Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a 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 population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is described as rare and local (Freile and Restall 2018, Hilty 2021).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but the only threat known to the species is the logging and fragmentation of forests within the range. On this basis, a slow population decline is suspected.
Tree cover loss within the range is very low and localised (1% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). This value does however not account for additional degradation of forests. The overall rate of habitat loss may be higher; however it is unlikely that it exceeds 10% over ten years. This value is confirmed by a projection of habitat loss for the Colombian part of the range, which calculated a rate of 2-5% over ten years (Negret et al. 2021). Under the assumption that population declines in this forest-dependent species are roughly equivalent to the rate of habitat loss, they are here placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
Veniliornis chocoensis occurs on the Pacific coast from Chocó, Colombia, south to Esmeraldas and Manabí, Ecuador.
The species inhabits lowland evergreen forest interior and edge up to 1,450 m (Freile and Restall 2018, Hilty 2021, Huang et al. 2021, GBIF.org 2023).
The species is threatened by the loss, degradation and fragmentation of forests. Logging, human settlement, cattle-grazing, mining as well as coca and palm cultivation pose threats (Dinerstein et al. 1995, Wege and Long 1995). The overall rate of habitat loss however is currently low, with large tracts of pristine forests remaining within the range (Global Forest Watch 2023).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in El Pangán Reserve, Farallones de Cali and Utria National Parks, and La Sierpe Regional Park in Colombia; and Cotocachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and Bilsa in Ecuador. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Ecuador (Freile et al. 2019), but Least Concern in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Study its ecology and its ability to persist in degraded and fragmented habitats. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Effectively manage protected areas where the species occurs.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Sánchez-Nivicela, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Choco Woodpecker Veniliornis chocoensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/choco-woodpecker-veniliornis-chocoensis 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.