Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because has a very restricted range, in which it is known from only a few sites. Even though habitat within the range is degraded and lost locally, there are no immediate threats that could result in the species being considered Critically Endangered or Extinct in a short space of time. Future surveys may however find the species to be more widespread.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified and further study is required.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of any serious and immediate threats.
Synallaxis beverlyae was discovered in 1998 on a small island in the Río Orinoco in south-western Venezuela (Hilty and Ascanio 2009). The species has since been found on other islands and banks of the main channel of the Río Orinoco in Venezuela (Hilty and Ascanio 2009) and Colombia (Donegan et al. 2010). The type locality is c.22 km south of Puerto Ayacucho, with the species subsequently being found on further islands in the delta of the Río Orinoco (Hilty and Ascanio 2009) and reported from the Colombian side of the river (Donegan et al. 2010). The species is suspected to occur on other islands between the currently known locations.
The species is so far only known to inhabit successional vegetation on permanent and semi-permanent river islands and adjacent river edges, which are seasonally inundated (Hilty and Ascanio 2009; Fjeldså and Sharpe 2020). The vegetation at known sites typically consists of some taller and stunted trees with dense woody and herbaceous shrubs and vines, and in some cases tall grass. It forages at ground level up to c.3 m (Hilty and Ascanio 2009).
There are currently no known major threats to the species, although its habitat is likely to be affected by subsistence-level cultivation on river islands during low-water seasons, as well as the localised clearance of vegetation to accommodate increasing tourism to sandy islands (Hilty and Ascanio 2009). Dams, such as that on the Caño Mánamo, change water flow; however, research is required to document the effects of such changes on river islands and their ecology (Hilty and Ascanio 2009).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known for this species. It does not occur within protected areas (Fjeldså and Sharpe 2020).
16 cm. Typical Synallaxis spinetail with rufous cap and shoulders, but otherwise dull, greyish brown plumage with pale underparts and long, pointed, spine-tipped tail feathers (Hilty and Ascanio 2009). Sexes similar. Similar spp. Compared with S. albescens trinitatis, S. beverlyae has a slightly longer, thinner bill; the forehead, head sides and neck are paler and greyer, and the pale supercilium is more prominent. The rufous colour of the crown and shoulders is of a slightly lighter hue and the rufous on the shoulders is generally less extensive. The underparts are whiter and the breast and sides have a greyish tinge. The belly and crissum are paler. Iris colour usually paler. Voice A repeated series of notes (c.6-9, sometimes 3) with the first in each series emphasised, thus producing a syncopation. Also a harsh rattle and single loud note when agitated (Hilty and Ascanio 2009).
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Sharpe, C.J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Orinoco Spinetail Synallaxis beverlyae. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/orinoco-spinetail-synallaxis-beverlyae 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.