cas and the Pacific, where the major­ ity of threatened occur, there has been a major growth in interest in Red Data Books: working to save identified through ICBP's Red Data Book how & why Program. In other words, the RDB actually works: it spurs conservation, it saves species from extinction. by Nigel J. Collar International Council for Preservation Cambridge, United Kingdom The Problem ofSubspecies ICBP played a leading part in the development of RDBs, with Col. Jack Vincent working for ICBP at IDC 's Swiss headquarters from 1963, and First Principles In order to prevent the extinction producing the bird volume simultane­ "How and why" is the usual way of the species, the first and most fun­ ously with Noel Simon's mammal we put the words together, but to damental step must be to identify the book, the first two RDBs ever to construct a serious case for Red Data ones at risk and then review, analyze appear. The first and second editions Books (RDBs), the updatable volumes and organize all the data relevant to of the Bird RDB (the second being that document threatened species, it their conservation. This is the pur­ produced by Warren King in Washing­ is simpler to make the journey from pose and function of RDBs, which ton over the years 1974 through why to how. Moreover, the first and were introduced by mCN in 1964. 1979) both treated subspecies as well fundamental why is not so much They are the cornerstones of success­ as species, since at that time the "why do we need these books?" as ful strategies to preserve the enor­ dimensions of the species crisis "why do we need these species?" mous variety of life on earth. Without were less clear, and there was still Without an answer to this basic point, their dispassionate amassing and sift­ space to consider subspecies. James the whole process of threatened ing of evidence, the world's conser­ Greenway's 1958 prototype RDB, species documentation is placed in vationists and decision makers would Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the some jeopardy. simply not possess the information World, had treated only 95 threat­ In recent years, many different they need to exercise their responsi­ ened species, Vincent's first (1966) answers to this elemental why have bilities fully and fairly. RDB treated 190 and later (1971) 220, been provided, the issue producing I say "fully and fairly" because, an entire branch of philosophical while the planet remains extremely inquiry, as reflected by the titles of rich in species, commonly rather few several books such as Why Preserve attract a disproportionate Natural Variety? and Philosophy AMAZONS amount of concern for their well Gone Wild. Despite this, of all the by being. This is not necessarily bad, but answers available, the only one I am John and Pat Stoodley the danger remains that, through pub­ comfortable with is my own, if 135 pages, 8-1/4" x 11-1/4" lic or institutional ignorance of other only because at least I understand it 85 full color plates issues, these animals will absorb all and believe it. I set out my views in the limited conservation resources of the essay "Life, liberty and the pur­ a country, to the literal loss of less suit of happiness" in American Birds familiar or less attractive species. The (42 [1988]: 19-22). They are that the RDBs provide the single most effec­ mere existence of species confers on tive mechanism to counter this dan­ us all an essential human liberty, that ger, since their remit is to take an the extinction of species, by reducing entire group of animals or plants ­ the complexity of the world and our birds, reptiles, corals, etc. - and capacity to enjoy it for its diversity, evaluate them purely in terms of their erodes our freedom, and that when security for survival, irrespective of we fight to save species we are fight­ any other factor. Even ifa government ing for our basic right to enjoyment authority or private body decides to - not just of wildlife, but of life. take no action for a species, at least Of course, other things than species they have the information and the $78.00 plus $2.50 shipping extinction contribute to the general choice; at least another body has the Dale R. Thompson deterioration in the quality of our opportunity to step in; and at least P.O. Box 1122, Dept. AF lives. To lose subspecies, populations, the extinction, if it happens, cannot Canyon Country, CA 91386 areas, even cherished individual be attributed to mere ignorance. (Calif. residents add 6-1/2% sales tax) plants and animals, is to have life (805) 252-4871 turned greyer, poorer, flatter. By and ICBP's experience has certainly large there are too many such cases to been that its international bird RDB Risa Teitler has become increasingly central to P.O. Box 1392 lament or fight, and we shrug them Miami Springs, FL 33266-1392 off; but there has to be a line, and to the planning and implementation of (Florida residents add 6% sales tax) me - and I am sure to many others ­ conservation in countries throughout (305) 885-7453 species is it. the world. In Africa, Asia, the Ameri- afa WATCHBlRD 13 King's (1979) 290. Less than 10 years the grounds are not in some degree represented by a single specimen. after King, ICBP published its evi­ convincing to or accepted by others, .Storrs Olson, retrieving one such dence (in an abbreviated RDB called as in the case of the Ngoye Green form from obscurity, commented Birds to Watcb) that no fewer than Barbet Stactolaema olivacea wood­ sharply that "there is a regrettable 1,029 species of bird are at risk of wardi, which one taxonomist reluctance among modern ornitho­ extinction around the world. To doc­ upgraded to species level in a new logists to accept unique specimens as ument each fully is clearly sufficient genus Cryptolybia woodwardi, or representing valid species, the ten­ work, and grounds enough to leave the Cuban (Hook-billed) Kite Cbon­ dency being to regard them as freaks, subspecies, with regret, to fend for drobierax (uncinatus) wilsonii, hybrids, or as a subspecies of some themselves (although in fact many often regarded as distinct but whose better known form, so that such spec­ threatened subspecies are sympatric skins are virtually identical to main­ imens are often relegated to a status with threatened species, and so can land forms. Indeed, ICBP's own RDB sufficiently dubious to insure that be secured through action to secure work revealed that the threatened Van they will be overlooked and ignored:' the habitat ofthe latter). Dam's Vanga Xenopirostris damii Very clearly, the RDBs have a respon­ All the same, this decision need not could well prove conspecific with sibility to evaluate the claims of such be the end for some so-called sub­ (and even doubtfully distinct at the species and specimens, and not species. The fist step to be taken on subspecific level from) Lafresnaye's merely follow the easier, traditional the long trek to a completed RDB (if Vanga X. xenopirostris, a perception line of rejection. This can be hard such books can ever be regarded as that has certainly downgraded work. Apart from anything else, the completed) is to determine the the bird in ICBP's priorities on specimens in question may be lodged and nomenclature to be Madagascar. in museums no longer active in the followed. In certain respects, it is relevant taxonomic studies, yet their obviously desirable to stay as much as Single-specimen Species uniqueness prohibits their mailing to possible with the system that is most RDBs also have to grapple with the other institutions for temporary up-to-date and widely accepted, problem of species known only from examination, so that expensive and although of course these two charac­ a single specimen. The White-chested time-consuming travel becomes teristics are often mutually exclusive; Tinkerbird Pogoniulus makawai is requisite if any progress is to be made in practice, it is imperative to remain one such, collected in a broad belt of with them. flexible within the chosen system, evergreen thicket in Zambia. No one Of course, there are some species and deviate from it where the evi­ else has been able to find it, although known from one specimen that are dence requires. Taxonomy is in a con­ the habitat is apparently uniform over generally undisputed, such as the stant state of flux, and it is vital to thousands of square miles, and the Orange-necked Partridge Arboro­ keep abreast of new developments, longer this situation remains the phila davidi, Negros Fruit Dove such as the recent perception that the stronger the view becomes that the Ptilinopus arcanus, Itombwe Owl Rusty-faced Parrot Hapalopsitta type-specimen is aberrant or even Pbodilus prigoginei, Caerulean amazonina may actually constitute possibly hybrid. There are a dozen or Paradise-flycatcher Eutricbomyias three or four species, with several more such "species" in the Americas rowleyi, Cone-billed Tanager Cono­ of these "new" species having alone that ICBP currently accepts as tbraupis mesoleuca and Cherry­ extremely small ranges. invalid (probably hybrid or aberrant), throated Tanager Nemosia rourei, of Conservationists clearly have diffi­ including many hummingbirds such which three have never otherwise culties here. It is important to err on as Decorated Woodstar Acestrura been seen and three (the owl, fly­ the side of caution and allow specific decorata, Small-billed Azurecrown catcher and second tanager) are status if reasonable doubt exists; on Amazilia microrbyncba and claimed to have been glimpsed, once. the other hand, to see scarce conser­ Cabanis's Emerald Cblorostilbon All these are listed in the RDB, as vation money spent on a form that is auratus, plus for example White­ would be expected: all such species barely differentiated from another masked Antbird Pitbys castanea and must qualify for threatened status by that is secure, while much more dis­ White-tailed Tityra Tityra leucura. almost any criteria. tinctive creatures remain unattended, The virtue of such caution, particu­ is always frustrating. Hence ICBP larly with regard to hummingbirds, is What Makes a readily splits Banded Wattle-eye borne out by recent studies that show Threatened Species? Platysteira laticincta from Black­ that no fewer than three described Different people have different throated Wattle-eye P. peltata from southeast Brazil within the past ideas about what constitutes a threat­ (because distinct in both plumage and 20 years - Klabin Hermit Pbaetbor­ ened species. The important thing for habitat requirements), Guadelupe nis margarettae, Black-billed Hermit anyone taking a decision on this issue Junco Junco insularis from Dark­ P. nigrirostris and Black Barbthroat is to operate with clear criteria that eyed Junco J. byemalis (on a recent Tbrenetes grzimeki - are invalid others understand and accept, so that observer's assessment of its voice, taxa, being variants or immatures of the matter remains as much as pos­ morphology and plumage), and known forms. All three were listed in sible in the public domain. Even if, as Sumatran Cochoa Cocboa beccarii King's (1979) RDB, because recorded is inevitable, a measure of subjectivity from C. azurea from very small areas of Atlantic informs the process, the closer the (because the two are utterly different, forest, and had therefore been targets adherence to the criteria, the more the problem being that so few of conservation action: a great deal of consistently subjective the delibera­ museum skins of the former exist no money could easily have been wasted tions will be. In other words, it is a taxonomist had compared the forms on them. matter of critical substance that the for halfa century). On the other hand, there are decision-maker is answerable for his By contrast, ICBP resists splitting if dangers in complacency over species or her decisions. 14 August/ September 1991 When the criteria were developed tion oftheir restricted ranges or low creation of ICBP's international for the IUCN/ICBP RDBs, it was also densities (rare cases) can become secretariat in 1980, has, for the first decided to make categorizations of highly subjective. I have tended time, operated a continuous program taxa based on the degree of danger always to include species with very of documentation and analysis. To they faced. Thus, although' 'threat­ restricted ranges if their habitat is rationalize the use of resources, and ened" and "endangered" are syno­ vulnerable, whether or not that to maximize the benefits of continu­ nyms,. for the sake of clarity, IUCN habitat is currently under pressure ity in research, a geographically adopted "threatened" as a general (tropical forest birds on small islands defined approach has been adopted. term for any species at risk of extinc­ are the commonest example): change The first volume of the third edition, tion (i.e. worthy of inclusion in the in today's world is so rapid that the Threatened Birds of Africa and RDB), and "endangered" as the high­ RDB has a responsibility to be pre­ Related Islands, was published in est category of threat that a species emptive. Nevertheless, each case is 1985, and treated 177 species in 796 could be under, applicable to forms in judged on merit; and, as a failsafe, pages. Three more volumes are immediate danger of extinction. Four ICBP has instituted a "near­ planned to complete the edition: the other official categories exist: "vul­ threatened" species list that indicates second for the Americas, the third for nerable" for forms whose present those birds on the fringes of concern Europe and Asia, and the fourth for decline will take them "in the near which may, on closer scrutiny, merit Australasia and the Pacific. future" into the endangered bracket, recognition as threatened species and The entry on each species thus has "rare" for forms with small but which should, wherever possible, be the equivalence of a scientific review largely stable world populations that accommodated into strategies for the paper, yet does not merely repeat are always likely to encounter prob­ conservation of areas and other information gathered from published lems (thiS includes forms that are species. sources but also analyzes, reorganizes quite common or even abundant and, through the incorporation of within very restricted ranges, or that The RDB Treatment new data from correspondents and are relatively widespread but at very The ICBP Red Data Book has been museums, extends it. All such work low densities throughout), "indeter­ the chief source of reliable scientific commonly leads to wholly new minate" for forms known to be either information on threatened birds since insights about the prospects for sav­ endangered, vulnerable or rare but the prototype of the first edition ing a bird or the need to do so. These where evidence is insufficient for appeared in loose-leaf form in 1964. desk-study investigations are there­ more precise judgement, and''insuf­ These early editions were, however, fore vital in determining the most ficiently known" for forms that are compiled on a part-time basis to rela­ appropriate courses of action for the suspected but not known certainly to tively constrained time-scales. The species under review, and in mini­ be threatened. third edition, initiated soon after the mizing the wastage of precious con- To these, ICBP added a sixth, unof­ ficial category, "of special concern," for species habitually thought of and treated as threatened (this is often the case with species that are genuinely threatened in several but not all the Candling without handling. countries in their ranges), but which the full accumulation of evidence proves otherwise. Publication of this evidence satisfies the investment of Hr····· .....~ time and resources expended on the \I...... u..mm.MJY research, saves others repeating the Candler comes with New Candler Lamps: exercise, and provides the concerned a protective cover that $6. each or 3 for $15. public with the species' true status. may be used as a Plus $2. S&H Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demer­ handle extension sus, Shoebill Balaeniceps rex, Congo (Maximum length Z1") Peafowl Afropavo congensis and Wattled Crane Bugeranus caruncu­ latus all proved, on careful considera­ Now with the new recessed Candler Lamp! • Better Illumination • Less light loss • Longer life tion, to be widespread enough and in sufficiently secure habitat not to be (yet) in danger, but the research on The MDS Candling Light these birds took a total of 14 man­ features a high intensity, weeks and seemed absurd to waste prefocused lamp on the end of a by not publishing. 10 II flexible shaft. The new style The decision whether a species is candler lamp is recessed in a ~;MDS truly at risk is often difficult, despite metal sleeve to fit the egg con­ Incorporated tour. All new Candling Lights 1-800-537-2790 IUCN's categories. "Immediate dan­ come with the new-style lamp­ ger of extinction" (endangered cases) or order replacement lamps for 1640 Central Ave. may be readily identifiable, but your existing Candlers. St. Petersburg, FL 33712 declines towards that condition (vulnerable cases) are not; and the problems faced by species as afunc- afa WATCHBIRD 15 servation resources (money, exper­ at least written to for the additional uated and its status assessed not on tise, time) on inappropriate activities; data, mostly on distribution, that national but on global criteria. This where two or more threatened spe­ previously undocumented specimens commonly leads to valuable insights cies occur together, the RDB makes may possess, and this information is of two kinds: (1) a species considered this clear and thus indicates where also added to the drafts. nationally at risk proves secure, so and how to save the maximum num­ Third, the text is primed for publi­ that cash for its conservation can be ber of species with the minimum cation. This involves standardizing diverted; (2) a species considered input of finances. In conservation and correcting all the drafts, includ­ nationally secure proves at risk every­ terms, such detailed analysis becomes ing the references, composing and where else, so that the country in a highly cost-effective investment for completing the various appendices, question understands the interna­ future action. preparing an introduction, compiling tional and ultimate responsibility it ICBP's procedure for creating an the complete acknowledgements, then has. The comprehensiveness RDB falls into three phases. First proofreading the entire book, means that all the birds are evaluated comes the identification of candi­ copying it to independent readers for at the initial stage, that files are dates and the general groundwork. In in-house review, adding final correc­ opened and maintained on all candi­ this, previous RDB species for the tions and additions from latecoming date species and that the final docu­ region in question are listed, and sources, checking them, and compil­ mentation covers every aspect of the other sources on threatened species ing an index. species that could be of use to anyone are checked; suggestions for addi­ seeking to rescue it from extinction. tions and alterations are solicited The Complete Guide It is not sufficient to know that a from key correspondents, specialist A standard entry consists of eight species is recorded from a country; it groups, and ICBP sections; key works obligatory sections, with a ninth is important also to know (e.g.) if it is (i.e. books on families or birds of optional. These are a Summary, then: common or rare there, whether it is particular countries) are gleaned for Distribution, Population, Ecology, resident or migratory, when it was further candidates; lists of all possible Threats, Conservation Measures last reported, from which localities it contributors of data, and lists of Taken, Conservation Measures Pro­ is known, what news there is of its major museums that may hold impor­ posed, Remarks (optional), and Refer­ habitat today, whether it or at least its tant unpublished data, are drawn up; ences. The content of these sections habitat occurs in a protected area, a list of all candidate species, with a is self-evident from their names, whether the protected area is gen­ brief summary of their distribution except for Remarks, which is reserved uinely secure, whether the species and why they may be at risk, is circu­ for some specific observation (such as could be conserved at one or more lated to all potential contributors with pointing out taxonomic problems localities where other threatened the invitation to comment with their with the species under review, or birds or other wildlife occur, and judgement and information; these mistakes in the literature that need soon. comments are duly stored in individ­ correction). Further important qualities of the ual correspondents' files, cross­ As a general principle (at least in Red Data Book Program as a long­ referring to each species treated by ICBP's approach to RDB work), the term initiative are consistency, experi­ that correspondent; the candidate list entry aims to be as complete and ence and trust. The consistency and is then modified to accommodate the comprehensive an account as pos­ experience derive from a set of breadth of new information, and sible of a species in relation to its authors who have a common under­ becomes the working list for the conservation needs: anything that standing of the criteria they employ book. could have a bearing on how to save and the materials they consult. The Second, the species accounts are the species must be accounted for in trust derives from the ever greater drafted. This is done on a word proc­ the text. This is vital: some scientists development of a network of corre­ essor following exhaustive combings seem all too ready to rely on what spondents and contacts who appreci­ of the literature and incorporating all material they can scrape together in ate the value of the program and con­ the relevant unpublished material an ad hoc manner, often ignoring tribute their data freely to it. All of returned in correspondence. The work in foreign languages and the this activity, and the principles drafts are posted out to the same set older literature on the fatalistic behind it whereby everything is of contributors for further comment, assumption or mere hope that it accountable, make for what I like to and to as many other sources as holds nothing of direct significance think of as the democratization of the emerge in the course of the detailed or value. ICBP sees it as a duty to pub­ work. ICBP shoulders the responsi­ research on each species, and all lish independently all the evidence it bility, but invites everyone with incoming information is duly added. can muster, so that no one can ever knowledge ofbirds, their habitats and The literature continues to be moni­ blame the failure to follow a potenti­ so on, to contribute. In this way, the tored for new evidence or possible ally life-saving course of action on RDB provides a major public service new sources of evidence, and drafts ignorance of the options available by setting an agenda that everyone are repeatedly updated and circu­ from a proper scrutiny ofthe sources. can accept as reliable and realistic, lated. A gazetteer is maintained for That the Red Data Book is both because everyone can understand and easy cross reference, certain appen­ independent and comprehensive is enhance the process through which dices (on near-threatened species, or crucial. These qualities mean that no that agenda developed. the distribution of threatened species special considerations or constraints by country, for example) are com­ apply to the work except those of Nigel]. Collar is the senior author of the ICBP's Red Data Book, and is currently work­ piled, and notes are kept on issues scientific excellence. The independ­ ing on the second part of the third edition, needing clarification in the book's ence means that a species with an "Threatened Birds of the Americas;' due to introduction. Museums are visited or international distribution is fully eval- appear in 1992.• 16 August / September 1991