Project Pawi: recovery of the Trinidad piping-guan

Aidan Keane

The Trinidad piping-guan, or pawi, is considered Critically Endangered due to its extremely small population, continuing habitat loss and illegal hunting. Our project addresses several priority actions proposed in Threatened Birds of the World 2004. Using distance sampling techniques, radio telemetry and indirect methods we will obtain data on the species’ population density and ecological requirements, and assess the effect, scale and economic/cultural importance of hunting in key areas. Together with local people and institutions, we will produce a comprehensive recovery plan, and generate the protocols for a long-term programme of monitoring for this unique bird.