Royal Cinclodes. Photo: Valère Claverie

As a result of a Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) lawsuit, the federal government has agreed to add several bird species found outside of the United States to the U.S. Endangered Species List. Among them are the Junin Grebe and Junin Rail, Royal Cinclodes, Blue-billed Curassow, Gorgeted Wood-Quail, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Tit-Spinetail, and Colorful Puffleg, species that ABC works on extensively in their native South American habitats.

The new ESA listings reflect the perilous situation faced by these species, and would prevent U.S. imports of the birds or their body parts, including feathers. The designations will also invoke the Section 7 consultation process, meaning that, for the time being at least, a federal agency must consult with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service if its actions may negatively affect these species. Such a scenario might include dam or mining operations in another country that are supported with U.S. federal money.

CBD sued FWS in 2003 for failing to protect 73 foreign species. They were partly successful, gaining ESA status for six birds earlier this year (Bird Calls Vol. 11, No. 1). A further 51 bird and five butterfly species were found to warrant protection but were precluded from being listed due to higher priorities. Given that the Service has listed only 56 species in the last eight years, this reason was seen as spurious by the Center, who challenged the finding in court. The challenge resulted in a decision by FWS to list five more birds, but under the threat of continuing legal action on the remaining species, FWS announced in late July that it would list a further 30 species, including those named above.

For more information on the bird species that ABC protects in Latin America and the Caribbean, visit www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/international.