Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to undergo moderately rapid declines as a consequence of habitat clearance in its small range. Moreover, its population is assumed to be small, but there is considerable uncertainty around the estimate. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified directly, but the species is described as rare to common in suitable habitat (Renjifo et al. 2016). Nevertheless, assuming that not all of its range is inhabited, the population is suspected to not exceed 10,000 mature individuals; it is therefore here placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. It is further assumed that all individuals belong to the same subpopulation. Based on its good dispersal abilities, ability to tolerate a variety of habitats, and the continuous records within the range (Renjifo et al. 2016; eBird 2021), it is assumed that all individuals belong to the same subpopulation.
Trend justification
Deforestation and land clearance has affected the species's range. Short-term trends quantify the rate of habitat loss as 23% over ten years between 2001 and 2011 (Renjifo et al. 2016). Since the species does inhabit disturbed habitats such as roadsides, population declines may be moderate; assuming that habitat loss is continuing at the same rate to the present day and into the future, the rate of population decline is precautionarily suspected at 20-29% over ten years.
Molothrus armenti is found only on the northern coast of Colombia in northern Bolivar, Atlántico and Magdalena, with further records in La Guajira (Rada Quintero 2002; Renjifo et al. 2016).
It inhabits a range of arid, open habitats in the lowlands, including dry woodland, second-growth shrubland, agricultural land and roadsides, as well as mangroves (Fraga 2016). Despite a lack of information on life-history traits, the species is assumed to be a brood parasite (Renjifo et al. 2016).
Deforestation and land clearance, driven by an increase in human population density, has affected the species’s range (Rada Quintero 2002; Renjifo et al. 2016). It is estimated that 73% if the original dry topical vegetation along the Caribbean coast of Colombia has already been lost (Renjifo et al. 2016).
Conservation actions in place
The species is found in the Isla de Salamanca National Park and other protected areas.
Conservation actions needed
Quantify the population size. Quantify and monitor the population trend. Investigate the species's ecology and behaviour. Protect habitat within the range.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Wheatley, H.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Elliott, N. & Evans, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bronze-brown Cowbird Molothrus armenti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bronze-brown-cowbird-molothrus-armenti 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.