Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small range and its forested habitat is declining as a result of widespread clearance for agricultural purposes. Tree cover loss has been accelerating rapidly in recent years. For these reasons, the species is listed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as uncommon (Lentino and Sharpe 2015).
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be declining as a consequence of the loss, fragmentation and degradation of its forested habitat (Jaramillo and Sharpe 2020). Over the past three generations (11.1 years), 2% of tree cover within the range has been lost; since 2016 this has been accelerating to a rate equivalent to 7% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species has a preference for forest interior (Sharpe and Lentino 2015, Jaramillo and Sharpe 2020) and therefore, population declines may exceed the rate of tree cover loss. Tentatively, the rate of population decline is therefore placed in the band 1-9% over the past three generations, accelerating to 10-19% since 2016.
Arremon phygas is endemic to the mountains of north-eastern Venezuela. It occurs disjunctly on the Paria Peninsula, Sucre, and in the Turimiquire Massif (both the Serranía de Turimiquire west of the San Antonio valley, and the Cordillera de Caripe to the east) on the borders of Sucre, Anzoategui and Monagas.
This species inhabits the undergrowth of humid montane forest (Jaramillo and Sharpe 2020). It is also observed near forest borders, but appears to prefer forest interior (Sharpe and Lentino 2015).
There has been widespread clearance for agriculture in the Turimiquire Massif and the Paria Peninsula and both regions are considered highly threatened. Swidden agriculture and commercial coffee cultivation occur within strict protected areas: even in El Guácharo National Park there is clearance, repeated burning and understorey removal for coffee (Boesman and Curson 1995, Sharpe and Lentino 2015). The slopes of Cerro Negro are largely bare with the more obvious forest patches actually shade-coffee plantations (Boesman and Curson 1995). There is conversion to coffee, mango, banana, and citrus plantations in the Turimiquire Massif, but large forested areas remain (Colvee 1999, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2011). On Cerro Humo, increases in cash-crop agriculture since the mid- to late 1980s have resulted in uncontrolled burning and forest degradation.
Conservation Actions Underway
It is formally protected by Paria Peninsula and El Guácharo National Parks. The Turimiquire massif is a Protective Zone, but in practice the legal status is not enforced.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to quantify the population size. Research into the species' ecology and behaviour. Investigate the species' tolerance to forest degradation and disturbance. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Sustainably manage forests in the Turimiquire massif and on Paria Peninsula.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Sharpe, C.J., Temple, H. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Paria Brushfinch Arremon phygas. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/paria-brushfinch-arremon-phygas on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.