Justification of Red List Category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as fairly common (del Hoyo et al. 1992
Trend justification
The species faces intense hunting pressure in many parts of its range, especially where it occurs in proximity to human habitation. It is also negatively affected by the burning of pampas grassland. However, clearing of tropical forests, and the resultant habitats created benefit the species (del Hoyo et al. 1992).
Text account compilers
Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Species factsheet: Rhynchotus maculicollis. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2023.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2023) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2023.