LC
Puna Thistletail Asthenes helleri



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
SACC. 2005 and updates. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2022 Least Concern
2016 Vulnerable A3c
2012 Vulnerable A3c
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2004 Least Concern
2000 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency medium
Land-mass type Average mass 15 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 70,400 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 24,000 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend stable - suspected -
Generation length 2.75 years - - -

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as common (Lloyd 2020).

Trend justification: Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of large parts of its range, the species's habitat is currently not considered under imminent risk. Tree cover loss within the range is negligible (<1% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein); moreover, the species appears able to tolerate considerable habitat disturbance (Lloyd 2020). Therefore, in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, the population is suspected to be stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Bolivia extant native yes
Peru extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Bolivia Yungas Superiores de Apolobamba
Bolivia Yungas Superiores de Madidi
Peru Abra Málaga-Vilcanota
Peru Santuario Histórico Machu Picchu
Peru Valcón

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane suitable resident
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude suitable resident
Altitude 2700 - 3700 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Puna Thistletail Asthenes helleri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/puna-thistletail-asthenes-helleri 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.