• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Least Concern. It is suspected to have suffered a population decline owing to a reduction in suitable habitat (Collar et al. 1992). However, as recent information suggests that it may in fact tolerate or even favour degraded areas, it is conceivable that the population decline has been halted or possibly reversed.

Population justification
The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This species's population has until recently been suspected to be declining rapidly due to rates of habitat loss. However, further information suggest its apparent tolerance of degraded areas. It is conceivable that the negative population trend has stopped and the species is now stable or even increasing. Thus, the species is listed as Least Concern.

Microspingus cinereus is scarce and local in interior Brazil. There are recent records from Minas Gerais (Machado et al. 1998, Simon et al. 1999, Lopes et al. 2010, Lombardi et al. 2012), Chapada dos Veadeiros, Emas, Alta Paraiso and Minaçu in Goiás, and near Brasília in Distrito Federal. It may have been extirpated in Mato Grosso (no records since 1904), Mato Grosso do Sul (one record in 1937) and São Paulo (none since 1901). There is evidence that this has always been a rather scarce bird, but the extent of habitat loss indicates that it has probably declined significantly; however recent reports that it is frequent at a number of degraded sites may indicate that it is more numerous than previously believed. In the Atlantic Forest region of eastern Minas Gerais, the species appears to be extending its range as the amount of degraded habitat increases (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007, Lopes et al. 2010).

It was previously thought to inhabit campo cerrado grasslands and possibly open deciduous woodland but recent records suggest that this species not only persists in, but may in fact favour degraded areas, including burnt areas of campo rupestre, orchards, old pastures and abandoned mines (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007, Lopes et al. 2010). It occurs mostly at 600-1,400 m. The species may be semi-nomadic in response to fire succession and is extending its range towards degraded areas in eastern Minas Gerais (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007). The only breeding record was in September (A. Whittaker in litt. 1999).

The combined effects of grazing, invasive grasses, annual burning and conversion to agriculture for Eucalyptus plantations, soybeans and pastures for exportable crops (encouraged by government land reform) (Stotz et al. 1996, Parker and Willis 1997) had heavily or moderately altered two-thirds of the Cerrado region by 1993 (Conservation International 1999), with most of the destruction having occurred since 1950 (Cavalcanti 1999). Mining activities are reportedly affecting habitat in the south Cadeia do Espinhaço (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007). However, recent information indicates that this species not only persists in, but may in fact favour, modified habitats such as degraded and burnt cerrado, orchards, old pastures and abandoned mines (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007). In the Atlantic Forest region of eastern Minas Gerais the species appears to be extending its range as the amount of degraded habitat increases (M. F. Vasconcelos in litt. 1999, 2007, Lopes et al. 2010). Brood-parasitism by Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis has been recorded in the Serra do Cipó and will presumably increase with conversion to pastures (Simon et al. 1999).

Conservation Actions Underway
It is protected under Brazilian law and occurs in Emas, Brasília, Serra do Cipó and Chapada dos Veadeiros National Parks, Peti Reserve, Serra do Brigadeiro State Park and Mangabeiras Park (Machado et al. 1998, M. Bornschein per J. Mazar Barnett in litt. 1999, Simon et al. 1999, A. Whittaker in litt. 1999).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey areas with historical records and any additional habitat fragments. Determine its tolerance of degraded habitats across its range. Carry out studies to determine the likely causes of its scarcity. Protect known sites in west Minas Gerais. Reverse the aspects of government land reforms that encourage habitat loss.

13 cm. Small, greyish finch. Pale plumbeous upperparts. Loral area slightly darker. Dusky wings and tail, edged grey. Tail with white tip to outer rectrices. White throat and underparts. Blackish bill. Reddish iris. Immature washed brown on head. Similar spp. White-banded Tanager Neothraupis fasciata has obvious black mask and immatures are strongly tinged brown. Voice High-pitched and spirited warbles.

Text account compilers
Sharpe, C.J., Capper, D., Hermes, C., Pople, R., Symes, A., Wheatley, H.

Contributors
Davis, B., Mazar Barnett, J., Bornschein, M., Mahood, S., Kirwan, G., Whittaker, A., Lopes, L., Neto, S., de Vasconcelos, M.F.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cinereous Warbling-finch Microspingus cinereus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cinereous-warbling-finch-microspingus-cinereus 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.