Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a small range, in which suitable habitat is lost and degraded at a low level. The population size is suspected to be very small, but any population declines are assumed to be low. The species is therefore evaluated as Near Threatened.
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.
Atlapetes melanopsis occurs in a small area of the Cordillera Central, Peru, where it is restricted to five localities north and south of the río Mantaro, in N Huancavelica and S Junín, and two in NE Ayacucho (Hosner et al. 2015). Since its discovery in 1996, individuals have been recorded at the following sites: Pariahuanca, Miotambo, the Lampa valley, Huachocollpa (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999), Río Punto (G. Engblom in litt. 2001), Ccano and Chupón (Hosner et al. 2015). Specimen material is limited to one individual taken south-east of Huachocollpa (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999).
It is restricted to dry, open bushy areas, often with dense thickets in ravines, at 2,480-3,400 m (an elevational zone that receives comparatively high seasonal rainfall) (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999). It has also been recorded in adjacent ecotones, e.g. near the edge of elfin forest, grading into humid montane forest. It occurs in groups of 1-3 individuals, foraging from the ground to the subcanopy of trees and shrubs, on epiphyte-covered or bare branches. Its diet appears to include insects and possibly seeds (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999).
Habitat destruction at elevations suitable for this species has been ongoing for several hundred years, but is probably not increasing, as the human population of the region is in decline owing to migration to larger towns and cities. Nonetheless, burning to maintain and increase available pasture prevents the regeneration of natural vegetation, except in steep, rocky areas and ravines (Valqui and Fjeldså 1999).
Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.
17.5 cm. Dull greenish-grey finch. Pale ochraceous-tawny cap. Black forehead. Whitish supraloral "horns". Short, indistinct malar stripe and large, black area around eyes. Dull greenish-grey upperparts, with darker wings and tail. Dusky underparts with some olivaceous tinge and faint yellowish flammulations. Black bill. Dark brownish-red iris. Grey feet. Similar spp. Allopatric Apurímac Brush-finch A. forbesi is pure grey, has ruddier head and reduced black around eyes. Voice Chattering chups and high pitch hoarse squeaky calls
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Engblom, G., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
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.