Guardians of São Tomé’s Rarest Birds

Hidden within the lush forests of São Tomé lives a remarkable trio of birds found nowhere else on Earth. The Dwarf Ibis, the São Tomé Grosbeak, and the Newton’s Fiscal are among the island’s most iconic endemic species and are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Restricted to the forests of this small Gulf of Guinea island, their survival now depends on urgent conservation action.

Each of these birds tells a story of rarity and resilience. The Dwarf Ibis, a shy forest dweller with a haunting call, is believed to number fewer than 2,000 individuals. The São Tomé Grosbeak, once thought lost to science for more than a century, survives in scattered pockets of forest, possibly with fewer than 250 adults remaining. Newton’s Fiscal, a striking black-and-white shrike found along forest ridges in the island’s centre, is also estimated to have fewer than 250 individuals, making it one of Africa’s rarest birds

Despite being legally protected, these species remain extremely vulnerable. Habitat loss driven by agricultural expansion and timber extraction continues to reduce the forests they depend on. Hunting, disturbance, and the presence of invasive mammals add further pressure to already fragile populations.

Since 2018, BirdLife has been working with local partners in São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen protected area management and promote sustainable livelihoods that reduce pressure on biodiversity. But protecting these species requires more than safeguarding forests – it requires working with the people who share the landscape with them.

An initiative implemented between 2022 and 2024 demonstrated the power of community engagement. By working directly with local hunters, the project helped shift perceptions about wildlife conservation and sustainable hunting practices. Rather than viewing conservation as a restriction, hunters were encouraged to see themselves as stewards of the forest.

Header Image: Dwarf Ibis. © Lars Petersson – My World of Bird Photography

The result was remarkable: 75 hunters joined the initiative as “Agents of Change.” Using their deep knowledge of the forest, they are now helping locate rare species like the Dwarf Ibis and reporting illegal bird hunting. Their skills and experience have become valuable tools for conservation.

Together with national authorities, biologists, and other members of civil society, local hunters played an essential role in the process of reviewing the hunting laws and producing a roadmap for their improvement and updating. A mentoring programme for the development of alternative activities was made available to 25 selected hunters, helping them explore the impact of developing economic alternatives on family income and to strengthen basic management and financial skills.

The five best ideas, selected through a competition, received technical and financial support to draw up and implement their business plans and ideas. This was an opportunity to demonstrate how local hunters can be real contributors to conservation in the field, promoting a balance between human needs and biodiversity.

Building on this momentum, the Global Birdfair 2026 project will focus on filling critical knowledge gaps about endangered birds while strengthening local capacity to protect them. Researchers, park rangers and community members will work together to better understand where these species live, how their populations are changing, and what specific actions are needed to secure their future.

At the same time, the project will continue to strengthen community involvement, ensuring that conservation efforts are rooted in local knowledge, participation, and long-term stewardship.

The trio of birds are more than just rare species – they are symbols of São Tomé’s extraordinary natural heritage. Protecting them means protecting the forests, ecosystems, and communities that make the island unique.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the whole Global Birdfair team for dedicating their support towards this vital project. With continued support, collaboration, and curiosity from people around the world, we can ensure that the haunting call of the Dwarf Ibis, the quiet presence of the São Tomé Grosbeak, and the watchful silhouette of Newton’s Fiscal remain part of São Tomé’s forests for generations to come.

Together, we can help safeguard some of Africa’s rarest birds.