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

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 is very large, and hence does not 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 population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon (Carroll et al. 2020). In Colombia it has been inferred that the species may occur at a similar density to its congener O. hyperythrus (26 individuals/km²; Renjifo et al. 2016). Assuming that this density is representative for the entire range and further assuming that only 40% of forests within the range are occupied to account for its rarity (i.e., 4,000 km²; Global Forest Watch 2022), the global population may number 104,000 individuals. This roughly equates to 70,000 mature individuals; to account for uncertainty the population is here placed in the band 50,000-99,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but a slow and ongoing decline is suspected on the basis of rates of habitat loss and hunting pressure. Tree cover loss within the range is very low (2% over three generations; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Population declines may however exceed the rate of tree cover loss due to the additional impacts of forest degradation and of hunting. Tentatively, the rate of decline is here placed in the band 1-19% over three generations.

Odontophorus atrifrons occurs in northern Colombia and Venezuela. It is known from disjunct sites in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Sierra de Perijá and the northern and north-central East Andes, though its distribution may be wider and more continuous.

It inhabits montane humid forests at elevations of 800-3,100 m (McGowan et al. 1995, P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, Carroll et al. 2020). It is wary and secretive, foraging on the forest floor in dense undergrowth (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990). Two breeding-condition males and one laying female have been found in August, with an immature in July (Hilty and Brown 1986).

Due to its strict forest-dependence, the species is threatened by the loss and degradation of forests within its range. The Colombian East Andes have been subject to four centuries of extensive degradation, with progressive deforestation of the lower montane slopes (Forero 1989, Stiles et al. 1999). The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is threatened by agricultural expansion, logging and burning (Dinerstein et al. 1995). On the west slopes, marijuana plantations expanded widely in the 1980s, and were sprayed by the government with herbicides in the early 1990s (L. G. Olarte in litt. 1993, L. M. Renjifo in litt. 1993). The Sierra de Perijá is heavily deforested up to 2,000 m, by cattle-ranching at lower elevations and narcotics cultivation higher up (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 1997, 2000). The species is moreover hunted at least in parts of its range (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 1997, 2000).

Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas throughout its range, including Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, Colombia, and Sierra de Perijá National Park, Venezuela, though these do not necessarily provide adequate protection. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Venezuela (Sharpe and Lentino 2015) and as Near Threatened in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2016).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey areas of suitable habitat between known sites to identify additional populations. Accurately quantify the population size. Research its ecology. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Raise awareness for the species with the aim of reducing hunting pressure.

28-30 cm. Black-faced forest partridge with confusing vocalisation. Short, bushy, chestnut crest and hindcrown. Black face and throat. Overall brown body, with buff, greyish and black vermiculations on upperparts. Greyish-brown breast indistinctly spotted white. Cinnamon-buff belly streaked black. Voice Unlike other wood-quail, song is loud whistled bob-white, highly reminiscent of Santa Marta Antpitta Grallaria bangsi.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Keane, A., Olarte, L.G., Renjifo, L.M., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C J & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-fronted Wood-quail Odontophorus atrifrons. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-fronted-wood-quail-odontophorus-atrifrons 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.