• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to have a small population. Its freshwater marsh habitat is patchily distributed and limited in extent. Habitat loss and degradation are ongoing, causing population declines and local extinctions. The species consequently qualifies as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population is yet to be accurately quantified. The species is described as locally common, but patchily distributed due to its strict dependency on freshwater marshes (Curson 2020). Given that the area of remaining suitable habitat is likely to total only a few hundred km², of which only a proportion will be occupied, and despite that the species occurs at high local densities averaging c.100 individuals/km² (Hernández-Sánchez et al. 2020), populations are unlikely to exceed 10,000 mature individuals. The global population is therefore tentatively inferred at 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, but further surveys are required to validate this estimate.
Based on observational records (per eBird 2021), the population is likely forming at least five small subpopulations.

Trend justification
The species is undergoing a decline owing to ongoing degradation and destruction of habitat, which has already led to local extinctions at formerly occupied sites (Curson 2020). The decline is described as 'serious' (Curson 2020); tentatively it is here placed in the band 1-19% over ten years, but this requires confirmation.

Geothlypis flavovelata is resident in central Tamaulipas and adjacent Nuevo Leon, extreme east San Luis Potosí and north Veracruz, north-east Mexico. Known occupied sites include Presa Vicente Guerrero/Laguna Champayán in Tamaulipas, north-east of El Naranjo in San Luis Potosí, inland from Tecolutla in Veracruz, and near Aldama in Tamaulipas (Curson et al. 1994, S.N.G. Howell in litt. 1998, Howell 1999, J. Clinton-Eitniear in litt. 2000, Hernández-Sánchez et al. 2020).

The species inhabits freshwater marshes, typically with cattail Typha reedbeds, from small ponds and irrigation ditches (e.g. Presa Vicente Guerrero) to large reedbeds (e.g. Tecolutla) (Howell 1999, Curson 2020). It may also inhabit areas of sugar cane irrigation, seasonally flooded land or livestock grasslands (E. Rodriguez-Ruiz in litt. 2016). It feeds on a variety of foodstuffs, including vegetation, seeds, fruit, insects and arachnids (Rodríguez-Ruíz and Banda-Valdez 2015).

Loss of habitat has extirpated several local populations (Curson et al. 1994). Freshwater marshes have been heavily modified throughout its range, primarily for cattle-ranching, agriculture and urban growth (Stattersfield et al. 1998, E. Rodriguez-Ruiz in litt. 2016), but the species appears able to persist in small parcels of habitat (S.N.G. Howell in litt. 1998, Howell 1999). Industrial developments are a further threat; this has resulted in considerable drainage since the 1970s, making the future of suitable marshes uncertain.
 
Its use of sugar cane plantations may bring this species into contact with further threats, as the main harvest period for this crop coincides with the breeding season; and the aerial application of pesticides on sugar cane is likely to be affecting the species and its prey (E. Rodriguez-Ruiz in litt. 2016).

Conservation Actions Underway
While there has not been a targeted education and awareness programme for this species, primary school children receive environmental education on the priority species in the region (E. Rodriguez-Ruiz in litt. 2016).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey any remaining patches of freshwater marsh within the known range to produce an accurate population estimate. Implement standardised surveys to monitor the species's distribution and density. Study the potential impacts that the use of pesticides may be having on the species and its habitat.
Protect known sites and any other important sites found during surveys. Discourage the draining of small marshes on private land. Conduct awareness campaigns with sugar cane plot owners and hold talks to discuss alternative management practices to reduce the impacts on this species.

12 cm. Yellow-olive, masked bird. Yellow-olive upperparts, yellow on crown bordering black mask. Bright yellow underparts, washed dusky olive on flanks. Female lacks mask and has yellow face with olive ear-coverts. Immature male resembles female with mottled black on face. Immature female resembles female but duller with buffy underparts. Pink legs. Black bill. Similar spp. Common Yellowthroat G. trichas has grey border to mask. Female duller and lacks mostly yellow face and underparts. Voice Song is rich, scratchy series of phrases similar to G. trichas. Harsh chrek call.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Everest, J.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Capper, D., Clinton Eitniear, J., Howell, S., Mahood, S., Pople, R., Retter, M., Rodriguez Ruiz, E.R., Sharpe, C.J., Straub, R. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Altamira Yellowthroat Geothlypis flavovelata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/altamira-yellowthroat-geothlypis-flavovelata on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.