• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Vulnerable because its population is small and declining owing to habitat loss.

Population justification
The species is described as rare and local. Assuming that densities observed in Colombia (1 individual/km²; Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein) are representative for the entire range, and further assuming that 50% of forests in the range are occupied to account for the species' strict requirements for undisturbed forest interior (i.e., 5,500-7,500 km²; Global Forest Watch 2023), the total population may number 5,500-7,500 individuals. This equates to 3,600-5,000 mature individuals. However, given that the species is described as easily overlooked (Bierregaard et al. 2020), the population size may be larger and an accurate quantification is urgently required.

Trend justification
Population declines are believed to be ongoing because of accelerating habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, and may be further aggravated by the impacts of agrochemicals and pesticides (Renjifo et al. 2014, Bierregaard et al. 2020). Observational records appear to have become rarer over the past ten years, particularly in the southern part of the range in Ecuador (per eBird 2023).
Over three generations (18.2 years), up to 7% of tree cover are lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). This value however does not account for the impacts of habitat degradation nor of pesticide use. Total population declines are therefore here tentatively placed in the band 10-19% over three generations. This is confirmed by an analysis of overall habitat loss in the Colombian part of the range, which predict a rate of decline of 13% over the three generations from 2015 onward (Negret et al. 2021).

Micrastur plumbeus is restricted to the Pacific slope and lowlands in south-west Colombia (Nariño, Cauca, and possibly Valle de Cauca and Chocó) and north-west Ecuador (Manabí, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Pinchincha). Records are localised within the range and the species is described as rare, though it may be overlooked (Hilty and Brown 1986, eBird 2023).

It inhabits humid and wet, lowland, foothill and premontane forest to 1,780 m, and is dependent on undisturbed closed-canopy habitat (K. S. Berg in litt. 1999, P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000). It preys largely on small, ground-dwelling animals, notably Anolis lizards (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000). It has a relatively small home range during the breeding season (March-August) (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000). Nests are placed in tree-cavities (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, 2000).

The main threat to this highly forest-dependent species are loss, degradation and fragmentation of lowland and premontane forests within the range. The expansion of the road network in the region has led to logging, small-scale agriculture, illegal coca plantations, oil-palm and banana plantations and gold mining in formerly pristine areas (Salaman 1994, Wege and Long 1995, Renjifo et al. 2014). The species is likely also impacted by the use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture (Renjifo et al. 2014).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It occurs in several protected areas across its range. It is listed as Endangered at the national level in Colombia and Ecuador (Renjifo et al. 2014, Freile et al. 2019).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable areas within the known range and nearby to locate additional populations. Accurately quantify the population size. Research to better understand the species' ecology and habitat requirements, in particular its tolerance of converted and fragmented habitats. Design an action plan for the species and its habitat. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range.

30-36 cm. Secretive and shy forest-falcon with single white tail-band. Adult has slaty grey upperparts and white underparts, finely barred blackish on breast. Blackish tail with broad, white central tail-band and narrow tail tip. Bright orange-red cere and legs. Pale brown iris. Immature similar with paler barring on underparts and dark brown iris. Similar spp. Barred Forest-falcon M. ruficollis has 2-3 tail-bands, yellowish cere and legs, and is proportionally longer tailed and shorter winged. Voice Song a single, lamenting bark repeated frequently, usually at dawn. Cackling alarm call (Jahn et al. 2002, Krabbe and Nilsson 2003).

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Berg, K., Coopmans, P., Gomez, N., Isherwood, I., Jahn, O., Krabbe, N., Mena-Valenzuela, P., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J., Strewe, R., Stuart, T. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Plumbeous Forest-falcon Micrastur plumbeus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/plumbeous-forest-falcon-micrastur-plumbeus 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.