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 has not been quantified, but this species is described as patchily distributed and as uncommon to locally fairly common (Stotz et al. 1996, Schulenberg 2020).
Trend justification
There are no data on the population trend, but the species is at risk from the loss and degradation of forests in parts of its range.
Tree cover loss within the range is low (4% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite the species' dependence of forests, population declines are likely equally low and localised; they are here tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
Herpsilochmus motacilloides is endemic to the eastern Andes of Peru. It ranges from Huánuco southwards to Cuzco.
This is a canopy and subcanopy species of humid montane forest and forest borders (Schulenberg 2020). It prefers dense, tall evergreen forest, with heavy moss and epiphytic growth on the trees (del Hoyo et al. 2003, Schulenberg 2020).
The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in its range as forests are logged for conversion into pastures and agriculture cultivation. Currently, logging activities are mainly concentrated at lower elevations outside of the distribution range while vast tracts of pristine forests remain, but continued encroachment into the range puts the species and its habitat at increasing risk.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to quantify the population size. Research the species' ecology and behaviour. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Incentivise conservation on private lands through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture.
11-12 cm. Medium-sized, grey antwren. Pale grey above, with black wings barred white, and a black tail. White face with black crown and supercilia. White underparts. Female has buffish forehead and white streaks on crown.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Lees, A. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Creamy-bellied Antwren Herpsilochmus motacilloides. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/creamy-bellied-antwren-herpsilochmus-motacilloides 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.