The Avifauna fernandeziana is described and analysed according to species richness, habitat choice, and breeding status. Taxonomic composition and biogeographical origin are identifi ed. Finally the current conservation status of birds is analysed from a geographical point of view using WALTER’s eigenplace index. The avifauna is represented by only 55 recorded species, one third regular breeders and two thirds visitors. Most species records come from the island Robinson Crusoe (41), followed by Alejandro Selkirk (26) and small Santa Clara (8). Eleven species breed on Crusoe and seven on Selkirk, but they share no endemics. In total 14 bird orders, 29 families and 41 genera are present. Richest orders are Procellariiformes (18 species) followed by Passeriformes (7) and Charadriiformes (7). On average 1.3 species are found per genus, 2.0 genera per family, and 1.7 families per order. Most seabirds originate from Subantarctic/Temperate zones, most landbirds from the Neotropis (together 65 %). Using the eigenplace index, all endemics appear in the two highest scored conservation classes. The six endemic landbird taxa are highly threatened, especially Sephanoides fernandensis and Aphrastura masafuerae. For the low species richness diverse factors may be responsible: low observation intensity, low immigration rates by isolation, competition for limited resources, and predation without retreat areas. The findings support the theoretical suggestion that on islands closely related taxa tend to reduce each other and that one generalist tends to replace several specialists.

Avifauna fernandeziana, biodiversity, island birds, island theory, endemics, endangered species, conservation, eigenplace index, Neotropical realm, Juan Fernández Islands.