Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species, which has a small to moderately small population size, is classified as Near Threatened as there is evidence that hunting and the loss and degradation of its habitats are likely to be driving an ongoing but unquantified decline.
Population justification
Locally evidently fairly common (eBird 2024). Boyla and Estrada (2005) estimated a global population of 10,000-15,000 birds, while Cisneros-Heredia (2006) thought it likely the population numbered fewer than 10,000. Compiling 'highest count' records from 2008-2017 from a network of sites, Lesterhuis et al. (in prep.) estimated a much lower global population size of 4,850 individuals, but cautioned that this was based on 'limited data'. To account for all estimates made, the global population size is estimated here at 2,500-15,000 mature individuals. The population size of the largest subpopulation is effectively unknown, but if the the global population size suggested by Lesterhuis et al. (in prep.) is correct, it is plausible, if highly precautionary, that no subpopulation numbers more than 1,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The main threats identified for this species are overhunting and habitat loss (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Cisneros-Heredia 2006) although there are very little data on which to quantify the impact of these. In Ecuador, which comprises a significant part of the species' range, Freile et al. (2019) considered these threats to be acute enough to drive population declines.
Gallinago nobilis occurs in the northern Andes of South America, from north-western Venezuela through central Colombia and into Ecuador and north-westernmost Peru.
The species inhabits montane grassy wetlands, swamps and bogs, wet savanna and pasture and reed-marshes adjacent to eutrophic lakes (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It is usually found at 2,500-3,900 m, but may range from 2,000 to 4,000 m. It breeds from March to September, probably laying a clutch of only two eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1996).
The species is targeted by both indigenous people and sports-hunters and is threatened by localised over-hunting, as well as the desiccation, transformation and degradation of its habitats (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Cisneros-Heredia 2006, D. Cisneros-Heredia in litt. 2011). Suitable habitat is converted for agriculture and degraded by fires (Cisneros-Heredia 2006, D. Cisneros-Heredia in litt. 2011).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in a number of protected areas; for example, in Ecuador, stable populations are present in Limpiopungu Lagoon in Cotopaxi National Park and a private reserve in the Yanacocha area (Cisneros-Heredia 2006), and it is found in Chingaza National Park in Colombia. It is listed as Near Threatened in Ecuador on their national Red List (Freile et al. 2019).
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Taylor, J., Butchart, S., Sharpe, C.J., Berryman, A.
Contributors
Cisneros-Heredia, D.F.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Noble Snipe Gallinago nobilis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/noble-snipe-gallinago-nobilis on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.