Scavenging raptors have been postulated to be
declining at a rate far higher than predatory raptors. To
test this hypothesis we reviewed the historical and present
status of the seven raptor species—three scavengers (two
kites and a vulture), one partial scavenger (a buzzard) and
three species (osprey and two falcons) that take live
prey—that breed on the Cape Verde islands. Scavenging
raptors have experienced steeper declines and more local
extinctions than non-scavengers in Cape Verde, with the
partial scavenger midway between the two groups. Causes
of scavenger decline include incidental poisoning, direct
persecution and declines in the availability of carcasses and
other detritus. These findings, which highlight the conservation
importance of the island of Santo Anta˜o, indicate
the priority that needs to be accorded to scavengers,
particularly in Europe where many insular populations
are reaching unsustainable levels.