EN
Boa Nova Tapaculo Scytalopus gonzagai



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note

Scytalopus gonzagi (del Hoyo and Collar 2016) is recognized as a species following work by Maurício et al. (2014).

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.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- B1ab(ii,iii) B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii); D2

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2022 Endangered B1ab(ii,iii)
2016 Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)
2012 Not Recognised
2008 Not Recognised
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

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

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 3,300 km2
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 760 km2
Number of locations 2-5 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 1000-2499 mature individuals medium estimated 2014
Population trend decreasing - suspected 2016-2026
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-19% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-19% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-19% - - -
Generation length 3.06 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population was estimated at 2,880 individuals (Maurício et al. 2014), which roughly equates to 1,920 mature individuals. To account for uncertainties, the population is here placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals, but a recent population estimate is urgently required. Given the geographical division between the two known areas for the species, it is assumed that it forms two disjunct subpopulations.

Trend justification: The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction. Within the range, tree cover is lost at a rate of 5% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). As the species is strictly dependent on forest favouring pristine areas (Maurício et al. 2014, del Hoyo et al. 2020), the rate of population decline may be faster than the rate of tree cover loss alone; it is here tentatively placed in the band 1-19% over ten year.


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

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 660 - 1140 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Boa Nova Tapaculo Scytalopus gonzagai. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/boa-nova-tapaculo-scytalopus-gonzagai on 03/12/2024.
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 03/12/2024.