Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small population, restricted to a cluster of montane areas. There are currently no major threats to its habitat, so the population is suspected to be stable, but dry season fires may pose a risk in the near future.
Population justification
The species appears to be very localised within its narrow elevational range, occurring at very low densities (Alves et al. 2008, ICMBio 2018). A recent census estimated less than 1,000 individuals (ICMBio 2018). Therefore, the population is here placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable, as there is no evidence of declines and no obvious threats to the species and its habitat. Elfin forests within the range remain largely intact and are not at risk (Snow and Sharpe 2021); tree cover loss is negligible (<1% over three generations; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein).
Lipaugus conditus is restricted to the serras in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the municipalities of Tinguá, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo, Petrópolis and Guapimirim (ICMBio 2018). The area is difficult to survey owing to the inaccessibility of suitable habitat, but only small numbers of birds have ever been recorded and it appears to occur at very low densities (Alves et al. 2008).
The species occurs in patches of extremely humid, elfin cloud-forest, rich in bromeliads and with a rather even canopy 5-10 m high, both on exposed ridges and sheltered slopes above the main treeline. It is usually found at c.1,050-2,100 m, being most common above 1,800 m (Huang et al. 2021, Fundação Grupo Boticário undated). A female caught in mid-November had a well developed brood-patch, suggesting breeding at that time. Little is known about its diet, but one bird has been seen eating small red berries.
There are no obvious immediate threats to the species or its habitat. Forests within the range remain largely intact, with tree cover loss being negligible at present (Global Forest Watch 2021). Nevertheless, logging may become a potential concern, with eucalyptus plantations encroaching on habitat below the species' elevation range (A. Foster in litt. 2014). Furthermore, both disturbance and fires caused by hikers have been considered potential threats: In September 1993, a major forest fire was noted in or adjacent to Serra dos Órgãos National Park, indicating that this threat could be particularly significant. Similarly, a major forest fire burned at least 25% of suitable habitat at Pico da Caledônia in 2011 (J. King in litt. 2012). Projected climate change could cause shifts in the distribution and extent of its habitat and thus its elevation range, with some anecdotal observations suggesting that the species might be moving upslope at Pico da Caledônia (A. Foster in litt. 2013, S. Pimm in litt. 2013).
Conservation Actions Underway
Part of the population occurs within protected areas, including Serra dos Órgãos National Park and Tinguá Biological Reserve. It is included in an action plan for birds in the Atlantic Forest (ICMBio 2018).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to locate additional populations. Monitor the population trend. Protect suitable habitat. Prevent encroachment of plantations into the distribution range.
24 cm. Greenish cotinga. Olive-green upperparts with yellower rump. Dull grey forehead, lores, below eye, chin and upper throat, with grizzled effect in chin and throat. Bright olive-yellow breast, becoming yellower on belly. Olive-brown wings with silver-grey outer webs forming wing panel. Yellowish-olive wing-coverts. Dark olive-brown tail with grey outer webs. Slim grey bill. Females duller with less grey on head. Similar spp. Female Black-and-gold Cotinga L. ater is larger and stockier, more uniformly olive and occurs at lower altitudes. Voice Song is explosive, dysillabic zuuee wheé of c.1.25 seconds. Less plaintive and shorter than L. ater.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Alves, M.A.S., Clay, R.P., Foster, A., Jenkins, C., King, J., Pimm, S.L., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Williams, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Grey-winged Cotinga Lipaugus conditus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-winged-cotinga-lipaugus-conditus 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.