Piscivorous birds affect terrestrial ecosystems by transporting and introducing organic material and nutrients from aquatic systems. While most of these effects have been evaluated by simple comparisons of the abundance of terrestrial organisms within and outside colonies, little is known about the effects of nest density of piscivorous birds on rates of supply of material inputs within colonies, or on the abundance of terrestrial organisms consuming the materials. To clarify the effects of material inputs by the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea on necrophagous insects and under-story plants in a forest, we evaluated the effects of nest density of herons on the spatial pattern of rates of supply of aquatic materials to the forest floor, and the response of necrophagous insects and understory plants to those supply. The herons transported aquatic secondary production in the form of chick carcasses and feces to the forest floor beneath their breeding colonies, and the supply rates were well explained by the nest density. Carcasses and feces increased the densities of necrophagous insects, but feces decreased the biomass of understory plants as supply rates increased. These findings suggest that to evaluate the effects of allochthonous inputs by piscivorous birds on terrestrial communities, it may be necessary to examine not only the presence or absence of bird colonies, but also to examine the relationship between nest density and terrestrial organisms.

The Great Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi is regarded as one of the most endangered eagles in the world. Habitat loss and human persecution continue to impact the species adversely. These problems are complicated further by a number of human-induced factors. Yet despite these obstacles, sustained conservation initiatives over the years have began to yield positive results. The current population status of the species and threats are outlined in this report. In situ and ex situ actions associated with the conservation of the species show how these threats are being addressed. Advances made to further our understanding of the species' biology and ecology are also discussed. With continuing success in the captive propagation of the Philippine Eagle, the program is now in the process of initiating reintroductions. This is anticipated to take Philippine wildlife conservation into its next level. Recent developments and plans to strengthen recovery goals for the species are also presented in this paper.

The Javan Hawk-eagle Spizaetus bartelsi is globally endangered species which exclusively occupies the last remnant forests of Java island, Indonesia. Studies to explore its distribution throughout the island and to uncover its eco-biology have been going on. Recent field surveys recorded new localities of the Javan Hawk-eagle at South Cianjur, West Java, at G. Sanggabuana, Karawang district, West Java and at G. Endut complex, West Java. Our understanding about this enigmatic bird of prey has been improved. Ecological research, including radio tracking, has provided information on prey species, breeding biology and the estimated home range. Small mammals such as treeshrews, squirrels, bats, rats and other small rodents are the preferred prey, but birds, snakes and lizards are also taken. The Javan Hawk-eagle may breed at anytime of the year but usually between January and July. It is sexually mature at the age of three to four years, breeds every two years and lays only one egg. Incubation lasts for 47–48 days and the young bird is fully fledged at 70 days old. Both parents look after the nestling. Some juveniles stay around the parent's territory until the following breeding season. The home range of non-breeding males monitored by radio tracking at G. Salak and Telaga Warna Nature Reserve, West Java was estimated between 310 and 930 ha. Conservation activities on the Javan Hawk-eagle have been conducted through organizing local training or workshop for awareness and community participation, nest protection programme and regular monitoring. Several local training and workshops have been carried out irregularly in West, Central and East Java. Nest protection programme with the involvement of local community has been successfully run mostly in West Java, e.g. at Cibulao Nature Reserve, G. Salak Protection Forest and G. Gede-Pangrango National Park. Regular monitoring has been practiced at Telaga Warna-Nature Reserve, Gede-Pangrango National Park and in certain area of G. Halimun-Salak National Park.

We satellite-tracked the migration of two adult and one young Honey-buzzards Pernis apivorus between the Japanese breeding ground and Southeast Asia. In autumn migration, the two adults (A1 and A2) migrated across the East China Sea, then through China, the Indochina and Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. After Sumatra, A1 arrived in Java for the winter, while A2 moved up through Borneo and reached Mindanao, the Philippines. The young honey-buzzard moved along the coast of the South China Sea to reach the Malay Peninsula for the winter. In spring migration, A1 went up the Malay Peninsula, and then took a route different from its autumn route, moving up inland China, down to North and South Korea, and arrived at the previous breeding site in Japan. A2 followed the autumn route and reached a stopover site in Cambodia. After an undetermined radio silence, it was rediscovered back at its breeding area in Japan. The young stayed at the wintering site, making no apparent effort to get back to the breeding area. The sample size is limited, but these results suggest that the migration of Honey-buzzards is remarkably convoluted and varies considerably with bird age and season.

We developed a new method to estimate the auditory abilities of animals using responses elicited by the presentation of auditory stimuli, without restraining or training the subjects. Using this method, we examined the hearing ranges of four raptors (a Mountain Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis, Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, and Grey-faced Buzzard-eagle Butastur indicus) kept in Ueno Zoo, in Japan, by presenting pure tones and white noise at two sound-pressure levels. Unconditioned responses, such as pupillary dilation and physical movements, were observed in all subjects. We then presented paired video clips of the raptors, with and without auditory stimuli, to human assayers, who were asked which clip contained the auditory stimulus. The accuracy of the human perceptual assay (HPA) suggested that the Mountain Hawk-eagle and Northern Goshawk hear frequencies from 1 to 5.7 kHz best, which is comparable to the results of an experiment with an American Kestrel Falco sparverius and European Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus. The assayers reported that they used movements of the neck, head, and eyes, and changes in the pupils of the raptors as critical cues. Our method reliably reflected the hearing ranges of the raptors, and should be helpful for estimating the auditory capabilities of rare animals, such as the Mountain Hawk-eagle studied here.

Jungle Crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) and Carrion Crows (C. corone) are common species in Japan. They are closely related and considered ecological “generalists”. I carried out a comparative study on territory and habitat use of these crows in an area where they occur syntopically. The two species defended their territories both intra- and interspecifically. The feeding behavior on the ground and the microhabitats in the territories differed between the species. Jungle Crow territories contained more urban areas, and they foraged mainly at garbage stations. In contrast, Carrion Crows mainly foraged in natural or at least un-paved microhabitats and stayed longer on the ground. Differences in microhabitat use and feeding behavior seemed to contribute to ecological separation between the two species of crows.

Translocation is a commonly used tool in conservation management. However, because post-release monitoring has been infrequent in the past, reasons for the outcomes of translocations have often been unknown. Here, I review the reintroduction biology (including dispersal patterns, social organisation, survival, habitat use and foraging patterns) of a population of 26 South Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus), on Motuara Island, New Zealand. After release on Motuara Island, South Island Saddlebacks dispersed widely through forest areas. During their first post-release breeding season, saddlebacks established territories of 1.9 ha-8.8 ha (X¯=4.21 ha, SD=2.42) in size, and territorial confrontations were very rare. Saddlebacks bearing both adult and subadult plumage held territories and attempted to breed, and successful breeding produced approximately 10 fledglings. Saddlebacks foraged on a variety of plant species, dead wood and the ground. Except for five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus), a preferred foraging substrate, birds foraged in all plant material in proportion to its availability. Saddlebacks preferred to forage in the lower levels of the forest. Although vegetation composition differed significantly between territories, all territories contained forest areas, and birds appeared to prefer foraging in larger sized trees. Large territory sizes, breeding attempts by young birds and rarity of territorial confrontations are most likely products of low population density. As density increases, birds are expected to occupy smaller territories, forage more efficiently within these smaller areas, start breeding at older ages, and possibly colonise scrub habitats. The translocated group sustained no more than 50% mortality at 8-10 months after release. In the past, translocations of 15–59 South Island Saddlebacks have been successful, suggesting that the relatively small founder group does not threaten the success of the transfer to Motuara Island. Saddlebacks are flexible in their habitat use, appear to readily adapt to ‘new’ environments and have high reproductive potential, increasing the likelihood of success of translocations of this species.