Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is known to breed in wet grasslands in Argentina and Paraguay. Its ecology is not well known, but it may migrate to non-breeding sites in Brazil and Bolivia. The population is suspected to be small and declining in line with habitat loss. The species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The total population has not been quantified. Even at known sites numbers are low and the species appears to be scarce (R. Clay in litt. 2024). The population is suspected to number less than 10,000 mature individuals, perhaps not substantially more than 1,000 (Galluppi-Selich et al. 2018). Preliminarily, the population is here placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, though an accurate quantification is urgently required.
Trend justification
The global population trend has not been directly quantified. The species is locally abundant in Iberá National Park and this population may be increasing: an analysis of eBird data show an increase in reporting rate probability in the period 2014-2019 (Turbek et al. 2021). However, this species remains poorly understood overall and its breeding and non-breeding grounds, migratory routes and the threats throughout the full annual cycle have not been conclusively identified. Precautionarily, declines are suspected on the basis of habitat loss and degradation within the range through conversion of grasslands to agricultural areas, afforestation, overgrazing, burning/wildfires, replacement of native pastures by exotic grasses and water abstraction from wetlands, as well as potentially capture for trade (A. Di Giacomo in litt. 2016, Galluppi-Selich et al. 2018, Browne et al. 2021, Di Bitetti et al. 2022, R. Clay in litt. 2024, A.P. Nunes in litt. 2024).
This species breeds in the Iberá Marshes and adjacent areas of northern Argentina as well as in southern Paraguay. There are further records from Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and from Beni, Bolivia (eBird 2023, Marini et al. 2023), though the seasonal occurrence is uncertain. The species is thought to be migratory like other closely related species, but the non-breeding grounds have not been conclusively identified. It is hypothesised that the records from Brazil relate to non-breeding individuals, though it cannot be ruled out that the breeding range in fact extends into Brazil (Galluppi-Selich et al. 2018, T. Galluppi-Selich in litt. 2020).
The species inhabits humid and wet grassland and marshes, where tall grasses border wetland areas (A. Di Giacomo in litt. 2016, Galluppi-Selich et al. 2018, Browne et al. 2021). In the Iberá wetlands in Argentina, nests were observed between November and January; nests were open cups placed in dense grasses, with two eggs per clutch (Turbek et al. 2019). Many aspects of its biology, ecology and migratory behaviour remain unknown.
This species is threatened by habitat loss and degradation through conversion of grasslands to agricultural areas, afforestation, overgrazing, burning/wildfires, replacement of native pastures by exotic grasses and water abstraction from wetlands (Galluppi-Selich et al. 2018, Browne et al. 2021, Di Bitetti et al. 2022, R. Clay in litt. 2024, A.P. Nunes in litt. 2024). Nest predation is an additional threat, being the main cause of nest failure in the Iberá Wetlands where only 22% of nests successfully fledge nestlings (Browne et al. 2021). A recent study on banded birds from this population found that female return rates to the breeding site in consecutive years were very low (c.10%) for reasons that are unclear but may be related to threats faced outside the breeding period (Browne et al. 2021). The species may also be affected by capture for trade (A. Di Giacomo in litt. 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in Llanos y Esteros del Iberá Protected Area (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023), but no targeted actions are known for this species. It is listed as Data Deficient at the national level in Brazil (Marini et al. 2023).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to locate additional populations and to delimit the distribution range. Quantify the population size and trend. Investigate whether breeding occurs in Brazil and Bolivia. Locate the non-breeding distribution. Research the species' biology, ecology and migratory behaviour. Carry out genetic studies to investigate population structure. Assess threats to the species and quantify their impact on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range, in particular at breeding sites. Raise awareness for the species.
Text account compilers
Vine, J., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Di Giacomo, A., Galluppi-Selich, T., Westrip, J.R.S., Clay, R.P. & Nunes, A.P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ibera Seedeater Sporophila iberaensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ibera-seedeater-sporophila-iberaensis 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.