Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This recently described species is listed as Critically Endangered. It had been known only from three museum specimens collected in 1971, until it was rediscovered in January 2018 in the Colombian Andes. The remaining population is thought to be extremely small.
Population justification
Until recently, the species was only known from three specimens; the most recent date of collection was in 1971. In January 2018, the species was rediscovered in the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros near Medellín (Correa-Peña et al. 2019).
So far, fewer than 20 individuals in four sites near San Pedro de los Milagros have been identified (American Bird Conservancy 2019, Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). A second subpopulation further north in Llanos de Cuivá and Santa Rosa de Osos is probably of a similar size (S. Chaparro-Herrera in litt. 2020). The total population is likely very small, and is thus here placed in the band <50 mature individuals.
Trend justification
There is no information on the population trend.
This species occurs on the Altiplano de Santa Rosa de Osos, Antioquia, Colombia. It is restricted to a small area in San Pedro de los Milagros and Llanos de Cuivá (Chaparro-Herrera and Lopera-Salazar 2019, Valencia-C et al. 2019). The species has only been described in 2007 based upon three specimens collected at a Universidad de la Salle retreat called La Lana, vereda Llano de Ovejas, near San Pedro de los Milagros. Two of the specimens are undated, but the third was collected in 1971 (Donegan 2007). Fieldwork in 2007 and 2008 failed to detect the species close to the labelled type locality (Donegan et al. 2009). Only in January 2018, a small population was rediscovered near the type locality at San Pedro de los Milagros, Antioquia (Correa-Peña et al. 2019). Since then, the species has been detected in several other sites near Yarumal, Antioquia (Valencia-C et al. 2019).
The species inhabits low scrub and bushes, but is occasionally seen in rural gardens (Correa-Peña et al. 2019, Valencia-C et al. 2019, Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). Nests are placed in low vegetation near the ground (Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). The species mainly ranges from 2,500-2,900 m. Several congeners occur in the region of the type locality; with two species, A. schistaceus and A. latinuchus, apparently occurring sympatrically. These species may be partly separated by altitudinal range with schistaceus only found at 2,800 m at the site, and a third species A. albinucha occurring at lower elevations (Donegan 2007).
The major threat to the species is habitat loss for conversion to agricultural land (Correa-Peña et al. 2019, Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). 73% of the natural vegetation within the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros has already been converted to cattle pastures, and the remaining habitat is likewise under risk of being converted to pasture and agricultural land (Correa-Peña et al. 2019). The species may also potentially be threatened by brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds (Chaparro-Herrera and Lopera-Salazar 2019, Correa-Peña et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is considered Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2014). Surveys were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to search for the species, though these proved unsuccessful (P. Salaman in litt. 2008, Donegan et al. 2009). Since January 2018, new searches have been being carried out to locate new subpopulations and to investigate the species's ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements, as well as to assess the threats it is facing (Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). Surveys to quantify the population size are ongoing (S. Chaparro-Herrera in litt. 2020). Awareness programmes are carried out in schools and local communities (Proyecto Atlapetes 2020). A Conservation Action Plan is currently being prepared by Proyecto Atlapetes, the University of Antioquia and the local government. The species is protected by the recently expanded Guanacas Reserve (Anon. 2021).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Explore the potential distribution range of the species. Carry out targeted searches for new subpopulations. Investigate the species's behaviour, ecology and habitat requirements. Investigate the threats to the species. Protect remaining habitat. Restore agricultural and pastureland, e.g. by promoting silvipasture methods. Continue environmental education and awareness campaigns among the local population (Proyecto Atlapetes 2020).
An overall grey brush-finch. Slate grey on the back and uppertail coverts; darker sooty-grey flight feathers and a black face mask from just in front of the eye to the back of the ear coverts. Has a bright rufous forehead, crown and nape. Pale below. Dark, fine, indistinct moustachial stripe. Shows a small white wing panel at the base of its central primaries. Juveniles lack the wing panel and show overall browner tones. Similar spp. It is slightly paler on the back than sympatric congeners. Differs from A. latinuchus in its brighter rufous crown, smaller wing panel, greyer (rather than blacker) back and grey rather than yellow plumage below. Differs from A. schistaceus in its larger and less pointed bill, brighter more extensive rufous crown, smaller wing panel, paler underside and lack of a bold moustachial or strong demarcation between the throat and breast.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Bird, J., Chaparro-Herrera, S., Proyecto Atlapetes, Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Antioquia Brushfinch Atlapetes blancae. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/antioquia-brushfinch-atlapetes-blancae on 24/11/2024.
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 24/11/2024.