Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely 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 rare; its distribution is patchy and localised (Stotz et al. 1996, Marantz et al. 2020, eBird 2022).
The population in Ecuador is suspected to number just above 10,000 mature individuals (per Freile et al. 2019).
Trend justification
A slow population decline is suspected to be occurring, owing to ongoing habitat loss and degradation throughout the range.
Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 2% over three generations (12.5 years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite occasionally being found outside of forests, the species is described as highly sensitive to disturbance and habitat degradation (Marantz et al. 2020) and consequently, population declines may exceed the rate of tree cover loss. Tentatively, they are here placed in the band 1-19% over three generations, but an accurate quantification of the trend is urgently required.
This species is local and patchily distributed in the West, Central and East Andes of Colombia and along the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador south to southern Peru.
Although very poorly known, this species occurs in a variety of humid montane forests, including evergreen, cloud and elfin forest (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Marantz et al. 2020). It is sometimes found outside of forests, along forest edge and in banana plantations (Marantz et al. 2020). Its ecology and behaviour are not well known.
The major threat to the species is the loss, fragmentation and degradation of forests within the range, as the species appears to be highly sensitive to habitat disturbance (Marantz et al. 2020). Forests are converted mainly for agriculture and livestock pasture, mining and selective logging (Salaman 1994, Dinerstein et al. 1995, Stattersfield et al. 1998).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed as Near Threatened at the national level in Peru and Ecuador (SERFOR 2018, Freile et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys within the range to determine its true distribution. Accurately quantify the population size and trend. Research the species' ecology and behaviour. Investigate the impact of threats, including the species' ability to persist in open and degraded habitat. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Protect remaining forests within the altitudinal range.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Gilroy, J., Schulenberg, T. & Sharpe, C.J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Greater Scythebill Drymotoxeres pucheranii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-scythebill-drymotoxeres-pucheranii 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.