Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely small population with fewer than 50 mature individuals in each subpopulation, and declining owing to habitat loss, largely through conversion to sugar cane plantations and pasture. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Critically Endangered.
Population justification
The species was formerly considered fairly common at Murici (Zimmer and Isler 2003), but only one pair was recorded during at least ten visits from 2006-2009, and other ornithologists have also reported a decline at this site (Pereira et al. 2014). The species has been reported to be more numerous at Usina Serra Grande/Engenho Coimbra (A. Whittaker in litt. 1999, S. Roda in litt. 2007) and Mata do Estado (Roda et al. 2003, S. Roda in litt. 2007) and is still believed to be fairly common at Frei Caneca/Pedra Dantas (Pereira et al. 2014).
Although no censuses have taken place, numerous surveys by ornithologists within the species's range have encountered few individuals, leading to the conclusion that the population size is less than 250 mature individuals, with no more than 50 mature individuals in any subpopulation (Pereira et al. 2014, de Melo Dantas and Albano 2018). The population size is therefore placed in the band 50-249 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species was formerly considered fairly common at Murici (Zimmer and Isler 2003), but only one pair was recorded during at least ten visits from 2006-2009, and other ornithologists have also reported a decline at this site (Pereira et al. 2014). Remote-sensed data indicates that approximately 3% of tree cover with at least 50% canopy cover was lost within the species's range over ten years from 2009 to 2019 (Global Forest Watch 2020). From this information, the species's population size is inferred to be declining, at a suspected rate of 1-5% over ten years.
Terenura sicki is restricted to Alagoas and Pernambuco, north-east Brazil (de Melo Dantas & Albano 2018). It has been recorded at a small number of localities including Engenho Água Azul (Timbaúba), Mata do Estado (São Vicente Férrer), Frei Caneca/Pedra D'Antas (Jaqueira and Lagoa dos Gatos), Matas do Mucuri-Hymalaia Municipal Natural Park (Bonito), Engenho Brejão (Bonito) and Usina Trapiche (Sirinhaém) in Pernambuco; and Murici, Pedra Talhada (Quebrangulo), and Usina Serra Grande/Engenho Coimbra (São José da Laje) in Alagoas (Roda et al. 2003, Albano 2009, Pereira et al. 2014). It was also recorded from Novo Lino (Alagoas) in 1986, but there have been no recent records from this municipality.
It mainly inhabits the upper strata of upland humid forest at 400-700 m, although there is a record from lowland forest at 76 m (Albano 2009). Despite occurring in forests that have suffered severe selective logging, it is rarely recorded in degraded secondary growth (Roda et al. 2011). It is usually seen following mixed-species flocks, even during the breeding season, but isolated pairs have been observed. The diet includes small arthropods such as beetles and cockroaches. Breeding occurs from October-March. A nest has been found in the dense foliage of a middle-stratum tree, c.10-12 m above the ground.
There has been massive clearance of Atlantic forest in Alagoas and Pernambuco, largely as a result of logging and conversion to sugarcane plantations and pasture. Forest at Murici has been reduced from 70 km2 in the 1970s, to a mere 30 km2 of highly disturbed and fragmented habitat in 1999 (J. M. Goerck in litt. 1999). The site continues to be threatened by fires spreading from adjacent plantations, hunting, timber extraction and agriculture (J. M. Goerck in litt. 1999, A. Whittaker in litt. 1999, J. M. Goerck in litt. 2000). However, hunting and other illegal activities within the Ecological Station have been largely brought under control during recent years by ICMBio staff, with the last known instance of timber extraction in 2017 (B. Phalan in litt. 2020). The Frei Caneca private reserve and BirdLife/SAVE Brasil area are no longer suffering from illegal charcoal exploitation, however there is still some illegal expansion of banana plantation replacing the native vegetation (B. Phalan in litt. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
It is now legally recognised as Critically Endangered in Brazil (MMA 2014, de Melo Dantas and Albano) and protected under Brazilian law. It occurs in a number of protected areas including Matas do Mucuri-Himalaia Municipal Natural Park, Frei Caneca Private Natural Heritage Reserve, Murici Ecological Station, Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve and Pedra D'Antas Private Natural Heritage Reserve. It is included in the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Birds of the Atlantic Forest, which includes the following actions: creation of more private protected areas and connection of remaining forest fragments within the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism, enforcement of legislation to prevent deforestation, promoting the of the consideration of priority areas in agricultural development plans, and environmental education and awareness campaigns (ICMBio 2017). It is also included in the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Birds of the Caatinga (ICMBio 2015).
At Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve, significant areas have been reforested with native trees (A. Studer per A. Whittaker in litt. 1999). Protection at this reserve has been enforced by guards and apparently welcomed by local communities (A. Studer per A. Whittaker in litt. 1999). Fazenda Pedra D'Antas was recognized as a Private Reserve of Natural Heritage in 2011 (SAVE Brasil 2019). Forest restoration and eduction have been carried out at Pedra D'Antas and the adjacent Frei Caneca Private Reserve (SAVE Brasil 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out structured surveys to estimate the species's population density and gain an improved population estimate. Monitor known populations. Survey remnant patches of habitat in Alagoas and Pernambuco to ascertain the species's distribution. Research the species's natural history.
Protect remaining forest within the species's range, including by enforcing existing legislation and by designating further protected areas, especially in the areas surrounding existing protected areas (Roda et al. 2011). Restore forest within the species's range and create corridors between remaining forest fragments (Roda et al. 2011). Ensure enforcement at protected areas where the species occurs. Conduct environmental awareness programmes with local communities around sites where the species occurs.
10 cm. Small, brightly coloured antwren. Male mostly black above, with white streaking on head, nape and mantle. Whitish face and auriculars, streaked black. Black moustachial stripe. Blackish wings and tail. Faint whitish wing-bars and edgings. White underparts with black stripes on sides of breast. Female has blackish crown, streaked white. Rest of upperparts rufous. Rich orange-rufous underparts, with paler, more buffy throat. Black stripes on sides of breast. Voice Soft, uniform trill lasting 3-4 seconds, and fast, repeated call, tzí-de-de-de tzí-de-de-de.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H.
Contributors
Hennessey, A.B., Mendes, D., Roda, S., Studer, A., Whittaker, A., Symes, A., Pople, R., Capper, D., Ashpole, J, Hermes, C. & Sharpe, C.J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Orange-bellied Antwren Terenura sicki. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/orange-bellied-antwren-terenura-sicki 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.