Neotropical songbirds: Safeguarding culture, conservation, and biodiversity

We’re mapping the illegal songbird trade to help stop it at its source.

Problem 

Neotropical songbirds, such as the chestnut-bellied seed finch and the great-billed seed finch, hold a special place in the cultures of countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. These birds are celebrated for their beautiful songs and play a key role in local traditions, especially in singing competitions that bring communities together and pass down cultural heritage. However, the growing popularity of such practices has led to a serious problem: over-trapping and illegal trading may be causing the populations of these birds to decline rapidly. In some areas, songbird species may be facing extinction. 

This decline is not only a loss for cultural traditions but also poses a significant environmental threat. Songbirds are vital to their ecosystems, helping to spread seeds and control insect populations. When their numbers drop, it disrupts these natural processes, threatening the health and survival of other animal and plant species. Moreover, the illegal trade in songbirds often results in the birds suffering from stress, injury, or disease, and many do not survive the journey. They are often transported in cramped, unhealthy conditions—such as being carried inside hair curlers or toothpaste tubes. This trade also risks spreading diseases to other animals and violates laws designed to protect wildlife. 

The crisis facing songbirds in the Southern Caribbean and Guiana Shield is part of a larger global issue, with similar problems occurring in Southeast Asia. By addressing these challenges in the Southern Caribbean and Guiana Shield, we can contribute to protecting these birds and other species worldwide. 

Solution 

To combat the illegal, often inhumane, and unsustainable trade of neotropical songbirds, IFAW is launching a highly collaborative project focused on both the Southern Caribbean and Guiana Shield (SCGS) region as well as countries in the Global North like the US and the Netherlands, where large diasporas from these regions reside. The project’s goal is to protect these birds by promoting conservation, animal welfare, cultural heritage, and public health. 

The project focuses on three main strategies: 

1. Trade research: The project conducts detailed research to map out and understand the entire songbird trade chain, from the SCGS countries to communities in the US and the Netherlands. 
2. Social science: The project delves into the social aspects of the songbird trade using behavior-centered design (BCD) methodology, studying the behaviours, motivations, and values of those involved in it, including local communities.  
3. Legal review and reform: The project reviews existing laws related to songbird trade in countries with large SCGS communities abroad, such as the US and the Netherlands. The goal is to increase the understanding of legal complexities surrounding the songbird trade and identify gaps in the legal frameworks. By combining these efforts, the project aims to create long-term solutions that protect songbirds and the cultures that value them, while also addressing broader environmental and legal challenges. 

Impact 

The expected outcomes of this project will have a lasting impact on the conservation of neotropical songbirds. The first research phase of the project involves gathering crucial data about the demand for and trade of these birds, particularly those used in singing competitions.  

Key impacts include: 

• Trade chain mapping: Mapping how songbirds are traded will help identify the sources, trade routes, and destinations of the birds, providing a clearer understanding of the trade’s scope. The findings will be used to inform future strategies to protect songbirds. 
• Social science research: The project uses BCD to analyse the behaviours, motivations, and values of people involved in the songbird trade. Through an enhanced understanding of why people engage in this trade, the project can inform targeted behaviour change initiatives aimed at protecting birds in a sustainable, ethical way. 
• Legal analysis: By examining existing laws related to the songbird trade and identifying weaknesses, the project will propose reforms and suggest improvements that align with international conservation standards or best practices to strengthen legal protective measures, curb illegal trade, and support the recovery of wild songbird populations. 
• Collaboration: This project will strengthen community engagement and identify strategic pathways to integrate cultural communities abroad into broader conservation initiatives. In addition, it will enhance regional collaboration and information-sharing among stakeholders across trade chains.