Research on Saunders Island

Scientific Research

Saunders Island has supported and has served as the main study site for research on the ecology of the near-threatened raptor, Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis), or more commonly reffered to as "Johnny Rooks" in the Falkland Islands. There are an estimated 3,000 Johnny Rooks left in the world, with the highest density within the Falklands. Despite how highly curious and personable these raptors are, little studies have been conducted on them. Our goal is to understand more about them as a species, both as a population and as individuals. One way we begin to do this is by placing unique bands/rings on one of their legs. Please scroll down to learn more about the project, the team, and how you can help out with the study!

Falklands Conservation

Falklands Conservation is a Falkland Islands and UK registered charity dedicated to protecting the island's unique wildlife and environment. Click "Falklands Conservation" above to learn more about this charity.

Facebook Page

Interested in learning more about the
Falklands' Johnny Rooks?

Click "Facebook Page" above to read all about our project.

Report Band Sightings

We need your help!

If you decide to visit the Falklands, we are asking for your help. Re-sightings of banded birds are critical data we need collected for this project. Suzan Pole-Evans has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty, and has provided us with over 4,000(!) re-sightings of banded Johnny Rooks that come to Saunders Island. However, you may see birds we may not. Even if they are of the same birds, day after day, this is still important. The information needed is the colour of the band, the alpha-numeric code, the date, and the location. Photos are also greatly appreciated and sometimes are an easier way to collect almost all of this information at once (plus, our birds love to be in front of a camera). Please email: johnnyrookproject@gmail.com

Prior research team with Johnny Rooks.