Full title: Monitoring sedentary and erratic avian species of hunting and heritage interest in the Lesser Antilles - ESPACYPA

Aims: Acquire a better knowledge of game bird species in the French West Indies for appropriate management

Location: Martinique and Guadeloupe

Dates: 2023-2025

Summary: At present, the lack of knowledge about the ecology and population dynamics of certain bird species of hunting and heritage interest in the Lesser Antilles is preventing the development of rational management of their hunting. The aim of the project is to set up a study and monitoring program for several target species in Guadeloupe and Martinique, in order to fill these gaps. The data collected will be used to estimate population sizes, characterize the spatial distribution of the species, assess their conservation status and study their reproductive activity. The results obtained will enable the relevant authorities to make informed decisions for the appropriate management of game species, thus ensuring the sustainability of their populations.

Species studied

Several species are targetted, such as the Scaly-naped pigeon, Patagioenas squamosa, the white-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala, the bare-eyed pigeon, Patagioenas corensis, the ruddy quail-dove, Geotrygon montana, the bridled quail-dove, Geotrygon mystacea, the white-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica, the scaly-breasted thrasher, Allenia fusca, and the pearly-eyed thrasher, Margarops fuscatus.

Patagioenas squamosa

Geotrygon mystacea

Patagioenas leucocephala

Zenaida asiatica

Patagioenas corensis

Allenia fusca

Geotrygon montana

Margarops fuscatus

Scientific publications

Cambrone, C., Levesque, A. & Cézilly, F. (2024). Using citizen science and field surveys to document the introduction, establishment, and rapid spread of the Bare-eyed Pigeon, Patagioenas corensis, on the island of Saint-Martin, West Indies. Biology 13: 585. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/8/585.

>> Download the press release

Project team

Christopher Cambrone

Coordinator in charge of scientific projects
Guadeloupe

Bryan Leborgne

PhD student & project manager in ornithology
Martinique

Jean Joubert Garçonvil

Ornithology field technician
Guadeloupe

Yuna Mélane

Field research assistant; PhD student
Guadeloupe

Elise Queslin

Program Director
Guadeloupe

Sophie Labaude

Communication manager
France

Sara Genta

Administrative and financial manager
France

Project partners

This project is financially supported by the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de Guadeloupe and the DEAL Guadeloupe (via the Plan France Relance) in Guadeloupe, and the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de Martinique and the DEAL Martinique in Martinique.