Species Distribution Models (SDM) relate species records to environmental predictor variables through statistical functions. They proved to be valuable tools in ecology and biogeography and are increasingly used to underpin the implementation of protection or management strategies for species conservation. However, most existing SDM approaches neglect a widespread dual issue suggested by ecological theory on source-sink dynamics or ecological traps, that is, a variety of factors may cause individuals to be present in unsuitable environmental conditions and/or absent from suitable ones. So, there is a crucial need to better root the formulation of SDM into ecological theory as such niche-distribution relationships hamper the precise delineation of suitable areas when following standard practise in SDM. This project was focused on bridging this gap from a conservation standpoint. It particularly sought to conceptually and technically improve modelling approaches to deal with a possible dissociation between habitat suitability and occupancy, so as to ultimately identify what does and what does not constitute suitable habitat for the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) in Southern Belgian farming areas.