NT
Apurimac Spinetail Synallaxis courseni



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
SACC. 2005 and updates. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Near Threatened D1
2016 Vulnerable D2
2012 Vulnerable D2
2010 Vulnerable D2
2008 Vulnerable D1; D2
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 1,940 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 1,576 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 1200-1600 mature individuals medium estimated 2023
Population trend stable medium suspected -
Generation length 3.11 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: This species was previously thought to be restricted to the Ampay National Sanctuary, where it is described as common with a population of roughly 600-800 individuals (Collar et al. 1992, J. Valenzuela in litt. 2010, Lloyd 2020). Individuals are now increasingly found in areas outside of the Sanctuary, including at Huayrapata, Pacaypata, Cerro Turronmocco and above Yanama (C. Aucca in litt. 2007, H. Lloyd and B. Walker in litt. 2007, eBird 2023). Based on observational records (per eBird 2023) and in the absence of an accurate quantification of the total population, it is here tentatively assumed that half of the global population is found within the Ampay National Sanctuary, and that the total population size is consequently 1,200-1,600 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The species inhabits a mosaic of cloud forest patches interspersed with cleared, degraded areas and agricultural fields (Lloyd 2020). This suggests that it shows a certain tolerance of and adaptation to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Tree cover loss within the range is negligible (<1% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Therefore, in the absence of evidence of any declines or substantial threats, the population is suspected to be stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Peru extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Peru Santuario Nacional del Ampay

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 2210 - 3850 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Apurimac Spinetail Synallaxis courseni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/apurimac-spinetail-synallaxis-courseni on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.