Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Habitat is declining in extent, area and quality in parts of this species's very small and fragmented range. It is close to being listed as Endangered, but is known from more than five locations and consequently only qualifies as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The species is abundant on Coiba; the population there was estimated at 50,000-90,000 individuals based on transect data (Angehr and Blewett 2010). This equates to 33,000-60,000 mature individuals. No population estimates have been made for other islands or the mainland (G. R. Angehr in litt. 2020). Tentatively, the global population is here placed in the band 50,000-99,999 mature individuals, though this requires confirmation.
Trend justification
The species's population is suspected to be declining slowly, in line with the on-going threats of habitat destruction and hunting.
Leptotila battyi is restricted to the Pacific slope of western Panama, on the southwestern Azuero Peninsula, the islands of Coiba, Ranchería, Jicarón, and Jicarita in Coiba National Park, and the island of Cébaco in the Gulf of Montijo. It remains common on Coiba, Ranchería, and Jicarón, where threats are minimal. Wetmore (1968) found 'small numbers' on Cébaco in 1965. Its present status there is uncertain, although forest remains on the western third of the island and there are recent sight records. On the Azuero Peninsula it appears to be uncommon. although regularly recorded, and is likely declining in lowland areas due to deforestation (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989).
It inhabits forested areas and wooded swamps. On Coiba, it occurs at all elevations, but on the mainland it may be more common at higher elevations (Wetmore 1968, G. R. Angehr in litt. 1998, 2020).
Habitat destruction and fragmentation, and hunting for food threaten this species (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989, Baptista et al. 1997, G. R. Angehr in litt. 1998). On the mainland the main causes of deforestation are clearance for subsistence cultivation and for cattle pastures (G. R. Angehr in litt. 2007). Since the closure of the Coiba penal colony, areas on the island formerly maintained for cattle and agriculture have been reverting to forest, increasing the area of suitable habitat there (G. R. Angehr in litt. 2007). Away from Coiba, most lowland areas in its range have already been deforested (G. R. Angehr in litt. 1998).
Conservation Actions Underway
Coiba is a national park protecting nearly 50% of this species's range. On the mainland, it occurs within Cerro Hoya National Park and El Montuso Forest Reserve (Angehr 2003). The distribution and abundance on Coiba have been investigated in a research project (per Angehr and Blewett 2010).
25 cm. Medium-sized, brown dove. Grey crown, nape and throat. Chestnut-brown upperparts. Brown wings with blackish primaries and primary coverts. Brownish tail with white tips to outer two rectrices. Vinaceous underparts becoming white on belly. Dull red legs. Similar spp. White-tipped Dove L. verreauxi lacks grey crown, less brownish appearance and more white on outer rectrices. Call has same cadence but is deeper. Voice Typically mournful two-syllable cooing whoo-oooo repeated persistently.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Everest, J.
Contributors
Angehr, G., Benstead, P., Isherwood, I., Sharpe, C.J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Brown-backed Dove Leptotila battyi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/brown-backed-dove-leptotila-battyi on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.