Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population, which is scattered in isolated subpopulations, and is declining as a consequence of continued habitat loss and fragmentation. For these reasons it is evaluated as Endangered.
Population justification
Based on extensive surveys across the range, it is estimated that the population numbers less than 2,500 mature individuals (ICMBio 2018). It is here placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
The species is restricted to isolated forest fragments and observational records are scattered across the range (ICMBio 2018, eBird 2022). The species has low dispersal abilities and has not been observed crossing large gaps between forests; it is therefore assumed that it forms several very small subpopulations, the largest of which does not exceed 250 mature individuals (ICMBio 2018).
Trend justification
The species is described as rare and confined to small subpopulations in disjunct patches of forest, which are isolated from each other due to the species' inability to cross gaps of open habitat between forests (IMCBio 2018). It is therefore inferred that the population is in decline on the basis of reductions in forest cover and increasing fragmentation between populations.
Within the range, 4% of tree cover is lost over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). As patches of suitable habitat are scattered and isolated, and as the species has only limited dispersal abilities (ICMBio 2018), population declines may exceed the rate of tree cover loss due to the additional impact of habitat fragmentation. Tentatively, population declines are here placed in the band 10-19% over ten years, but an accurate quantification of the trend is urgently required.
Iodopleura pipra is found in the Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil. Subspecies leucopygia is restricted to a small area in the northern part of the range (Paraíba, Pernambuco and Alagoas), and subspecies pipra is found in scattered sites in Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná. Two specimens labelled as from Demerara, Guyana probably originated from Brazil.
It inhabits the canopy of mainly coastal, lowland and foothill Atlantic forest. It can tolerate secondary growth, forest under-planted with cocoa, and clearings with scattered trees, but has overall low dispersal abilities and has not been observed moving between isolated forest patches (ICMBio 2018, Snow and Sharpe 2020).
There is some evidence that the species may be associated with a single species of tall, fine-leafed leguminous tree, which is widespread and locally common, and often supports the clumps of mistletoe on which it primarily feeds. Apart from mistletoe berries, insects are consumed, being caught by upward sallying (Whittaker and Kirwan 2008). Breeding has been recorded in August (with the egg laid in mid-July), September, and in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in October, with a singing male recorded in December in Espírito Santo (A. Whittaker in litt. 1999, Whittaker and Kirwan 2008).
Loss of Atlantic forest is the main threat, since this habitat is rapidly being logged, mostly for agricultural and real-estate development. Possible migratory movements to adjacent montane areas in the austral summer will be disrupted by the increasing fragmentation of Atlantic forest.
Conservation Actions Underway
It is protected under Brazilian law. Subspecies leucopygia is listed as Critically Endangered at the national level, while subspecies pipra is listed as Endangered (ICMBio 2018). It occurs in a number of protected areas, including Serra das Lontras, Itatiaia and Serra dos Órgãos national parks.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to accurately quantify the population trend. Study its ecological requirements and seasonal movements. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Protect and secure key sites, notably around Ubatuba in São Paulo, and Murici and Usina Serra Grande in Alagoas. Consider restoring degraded habitat, with the aim of creating dispersal corridors to facilitate movement and gene flow between subpopulations.
9.5 cm. Small, grey cotinga. Dark ashy-grey above with darker crown. Duskier long wings and short tail. Pale cinnamon-buff throat, middle chest and undertail-coverts. Rest of underparts whitish barred grey. Lilac flank tufts often concealed. Sometimes white band on rump. Black, short, stubby bill. Female similar with no tufts. Voice Very thin and metallic psí-si.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Capper, D., Clay, R.P., Harding, M., Oniki, Y., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Wheatley, H., Whittaker, A., Williams, R. & Willis, E.O.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Buff-throated Purpletuft Iodopleura pipra. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/buff-throated-purpletuft-iodopleura-pipra 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.