Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely 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. It is described as generally rare, local and occurring at low densities, though it may probably be overlooked (del Hoyo et al. 2022).
Trend justification
There is no data on the population trend, but declines are suspected on the basis of habitat loss. Over three generations (10.2 years), 6% of tree cover is lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is strictly dependent on forest, and habitat degradation and fragmentation may accelerate population declines further. Therefore, population declines are here placed in the band 10-19% over three generations.
Laniisoma buckleyi occurs on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Its known range is highly disjunct, but at least in parts of the range large tracts of habitat remain intact and the species may be more widespread and continuously distributed than currently thought (del Hoyo et al. 2022).
The species inhabits montane and lowland evergreen forest at elevations of up to 1,800 m (Meyer de Schauensee and Phelps 1978, Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Stotz et al. 1996). It is unknown why it does not extend much more widely into the lowlands, but its narrow range at the base of the East Andes may be related to a seasonal migration to higher altitudes, perhaps to breed (Snow 1982). Breeding is thought to begin in late August to early September (Snow 1982). It frequents both canopy and understorey, at times associating with mixed-species flocks. The diet is reported to be mainly small insects, supplemented by pulpy fruit in season (Snow 1982).
Widespread destruction of forest is being caused by peasant farmers and tea and coffee growers all along the east slope of the Andes (Collar et al. 1992). Many of the foothill forests of the northern portion of the Andes are under intense from conversion to agriculture and cattle pasture, mining operations and logging, the effects of which are intensified by road building and human colonisation (Dinerstein et al. 1995). In La Paz, Bolivia, large areas of its foothill forests have already been deforested by colonists from the altiplano for subsistence agriculture and the cultivation of cash crops such as coca and coffee (Collar et al. 1992). The rate of deforestation however varies considerably across the range, and much of the species' habitat in parts of the range remains relatively intact, especially in higher elevations (Collar et al. 1992, Global Forest Watch 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
This species is found in several protected areas. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Ecuador (Freile et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable habitat between known sites to locate additional populations and to refine the distribution range. Quantify the population size. Research the species' ecology and population structure. Investigate the impact of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation on the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Effectively manage protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity conservation. Incentivise conservation on private lands through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture (Soares-Filho et al. 2006).
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Harding, M., Sharpe, C.J., Taylor, J., Temple, H. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Andean Mourner Laniisoma buckleyi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/andean-mourner-laniisoma-buckleyi on 18/12/2024.
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 18/12/2024.