Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a small range. Despite its tolerance of habitat conversion, it is increasingly threatened by land-use change for urban developments, which is causing slow population declines. The species is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The species is common and regularly observed throughout its range (del Hoyo et al. 2020, eBird 2020). The population size is estimated to number fewer than 50,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2019); therefore, it is placed here in the band 20,000-49,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Local declines have been recorded (del Hoyo et al. 2020). Partners in Flight (2019) report that the decline has been moderate, i.e. likely between 15% and 50% between 1970 and 2017 (see Panjabi et al. 2019). This roughly equates to a decline of 3-14% over ten years for this species.
Melozone cabanisi is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica, where it occurs in a small area in the Central Valley, the Turrialba Valley and the Monteverde Mountains.
The species occupies a variety of habitats, from secondary forests and patchy woodland to shaded coffee plantations and thickets at altitudes between 500 and 2,100 m (Sandoval et al. 2014, del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Even though the species occupies a variety of habitats, it seems more and more threatened by land-use change, especially by the conversion of shaded coffee plantations and thickets into urban and suburban habitats (Sandoval et al. 2014, del Hoyo et al. 2020). This habitat conversion furthermore benefits the Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus), which is a common brood parasite of Costa Rican Ground-sparrow (del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor the population trend. Protect remaining habitat. Control Bronzed Cowbirds.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Derhé, M., Diaz, D., Ekstrom, J. & Wheatley, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Costa Rican Ground-sparrow Melozone cabanisi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/costa-rican-ground-sparrow-melozone-cabanisi 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.