Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
A combination of extensive forest loss and pressure from hunting and trapping cause the species to decline. The population is now small and scattered. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The species is described as rare and local (Snow et al. 2020). In Ecuador, population densities of 4-8 individuals/km2 were observed in suitable habitat (O. Jahn in litt. 2007). Assuming that this density is representative for the entire range, and further assuming that only 10% of forests in the range are occupied to account for its rarity (i.e., 2,800 km2; Global Forest Watch 2022), the population is estimated to number 11,200-22,400 individuals. This roughly equates to 7,500-15,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population is declining as a result of habitat loss, hunting and trapping. In particular, hunting has caused local extinctions or declines mainly in close proximity to settlements (Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein). In recent decades its distribution in lowland Ecuador has contracted greatly, but a few leks survived at altitudes as low as 80 m at least until the early 2000s (O. Jahn in litt. 2007).
The rate of decline is difficult to quantify. Over three generations (19.6 years) up to 6% of tree cover has been lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Even though the species is moderately tolerant of open and converted habitat it strongly relies on dense, mature forest for feeding and lekking sites (Snow et al. 2020); therefore, forest degradation, disturbance and fragmentation may exacerbate population declines. The impact of hunting and trapping has not been quantified, but is apparently locally severe (Renjifo et al. 2014, Snow et al. 2020). Taking the rate of tree cover loss as a basis, and accounting for the additional impacts of habitat degradation, hunting and trapping, population declines are here tentatively placed in the band 20-29% over three generations.
Cephalopterus penduliger occurs on the Pacific slope and adjacent lowlands of south-west Colombia (Chocó to Nariño) and west Ecuador (Esmeraldas to El Oro).
It occurs in humid and wet forests from 80 to 1,900 m (Snow et al. 2020). During the breeding season, males form leks of up to 15 individuals and display from low branches (Renjifo et al. 2014, Snow et al. 2020). Although it appears somewhat tolerant of degraded, open habitats and human activity when selecting nest sites, it strongly depends on mature forest for feeding and lekking (Jahn et al. 1999, Jahn 2001, Karubian et al. 2003). Nests have been observed in June and January; the species lays one egg (Karubian et al. 2003, Greeney et al. 2006, Snow et al. 2020). It feeds on palm-nuts, insects, amphibians and reptiles such as lizards Anolis spp (Hornbuckle et al. 1997, K. S. Berg in litt. 1999, Jahn et al. 1999, Karubian et al. 2003, Greeney et al. 2006).
Threats to this species include the loss and degradation of habitat, as well as hunting and trapping.
In western Ecuador, the vast majority of original lowland and premontane forests had been lost already by the 1980s (Dodson and Gentry 1991). At higher altitudes, deforestation has been slower and more original habitat remains (Dodson and Gentry 1991, P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999). The causes of forest loss and degradation include intense agricultural developments, especially oil palm and banana plantations and livestock farming, the rapid expansion of the road network, and gold mining (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Salaman 1994, Jahn et al. 1999, Renjifo et al. 2014).
Hunting pressure is locally high due infrastructural development and advancing colonization frontiers (Cárdenas 2007). Displaying males are easy to locate and approach at the traditional lek sites, making them an easy bag for hunters (Jahn et al. 1999). The species also suffers from trade; in Esmeraldas (Ecuador) they are highly prized as domestic birds, and local people capture them as pets, for sale to third parties and for food (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Jahn et al. 1999, Sharpe 1999). Particularly in close proximity to settlements, declines and local extinctions have been reported (Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range, including Farallones de Cali National Park in Colombia and Cotacachi-Cayapas, Mache-Chindul and Buenaventura reserves in Ecuador. It is listed as Endangered at the national level in Colombia and Ecuador (Renjifo et al. 2014, Freile et al. 2019).
51 cm. Large, ornate, black cotinga. Male all black with overhanging crest and long wattle hanging from central chest. Female and immature similar, but wattle much reduced or absent. Voice Generally silent, but displaying males grunt.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Berg, K., Coopmans, P., Gomez, N., Isherwood, I., Jahn, O., Pople, R., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/long-wattled-umbrellabird-cephalopterus-penduliger 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.