Effects of alien rodent control on demography of the O'ahu 'Elepaio, an endangered Hawaiian forest bird

• DOI: 10.1071/pc020073
• Publication Date: 2016-05-26T00:21:26Z
• Authors: Eric A. Vanderwerf; David G. Smith
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences

The O'ahu 'Elepaio Chasiempis sandwichensis ibidis is an endangered monarch flycatcher endemic to the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Nest predation by alien Black Rats Rattus rattus one main causes decline this forest bird. From 1996 2000 we monitored demography largest remaining population and controlled rats with snap traps poison bait stations in attempt begin recovery species. influenced many aspects demography. Rat control resulted a 112% increase reproduction, 66% survival female 'Elepaio, restored mate fidelity, site age structure, recruitment more natural conditions. growth rate (lambda) was 0.76 without rat 1.00 control, indicating stabilized populations, but not sufficient cause due added threat mosquito-borne diseases. may facilitate evolution disease resistance providing birds that have greater immunity increased chance reproducing, thereby increasing proportion resistant each subsequent generation quickly.