• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a very small range, which is mostly confined to protected areas. Habitat loss is very low and the population is thought to be stable. Therefore, the species is assessed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
Based on density estimates from Piedras Blancas National Park extrapolated over the area of suitable habitat in the entire range, the global population is estimated at 12,432-20,720 individuals (Cornils et al. 2015). Assuming that 2/3 of these are mature, this roughly equates to 8,200-14,000 mature individuals. 
The subpopulation structure has not formally been investigated, but based on observational records within the very small range (per eBird 2021) it is assumed that all individuals belong to the same subpopulation.

Trend justification
The population has likely declined in the past due to the loss, fragmentation and degradation of forests. However, the vast majority of the population occurs within protected areas, where habitat is not at risk (Cornils et al. 2015, Pott et al. 2020). Throughout the range tree cover loss is very low (<2% over three generations; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The population is therefore assessed as stable.

Habia atrimaxillaris is restricted to the Osa Peninsula and around the Golfo Dulce in south-west Costa Rica.

The species inhabits the understorey of dense lowland forest, advanced secondary growth and streamside woodland (Stiles and Skutch 1989, Capper et al. 1998, Cornils et al. 2015, Pott et al. 2020). It is restricted to the forest interior, but avoids edges, younger successional forest, gallery forest and small forest fragments surrounded by converted habitat (Cornils et al. 2015). The species is territorial; it occurs singly, in pairs or small family groups, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks (Stiles and Skutch 1989, Pott et al. 2020). It feeds primarily on insects, but also on fruits and small vertebrates (Stiles and Skutch 1989, Pott et al. 2020). Breeding takes place from mid-January to May and nesting at a mature secondary forest site is described by Sandoval and Gallo (2009).

Due to its high dependency on the interior of mature forests, the species is severely threatened by the logging and fragmentation of forests within the range. The vast majority of the forest to the north and east of the Golfo Dulce has already been logged in the past (G. Stiles in litt. 1999); the species is now largely restricted to protected areas where habitat appears secure and currently not at risk (Cornils et al. 2015, Pott et al. 2020). Outside of protected areas tree cover loss is ongoing at a slow rate (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein).

Conservation Actions Underway
Almost the entire global population is confined to protected areas, including Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park and Golfito Faunal Refuge.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss, particularly outside protected areas.
Protect any remaining habitat outside existing protected areas. Consider establishing a captive breeding population to support future reintroduction and supplementation efforts. Raise awareness for the species and its habitat.

18-19 cm. Head mostly blackish with contrasting salmon throat. Dark red iris. Black bill and dark horn legs. Male has bright salmon-orange but partially concealed central crown-patch. Otherwise black head and dark grey upperparts tinged reddish. Blackish wings and tail. Dusky red on breast. Female duller with smaller crown-patch. Immature even duller, more brownish and lacks crown-patch. Similar spp. Female Rosy Thrush-tanager Rhodinocichla rosea is more extensively reddish below and has bicoloured eyebrow. Voice Scolding, paper-tearing noise. Harsh zurzurzurzurzur. Chak grunts and chek or chuk contact calls. Mellow, whistled dawn song with 6-11 phrases, often ending with a single chonk.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J. & Stiles, F.G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-cheeked Ant-tanager Habia atrimaxillaris. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-cheeked-ant-tanager-habia-atrimaxillaris 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.