NEST-SITE USE AND CHANGES IN HABITAT OF THE SEYCHELLES BLACK-PARADISEFLYCATCHER

The population size and extent of habitat for the Seychelles Black Par adise Flycatcher are compared with earlier investigations. The estimat ed world population is 90 individuals (1992). Deforestation on the wes tern plateau of La Digue is estimated to have resulted in a 24% declin e in Takamaka Calophyllum inophyllum and Indian Almond Terminalia cata ppa woodland since 1978. Monitoring of nest site use supports previous associations of the Flycatcher's dependence on Takamaka and Indian Al mond woodland (Collar and Stuart, 1985; Watson, 1991). Preliminary obs ervations suggest that land management practices (clearing Takamaka an d Indian Almond woodland for development) should be mitigated in view of the potential impact on nest site use by the flycatcher. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.