Provide artificial nesting sites for oilbirds

Overall effectiveness category Likely to be beneficial
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

50%
Certainty

45%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Oilbirds Steatornis capripensis are a unique, nocturnal species in their own family Steatornithidae, related to nightjars, potoos and frogmouths. However, unlike their relatives oilbirds feed entirely on fruit and nest and roost in caves in northern and central South America. It is thought that the availability of nesting and roosting sites in these caves may limit populations, although increasing habitat destruction is also threatening the species (Thomas 1999).

Thomas, B.T. (1999) Family Steatornithidae (oilbird). Handbook of the birds of the world: Volume 5, Barn owls to hummingbirds (eds Hoyo, J, Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.), pp. 244–252. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Study locations

Key messages

A before-and after-study in Trinidad and Tobago found an increase in size of an oilbird colony following the creation of artificial nesting ledges.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A before-and after-study at a colony of oilbirds Steatornis capripensis nesting in a cave at the Asa Wright Nature Center, Trinidad (Lambie 1993), found that the population increased from 25-30 birds to more than 100 individuals and 43 nests by 1977 following the installation of artificial concrete ledges in 1967-1968. Before this, the colony appeared limited in size by the 15 or 16 ledge nest sites available. In 1977, 21 of the nests were on artificial ledges.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Lambie I. (1993) Good news about oilbirds. Bellbird, 2, 1993-1993.

Please cite as:

Williams, D.R., Child, M.F., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Pople, R.G., Showler, D.A., Walsh, J.C., zu Ermgassen, E.K.H.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Bird Conservation. Pages 137-281 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bird Conservation

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