Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to undergo a moderately rapid decline, mainly as a consequence of widespread forest clearance in the Amazon basin. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been quantified directly, but the species is suspected to be declining as a consequence of widespread deforestation and hunting pressure (del Hoyo et al. 2020). Tree cover within the range has been lost at a rate of 17% over the last three generations (17.9 years); since 2016 this has been increasing to a rate equivalent to 23% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite being absent from fully cleared areas the species shows considerable tolerance of human-modified and disturbed habitats and is commonly observed in degraded forest, edge and savanna habitat (A. Lees in litt. 2014, del Hoyo et al. 2020). Therefore, tree cover loss along may not be driving a rapid population decline. The species may however be hunted for food and trapped for trade, the impact of which has not been quantified. Tentatively, it is suspected that the population declined by 10-19% over the past three generations, but following the acceleration of tree cover loss in 2016 the decline now falls in the band 20-29% over three generations.
Ramphastos ariel has a wide range south of the Amazon in Brazil, where it occurs in Amazonia east from the Rio Tapajós in Pará, Maranhão and Piauí states, and also disjunctly in Atlantic forest from eastern Pernambuco south to Santa Catarina (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
It inhabits forested lowlands, most often near water, in forest edge, swamp forest, clearings, secondary forest, riverine forest, patches in savannas and in cerrado, up to c.1,700 m, but generally below 1,000 m.
The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). It is also subject to hunting and trapping pressure (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
Conservation and research actions underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation and research actions proposed
Quantify the population size. Quantify the extend and impact of hunting and trapping on the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Effectively mange protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity conservation. Raise awareness for the species with the aim of reducing hunting and trapping pressure. Incentivise conservation on private lands, through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Lees, A., Phalan, B., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ariel Toucan Ramphastos ariel. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ariel-toucan-ramphastos-ariel 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.