Rodrigues Fody
Encyclopedia
The Rodrigues Fody is a rare species of bird
in the weaver family. It is endemic to Rodrigues
, an island of Mauritius
. It is classified by BirdLife International
as being vulnerable. It is also on the United States' Endangered Species List with an endangered status.
This bird is 12 to 13 centimeters long. It is yellow with an orange face and brown back, wings, and tail.
The bird can be found in the canopy at heights of at least 5 meters, and sometimes travels in flocks. It may be associated with the Norfolk island pine
(Araucaria cunninghamii) and some introduced species
of plants. More birds are found in areas with more dense stands of taller trees and higher diversity of tree species. It feeds on insects, spiders, seeds, nectar, and fruit.
Once abundant on the island, the bird was nearly driven to extinction with only 5 or 6 pairs remaining by 1968. Due to conservation efforts its numbers rose to between 911 and 1200 individuals by the year 1999.
The main threat to the species is the destruction of its forest habitat. The forest was cleared for subsistence farming and livestock
. The bird also competes
with its introduced relative, the Madagascar Red Fody (Foudia madagascariensis). Cyclone
s and drought
reduce the food supply.
Conservation efforts have included reforestation
, the main cause of the increase in fody numbers. Fence
s keep out livestock.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the weaver family. It is endemic to Rodrigues
Rodrigues
Rodrigues is a common surname in the Portuguese language. It was originally a Patronymic, meaning Son of Rodrigo or Son of Rui. The "es" signifies "son of". The name Rodrigo is the Portuguese form of Roderick, meaning "famous power" or "famous ruler", from the Germanic elements "hrod" and "ric" ,...
, an island of Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. It is classified by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
as being vulnerable. It is also on the United States' Endangered Species List with an endangered status.
This bird is 12 to 13 centimeters long. It is yellow with an orange face and brown back, wings, and tail.
The bird can be found in the canopy at heights of at least 5 meters, and sometimes travels in flocks. It may be associated with the Norfolk island pine
Araucaria cunninghamii
Araucaria cunninghamii is a species of Araucaria known as Moreton Bay Pine, or Hoop Pine. Other less commonly used names include Colonial Pine, Richmond River Pine, Queensland Pine, Alloa, Ningwik, or Pien, the wood is sometimes called Arakaria)...
(Araucaria cunninghamii) and some introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
of plants. More birds are found in areas with more dense stands of taller trees and higher diversity of tree species. It feeds on insects, spiders, seeds, nectar, and fruit.
Once abundant on the island, the bird was nearly driven to extinction with only 5 or 6 pairs remaining by 1968. Due to conservation efforts its numbers rose to between 911 and 1200 individuals by the year 1999.
The main threat to the species is the destruction of its forest habitat. The forest was cleared for subsistence farming and livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
. The bird also competes
Competition (biology)
Competition is an interaction between organisms or species, in which the fitness of one is lowered by the presence of another. Limited supply of at least one resource used by both is required. Competition both within and between species is an important topic in ecology, especially community ecology...
with its introduced relative, the Madagascar Red Fody (Foudia madagascariensis). Cyclone
Cyclone
In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale...
s and drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
reduce the food supply.
Conservation efforts have included reforestation
Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
, the main cause of the increase in fody numbers. Fence
Fence
A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. It is generally distinguished from a wall by the lightness of its construction: a wall is usually restricted to such barriers made from solid brick or concrete, blocking vision as well as passage .Fences...
s keep out livestock.