Removing invasive predators from islands improves the welfare of native birds dramatically and is among the most cost-effective conservation interventions.
The welfare of island birds in the presence of invasive predators involves the chronic fear of predation, the loss of nesting success, and the disruption of social and breeding behaviors evolved in predator-free environments. Removing invasive predators transforms the welfare situation for affected birds: predator removal studies document rapid behavioral changes as birds that evolved without predators re-express their natural behavior repertoire. The welfare and conservation benefits of island predator removal are perfectly aligned and achievable at relatively modest cost.