NT
Black-spectacled Brushfinch Atlapetes melanopsis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
SACC. 2005 and updates. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Near Threatened B1b(iii,v); C2a(i)
2016 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)
2012 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2008 Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v)
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 11,100 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 1500-7000 mature individuals poor suspected 2000
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2016-2026
Generation length 3.35 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population is preliminarily suspected to number 2,500-9,999 individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the range is likely to be occupied. This value is equivalent to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.
Based on observational records (eBird 2020), it is suspected that the species forms two subpopulations. Under the assumption that the total population size is closer to the lower end of the estimate, the largest subpopulation may number below 1,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population trend has not been assessed directly, but habitat within the range is slowly lost and degraded though burning (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999). It is precautionarily suspected that this is causing the population to decline; however any declines are likely very slow.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Peru extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Peru Río Mantaro - Cordillera Central

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude major resident
Altitude 2480 - 3400 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-spectacled Brushfinch Atlapetes melanopsis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-spectacled-brushfinch-atlapetes-melanopsis on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.