Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very 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, but this species is described as 'fairly common' to 'plentiful' (Stotz et al. 1996, Schulenberg and Johnson 2020 and references therein).
Trend justification
Due to its restriction to cloud and elfin forest, the species is suspected to decline as a consequence of habitat loss. Within the range, tree cover is lost at a rate of 2% over three generations (10.4 years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Population declines are therefore likely slow; they are here tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over three generations.
Henicorhina leucoptera is known from a disjunct range in the eastern Andes of southern Peru and northern Ecuador. Records are from the Cordillera del Cóndor in Zamora Chinchipe (Ecuador) and adjacent Cajamarca and Amazonas (Peru), further south along the border between Amazonas, San Martín and Loreto, in southern San Martín, in the Cordillera Azul, as well as in northern Huanuco (Peru). While records are localised there are large tracts of continuous, undisturbed forests remaining, and the species may be more widespread than currently known.
This species inhabits dense, mossy cloud forest at 1,350-2,750 m, especially favouring the understorey of stunted or elfin forest on exposed ridges (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Schulenberg and Awbrey 1997, Schulenberg et al. 2007).
The species has a patchy distribution within an apparently disjunct range; however its habitats are reasonably intact and not under imminent pressure (Schulenberg and Awbrey 1997, Schulenberg and Johnson 2020, F. Angulo in litt. 2022). Tree cover loss within the range is very low, but elfin forest in the south of its range readily accessible from the páramo and clearly vulnerable to grazing and burning (Stattersfield et al. 1998, Global Forest Watch 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Ecuador (Freile et al. 2019) and as Near Threatened in Peru (SERFOR 2018).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to locate additional populations and to better determine the distribution range. Quantify the population size. Conduct ecological studies aimed at identifying the habitat requirements of this species. Determine its tolerance of habitat degradation or fragmentation. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Ensure that key sites supporting suitable habitats receive adequate protection.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Angulo Pratolongo, F., Butchart, S., Gilroy, J. & Sharpe, C.J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bar-winged Wood-wren Henicorhina leucoptera. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bar-winged-wood-wren-henicorhina-leucoptera 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.