European roller now almost entirely confined to Castro Verde

A new study finds Portugal's Critically Endangered European roller lost 67% of its national range over the past two decades, yet its population has doubled in Castro Verde, Alentejo, where 96% of the country's 72-82 breeding pairs now nest. The recovery is credited to about 1,000 artificial nests installed since 2009, originally meant for the lesser kestrel, now used by 81% of pairs. Researchers warn this dependency creates a 'conservation trap', requiring continued management, and recommend better-insulated nest boxes and habitat corridors to help the species expand beyond Castro Verde again.