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

Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as 'rare' (Stotz et al. 1996, O. Ottema in litt. 2020, A. Lees in litt. 2024). Given its extremely large range, the population is unlikely to be small.

Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but declines in this forest dependent species are suspected on the basis of ongoing deforestation in large parts of the range. Over three generations (13.7 years), 6-8% of tree cover is 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 fragmentation and degradation. Consequently, population declines may be larger than the rate of tree cover loss suggests, though the species is thought to be tolerant of disturbance to some extent (B. O'Shea in litt. 2024). Overall, population declines are here tentatively placed in the band 1-19% over three generations. Nevertheless, the population may locally be stable as vast areas of pristine habitat remain, e.g. in Suriname (O. Ottema in litt. 2020, see also Global Forest Watch 2023).

Celeus torquatus is fairly widespread in north-eastern South America, from eastern Venezuela, through Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, to Tocantins and Maranhão, Brazil.

It inhabits tall humid forest, including rainforest, terra firme forest, várzea forest, gallery forest and tall secondary growth and clearings (del Hoyo et al. 2002). It has been noted to feed on invertebrates and seeds, foraging from the understorey to the subcanopy (del Hoyo et al. 2002).

The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon Basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and agricultural production (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). A further threat is habitat loss to gold mining (O. Ottema in litt. 2020). In large parts of the range however, e.g. in Suriname, vast areas of pristine habitat remain (O. Ottema in litt. 2020, see also Global Forest Watch 2023), and the species is likely safe there.

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known, but the species occurs in several protected areas across its range.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the population size. Study the species' habitat requirements and tolerance of forest fragmentation and degradation. Monitor the population trend. Continue to monitor rates of deforestation in its range by using remote sensing techniques. Increase the area of suitable habitat that receives effective protection.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Ottema, O., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Lees, A. & O'Shea, B.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ringed-woodpecker-celeus-torquatus 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.