Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is experiencing a moderately rapid population reduction as its habitat is degraded, in particular owing to the development of pine plantations. For this reason the species is classified as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The species is described as uncommon to fairly common (Stotz et al. 1996, Remsen Jr. and Kirwan 2020). It is suspected that subspecies pabsti numbers around 15,000 mature individuals (G. A. Bencke in litt. 2021, in Silveira et al. 2023). Based on intensive field surveys, the population of subspecies espinhacensis was estimated at 880-2880 mature individuals (Freitas et al. 2019). The total population is therefore placed in the band 15,880-17,880 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Despite its tolerance of a certain level of human disturbance and habitat degradation, population declines are suspected on the basis of the large-scale conversion of grasslands to plantations (C. S. Fontana in litt. 2006, Remsen Jr. and Kirwan 2020, Silveira et al. 2023). Based on remote sensing data, it is estimated that the more numerous subspecies pabsti has lost 20% of suitable habitat to plantation between 2010 and 2020 (Silveira et al. 2023 and references therein), which equates to 22% over three generations (11.1 years). Climate change may further reduce available habitat, as campo rupestre savannas are particularly vulnerable to alterations in precipitation regimes (Freitas et al. 2019 and references therein). It is assumed that population declines are roughly equivalent to the rate of habitat loss (Silveira et al. 2023). Consequently, they are here placed in the band 20-29% over three generations and are suspected to continue into the future based on ongoing threats.
Cinclodes pabsti is confined to south-east Brazil, where it occurs in south-east Santa Catarina state, north-east Rio Grande do Sul state and (disjunctly, 1,000 km to the north) the Serra do Cipó in central Minas Gerais (Freitas et al. 2008).
It inhabits temperate grassland, pastures and agricultural land in higher areas; open campo rupestre habitat with rocky outcrops, usually near water. There are also records from urban areas and along roadsides (J. F. Amorim in litt. 2006). It can persist for over two years after an area is planted with Pinus, but it is displaced by the time the trees have reached 7 m (I. Accordi in litt. 2006).
This species is threatened by habitat conversion into plantations of Pinus, eucalyptus and soja across much of its range (Silveira et al. 2023). Further threats include livestock grazing and conversion to agricultural land, burning, mining, as well as the development of tourism infrastructure (ICMBio 2018). The species' habitat is highly vulnerable to climate change; it is estimated that about 50% of campos rupestres may be lost by 2080 (Freitas et al. 2019 and references therein).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within Serra do Cipó, Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral and São Joaquim National Parks (ICMBio 2018, Silveira et al. 2023).The nominate subspecies pabsti is assessed as Near Threatened at the national level (Silveira et al. 2023); subspecies espinhacensis is assessed as Endangered due to its very small range where habitat degradation is ongoing (ICMBio 2018).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Research the species' resilience to habitat modification. Monitor the population trend. Protect remaining grassland within the range. Introduce legislation to ensure sustainability of Pinus plantations.
21-22 cm. Large cinclodes with fairly long, straight bill and relatively long tail. Prominent white supercilium. Dark on the lores to the rear of the auriculars. Greyish brown above with slightly darker crown. Two indistinct buff wing-bars and a cinnamon-buff wing panel. The tail is brown with paler outer retrices. Sexes alike. Similar spp. The only cinclodes occurring within its small range. Voice: Song, a prolonged trill increasing in volume towards the end, given from a perch or in flight; call a descending "tseeoo".
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Accordi, I., Amorim, J.F., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Fontana, C.S., Gilroy, J., Olmos, F. & Sharpe, C.J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/long-tailed-cinclodes-cinclodes-pabsti 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.