Reproduction and Captive-Breeding of Threatened Wild Birds

Abstract

The 6th mass extinction is hardly impacting birds, with 159 species extinct in the last 20 years and 12% of known species now threatened. Moreover, bird populations have alarmingly declined worldwide. For example, in Europe, the decline has been by 600 million since 1980. This reduction of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, exemplified by the endangered scissor-tailed hummingbird’s role as a pollinator in Venezuela. Conservation efforts include in-situ and ex-situ strategies. Despite the challenges that it poses, contemporary ex-situ initiatives have successfully rescued species from the brink of extinction. However, captive breeding programs present considerable challenges due to their complexity, time investment, and lack of scientific publications, and success is not guaranteed. Consequently, it becomes essential to prioritize optimizing reproduction to improve the chances of offspring survival. This chapter will comprehensively examine the factors to be considered when formulating an ex-situ program involving captive breeding for endangered bird species, from breeders management and incubation conditions to neonatal care and the release of young birds.