VU
Nightingale Island Finch Nesospiza questi



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Ryan, P. G. 2008. Taxonomic and conservation implications of ecological speciation in Nesospiza buntings at Tristan da Cunha. Bird Conservation International 18(1): 20-29.
Ryan, P. G. 2008. Taxonomic and conservation implications of ecological speciation in Nesospiza buntings at Tristan da Cunha. Bird Conservation International 18(1): 20-29.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - D2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2016 Vulnerable D2
2012 Vulnerable D2
2010 Vulnerable D2
2008 Not Recognised
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status Land-mass type Forest dependency Average mass
not a migrant does not normally occur in forest -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 2 km2 good
Number of locations 1 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 9000 mature individuals medium estimated 2009
Population trend stable poor suspected 2000-2010
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 0% - - -
Generation length 3.8 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: Whilst numbers on Middle and Stoltenhoff are unlikely to exceed 500 pairs, the population on Nightingale island is likely to be c.4,000 pairs, giving an overall estimate of 9,000 mature individuals, roughly equating to 13,000-14,000 individuals in total.

Trend justification: The species's population is suspected to be stable owing to the absence of any serious and immediate threats.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
St Helena (to UK) extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
St Helena (to UK) Nightingale Island group

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Grassland Subantarctic major resident
Shrubland Temperate major resident
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Mus musculus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Low Impact: 3
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: Nightingale Island Finch Nesospiza questi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/nightingale-island-finch-nesospiza-questi on 01/02/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 01/02/2025.