The Choco Screech-Owl (Megascops guatemalae centralis) is one of the rarest birds in Ecuador and its taxonomy remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the nest, owlet morphology, prey items, defensive behaviors, a newly discovered locality for the species, and the occurrence of parasitism, caused by Philornis sp. of the owlets.

Plumage chromatic aberrations usually represent a problem for field ornithologists. Chromatic aberrations are originated by genetic mutations that result in a pigment deficiency, drastically altering the typical colour of individuals, and can vary both within and between species. Here, we present four different colour aberrations in four bird species native and endemic to the Galapagos Islands: Lava Gull Leucophaeus fuliginosus, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Floreana Mockingbird Mimus trifasciatus, and Small Ground Finch Geospiza fuliginosa. These records expand taxonomically the occurrence of chromatic aberrations on Ecuadorian birds and in the Galapagos archipelago.

Context: Cultural divergence refers to changes over time in behavioural traits. These cultural changes could have important implications for conservation planning, and impact the success of conservation efforts such as translocations. Aims: Here, we investigate the extent, and potential impacts, of cultural divergence in two isolated populations of the Floreana mockingbird (Mimus trifasciatus) on the Galápagos Islands. Methods: Using contemporary recordings of vocalisations we test for spatial vocal differentiation between mockingbird populations. Furthermore, we explore the potential drivers of change using morphological measurements and historical recordings of the species. Key results: We found evidence of spatial and temporal differentiation in vocalisations between the two populations of the Floreana mockingbird. We accurately classified over 75% of the birds to the correct populations based on multivariate measures of audio recordings using canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). We also found significant differences in morphometrics between populations; specifically, beak depth was associated with frequency modulation, an acoustic measure that is significantly different between populations. Furthermore, we found evidence of change in the complexity of the vocalisations over a period of 57 years. Conclusions: Cultural divergence was found in the two remaining populations of this endangered species. Factors such as changes in morphology and cultural drift might have been influenced the change in vocalisation across time and populations. Implications: We highlight the importance of considering behavioural factors when planning reintroductions of endangered species where there is a need to minimise the risk of assortative mating so as to maximise genetic diversity.

(1) The importance of social structure and dominance hierarchies in cooperative-breeding species is well-documented, yet the inclusion of these processes in conservation translocation planning remains limited. Here, we empirically measured the social networks of three populations of the endangered Floreana Mockingbird, then used model simulations of different translocation scenarios to test the effects of social disruption on the social networks. (2) We used social network analysis and Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to characterise dominance hierarchies, group structure, and the consequences of selectively removing individuals from family groups. (3) Dominance hierarchies were strongly transitive, with age emerging as the primary determinant of dominance relationships. Simulated removals demonstrated that the loss of individuals occupying different network positions produced variable levels of social disruption. (4) Although age is the principal driver of antagonistic interactions, network properties such as high betweenness centrality and the presence of a broker (individuals that occupy a strategic position) are also critical considerations for translocation design. Incorporating social network structure into management strategies can minimise group disruption and enhance the success of conservation translocations for endangered cooperative breeders.

Invasive mammalian predators are principal drivers of biodiversity loss on islands, and eradications are a powerful tool to address this threat. However, the demographic responses of ecologically important reptiles to such interventions remain poorly quantified, despite reptiles regularly functioning as key prey and seed dispersers in island ecosystems. We conducted a 5‐year Before–After study on Floreana Island, Galápagos, to evaluate changes in the abundance of endemic lava lizards ( Microlophus grayii ) and geckos ( Phyllodactylus spp.) following a multi‐species eradication attempt. Lizard transect surveys were performed for 3 years before and 2 years after toxicant application, with additional monitoring at three untreated control islands. Following treatment, detections of feral cats ( Felis catus ) and rats ( Rattus rattus ) ceased in survey areas, while mice ( Mus musculus ) remained and likely increased in later months. In less than 2 years post‐treatment, gecko relative abundance tripled and lava lizard relative abundance increased eight‐fold, whereas no increases were observed on the control islands. Habitat suitability based on surrounding vegetation and ground cover emerged as a strong independent predictor of lizard abundance, highlighting the importance of accounting for habitat heterogeneity when interpreting population responses to eradication. Our findings provide the first empirical evidence of small lizard recovery in the Galápagos following an invasive predator eradication attempt and demonstrate that responses can be rapid when predation and competition pressure are reduced. Synthesis and applications Integrating reptile monitoring into invasive predator eradication programmes can reveal rapid responses in ecologically important, yet frequently overlooked, components of island ecosystems. Accounting for habitat variation alongside changes in predator communities will improve interpretation of post‐eradication population responses and inform subsequent restoration actions, including native species reintroductions. More broadly, understanding how reptile populations respond to predator removal can help anticipate changes in trophic interactions and ecosystem processes as island restoration progresses.