Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened as it is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate owing to habitat loss and trapping for the wild bird trade.
Population justification
The global population size or density have not been quantified, but this species is described as rare or uncommon and patchily distributed (Stotz et al. 1996, Diniz and Santos 2020).
Trend justification
Although precise data on the population trend are lacking, declines are feared to be occurring owing to habitat loss and trapping for the wild bird trade. The species has become locally extinct in parts of its range in Brazil (Diniz and Santos 2020).
Rates of decline are difficult to quantify due to the species' occurrence in a variety of forest and semi-open savanna, as well as in 'cerrado' and grassland habitat or even disturbed sites. Tree cover within the range has been lost at a rate of up to 16% over the past ten years (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The impact of trapping has not been quantified, but a study in Piauí in northeastern Brazil reported this species to be a major target for trappers (Souto et al. 2017). Under the tentative assumption that the rate of tree cover loss (16% over ten years) may be a proxy for the overall rate of habitat loss, and that trapping contributes an additional 5-10% decline, the overall rate of population decline is here suspected at 21-26% over ten years.
Charitospiza eucosma occurs in north-east and east-central Brazil, from Maranhão and Rio Grande do Norte in the north south to Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. It is also found in Beni in north-east Bolivia, and may occur in Argentina though there are no recent records. Its occurrence is described as local and erratic (Ridgely and Tudor 1989).
This species inhabits 'cerrado', wooded savanna, transition zones between savanna and grassland, as well as 'caatinga' habitats in lowlands below 1,200 m (Diniz and Santos 2020). It may also be found in disturbed fragments of suitable habitat in rural areas and in recently burned savanna (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Bates et al. 1992, Diniz and Santos 2020). It has been hypothesised that the species may engage in local migrations or semi-nomadism in response to fire succession or to seasonal changes in rainfall patterns, though this has not been conclusively proven (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Parker and Willis 1997, Diniz and Santos 2020).
Conversion to agriculture for Eucalyptus plantations, soybeans and pastures for exportable crops (encouraged by government land reform) is having a severe impact on its 'cerrado' habitats in Brazil (Parker and Willis 1997, Diniz and Santos 2020). 'Caatinga' habitats are less threatened, but still suffer from agricultural expansion and grazing (per Diniz and Santos 2020).
At least in Brazil, the species is trapped for the local and national wild bird trade. The impact of trapping has not been quantified, but a study in Piauí in northeastern Brazil reported this species to be a major target for trappers (Souto et al. 2017).
Conservation Actions Underway
Parts of its distribution range lies within protected areas, including Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station, Brazil (Diniz and Santos 2020).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys of sites throughout the known range to determine distribution, abundance and population trends. Investigate the species' ecology and behaviour, particularly its movement patterns. Investigate threats to the species and quantify the impact of habitat loss and disturbance and of trapping on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Monitor the intensity of trapping.
Protect areas of 'cerrado' habitats within the range. Regulate trade. Raise awareness for the species with the aim of reducing trapping pressure.
11.5 cm. A delicate but boldly patterned finch. Long spiny crest usually laid back and crown black, contrasting with white cheeks and ear-coverts. Face, throat and mid breast, continued over centre of belly black, contrasting with flanks and belly orangey buff. Silvery grey back; black wings and tail with pale wing coverts. White in base of outer rectrices visible in flight. Female paler with brown tinge above and brown shorter crest. Greyish face, eyebrow and underparts dull cinnamon buff. Similar spp. Male unmistakable, and females pattern plus white in tail does not resemble other finches. Voice Song is a modest 3-syllabled phrase. Inconspicuous thin tzip-tzip call. Hints In pairs or small groups somewhat inconspicuous in the vegetation cover or even on the ground.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Gilroy, J., Milensky, C., O'Brien, A. & Sharpe, C.J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Coalcrest Charitospiza eucosma. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/coalcrest-charitospiza-eucosma on 26/11/2024.
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 26/11/2024.