Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size is unknown given recent taxonomic splits. The species is described as fairly common to common (del Hoyo et al. 2003).
Trend justification
Local declines are reported, likely as a consequence of large-scale logging of forests, and the species has disappeared from extensively cleared sites (Woltmann et al. 2020). Tree cover within the range has been lost at a rate of 10% over the past ten years; since 2017 this has been accelerating to a rate equivalent to 14% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite being most abundant in mature forests, the species nevertheless shows considerable tolerance of secondary habitats and is able to persist in small, isolated fragments (Woltmann et al. 2020). Consequently, habitat loss may not be driving substantial population declines. Tentatively, declines are here placed in the band 1-19% over ten years.
It inhabits dense understory of mature humid and wet forest, but is also found at lower densities in secondary forest of different successional stages and abandoned cocoa plantations; it is able to persist in small forest patches in degraded landscapes (Woltmann et al. 2020).
The species is threatened by extensive logging of forests within the range, mostly as a consequence of agricultural expansion, livestock farming, conversion to plantations, and urbanisation.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Carefully monitor the population trend to detect a potential acceleration of the decline.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N. & Miller, E.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Chestnut-backed Antbird Poliocrania exsul. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/chestnut-backed-antbird-poliocrania-exsul on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.