Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Endangered because it occurs in a very small range, in which habitat is lost and degraded at a slow rate. Its population is likely very small and restricted to several extremely small and disconnected subpopulations. Recent findings suggest that the species is able to tolerate some habitat conversion, and accurate quantifications of the population size and trend are urgently required.
Population justification
Birds at Ituberá are rare and patchily distributed (P. C. Lima in litt. 2006). In the Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, where the species is distributed in forests along the watercourses and wetlands as well as in abandoned rubber groves, ten territories could be detected, and a preliminary extrapolation based on available habitat suggests that the reserve could hold more than 20 territories (K. Flesher in litt. 2020). There are no recent estimates for other parts of the range. Even though surveys are finding the species at new localities, it is unlikely that the overall population numbers more than 1,000 mature individuals; it is here tentatively placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals, but an accurate population estimate is required.
The subpopulation structure has not been formally investigated, but based on the localised distribution (per eBird 2021, WikiAves 2021) and the overall low dispersal abilities of tapaculos (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2003), it is assumed that the species forms several extremely small, disconnected subpopulations.
Trend justification
The species has undoubtedly undergone major declines in the past, as the native lowland forest of Bahia on which it relies has been reduced to c.10% of its original extent. Currently, 6% of tree cover is lost over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). In the Reserva Ecológica da Michelin landscape, the population is apparently not showing signs of decline (K. Flesher in litt. 2013, 2020). The discovery of new territories in the reserve may however be a sign of increased survey effort and not necessarily reflect a population increase, and much suitable habitat remains unoccupied (K. Flesher in litt. 2020).
While threats to its habitat remain, the impact of logging activities on the population size may be low as the species is found in a variety of forest types as long as dense low vegetation is present (K. Flesher in litt. 2020). Population declines are therefore likely slow, not exceeding 10% over ten years.
This species occurs in coastal Bahia, Brazil. Until recently, it was known only from three specimens taken at two localities: a male collected in July 1944 at Ilhéus and a pair obtained in October 1983 at Valença (Collar et al. 1992, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2003). The species has since been found at Reserva Ecológica da Michelin of the Plantações Michelin da Bahia, Igrapiúna municipality near Ituberá, and Una Biological Reserve, Una municipality, where small populations survive (C. Gatto in litt. 2006, P. C. Lima in litt. 2006, F. Olmos in litt. 2006, K. Flesher in litt. 2010). Subsequent surveys found in in a further four municipalities; Ilhéus, Maraú, Taperoá and Valença (C. Gatto in litt. 2006, P. Develey in litt. 2007).
This species occurs at 15-220 m. It is restricted to dense riparian vegetation along waterways (K. Flesher in litt. 2010, 2020) and small swamps around the main river course or swampy parts of the river itself, up to a maximum of c. 50 m from the river channel (C. Gatto in litt. 2006). Its preferred micro-habitat appears to be areas with dense agglomerates of vines and shrubs, covered by trunks and branches of fallen trees (C. Gatto in litt. 2006). It is found in all forest types, including wet primary forest, secondary forests in various successional stages, heavily logged forest and wetlands in rubber groves (K. Flesher in litt. 2020). Not much is known about its biology, ecology and behaviour as the species is extremely shy, retiring and difficult to detect during surveys.
The destruction of coastal Atlantic forest has been extensive in Bahia, south of Salvador, and only small fragments remain, totalling perhaps 10% of their original extent in the area (Tobias et al. 2006). Currently, tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 5% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Logging activities are mainly targeting large isolated remnant trees, which is unlikely to pose a great risk to the species (K. Flesher in litt. 2020). The species may even benefit from low levels of logging, as this may favour the growth of dense vegetation in the understory (K. Flesher in litt. 2020).
Conservation and Research Actions Underway
Parts of the species's range are protected: The Reserva Ecológica da Michelin covers 3,000 ha and is patrolled by four forest guards, who have been effective in reducing cutting and clearing of the forest, as well as recording the species (K. Flesher in litt. 2010, 2011). The species's calling activity and habitat use are being monitored, and there are plans to establish a systematic monitoring scheme using playback (K. Flesher in litt. 2020). The Una Biological Reserve covers an area of 18,000 ha.
Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Search for the species in other fragments of remaining habitat in the area. Quantify the population size. Continue studying the known populations at Ituberá and Una. Study the species's ecology, including habitat requirements, breeding biology and subpopulation structure. Expand the monitoring scheme to quantify the overall population trend.
Effectively safeguard Una Biological Reserve and the habitat at Ituberá. Initiate sustainable development projects within the species's range.
11.5 cm. Contrasting tapaculo. Slaty above with white underparts. Dark slaty-grey head, upperparts and flanks with bluish tinge. White loral spot. Cinnamon-rufous wash to rump and scapulars. White cheeks and throat extending to belly. Inconspicuous scaled effect on belly. Pale cinnamon-rufous sides to belly and vent. Dark slaty thighs tinged bluish. Blackish bill with whitish base of mandible. Pinkish legs. Similar spp. Closely resembles allopatric White-breasted Tapaculo S. indigoticus, but it lacks the flank barring that is conspicuous in that species. It also has bluish-grey colouring at the base of the tibia compared with barred cinnamon plumage in indigoticus. Voice Consists of a sequence of short notes (27-28, nine emissions per second) similar to S. indigoticus, which is a descending and accelerating series of very dry and harsh tchj staccato notes. Also regular, frog-like, slightly ascending call frrrrrrrooww, lasting an average of 3.25 seconds. The alarm call consists of a low frequency short note (0.6-1.3 kHz).
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Bird, J., Butchart, S., Clay, R.P., De Luca, A., Develey, P., Flesher, K., Gatto, C., Harding, M., Lima, P.C., Olmos, F., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Williams, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bahia Tapaculo Eleoscytalopus psychopompus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bahia-tapaculo-eleoscytalopus-psychopompus on 24/12/2024.
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 24/12/2024.