Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species was endemic to the island of Réunion, where it was once described as abundant. It was last seen shortly after 1672 and was likely driven to extinction following the arrival of rats on the island. It is therefore classified as Extinct.
Population justification
No extant population remains.
Trend justification
The exact reason for the species extinction is uncertain, but the species was apparently abundant, occurring in vast numbers and damaging crops (Dubois 1674, Hume 2017). However, Rattus rattus (Black Rats) reached plague proportions on Reunion in 1676 soon after Doubois' (1674) account of the species. Oceanic Foudia are known to be highly susceptible to predation from rats, and their presence likely led to the rapid decline of the population (Hume 2017). Additionally, the species reportedly occupied lowland evergreen forest (Moreau 1960), a habitat type that was extensively cleared (Hume 2017). The species was undoubtedly extinct by the end of the 17th century (Hume 2017).
This species was endemic to the island of Réunion (to France).
The species reportedly originally occurred in vast numbers, unperturbed by human occupation, often causing damage to crops (Dubois 1674). Reportedly, the species' primary habitat was lowland evergreen forest up 300 m (Moreau 1960).
The species was likely driven to extinction following the arrival of rats on the island (Cheke and Hume 2008). Additionally, the species reportedly occupied lowland evergreen forest (Moreau 1960), a habitat type that would have been extensively cleared (Hume 2017).
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Symes, A., Butchart, S., Richardson, L.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Reunion Fody Foudia delloni. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/reunion-fody-foudia-delloni on 29/11/2024.
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 29/11/2024.