get the latest news from Galapagos

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly email newsletter, bringing you the latest news on Galapagos and our work to protect the Islands.

Hidden
Share This Page