Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Near Threatened because declines in its population are believed to approach the threshold for classification as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The species is thought to be undergoing a decline owing to hunting and the loss and degradation of its habitat. Tree cover loss within the range has not exceeded 10% over the last three generations (15 years; Tracewski et al. 2016, Global Forest Watch 2020). Nevertheless, despite its tolerance of low levels of habitat conversion, the species also suffers from the degradation of the understory through cattle grazing, and it is susceptible to hunting (Gomes and Kirwan 2020). Therefore, the overall rate of decline is tentatively placed in the band 10-29% over three generations.
Crypturellus transfasciatus occurs in arid regions of west Ecuador and north-west Peru (on the Pacific slope to Lambayeque) at elevations up to 1,500 m (Best and Clarke 1991, Best and Kessler 1995, Parker et al. 1996, Clements and Shany 2001). It is relatively common in suitable habitat (Parker and Carr 1992, Parker et al. 1995, Jiggins et al. 1999), with the population in the Tumbes Reserved Zone (now part of the Northwest Peru Biosphere Reserve) estimated to be in the thousands (Parker et al. 1995).
Although a specialist of tropical dry forest, it appears tolerant of a certain level of habitat degradation (Parker et al. 1982, Best 1992). Generally, it keeps to denser undergrowth where it forages in the leaf-litter (Jiggins et al. 1999, Clements and Shany 2001).
The principal threats are widespread deforestation throughout its range, understorey degradation by grazing goats and cattle, and hunting for food (Jiggins et al. 1999).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Assess the population size. Survey tropical dry forest and quantify the area of available habitat. Assess the extent to which the species can tolerate habitat degradation. Effectively protect known sites. Develop awareness-raising campaigns aimed at reducing hunting.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Isherwood, I., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Pale-browed Tinamou Crypturellus transfasciatus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/pale-browed-tinamou-crypturellus-transfasciatus 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.