• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
Although this species is abundant within its extremely small range and is not currently thought to be declining, the potential arrival of invasive species on Nightingale Island could lead to extremely rapid declines such that the species could become Critically Endangered or Extinct within a short time period (as has happened to Nesospiza acunhae on Tristan da Cunha). It is consequently classified as Vulnerable.

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.

Nesospiza questi occurs on Nightingale Island, and the smaller nearby Middle and Stoltenhoff Islands, Tristan da Cunha (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to UK), in the South Atlantic Ocean (Ryan 2008). 

This species is abundant on Nightingale and fairly common on the adjacent islets, from the rocky shoreline to the highest peaks, but is most abundant in tussock grassland and Scirpus-domianted areas in the centre of Nightingale Island (del Hoyo et al. 2011, P. G. Ryan in litt. 2012). Breeding is poorly-known but takes place from November-January and the nest is an open cup built low down in dense sedge or grasses (del Hoyo et al. 2011). The diet consists mainly of seeds and berries, but also some invertebrates (del Hoyo et al. 2011). Young may remain with parents for several weeks following fledging.

Visits to Nightingale are regularly made by islanders and researchers using small motorised boats based on Tristan and the fishing vessels that operate in Tristan waters (P. G. Ryan in litt. 2012). This species is thus permanently at risk from the accidental introduction of mammalian predators which could prey on eggs, chicks and nesting birds.

Conservation Actions Underway
No specific conservation action is known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Carry out regular surveys to monitor population trends. Minimise the risk of introduction of exotic animal or plant taxa, including soil pathogens that could affect important plant species, by strict controls on visits, and promoting awareness of the dangers of inter-island transfers (P. G. Ryan in litt. 2012).

Text account compilers
Calvert, R., Symes, A., Stringer, C.

Contributors
Cooper, J., Ryan, P.G., Bond, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Nightingale Island Finch Nesospiza questi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/nightingale-island-finch-nesospiza-questi on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.