Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very 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 is considered to be large and does not 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 population is assumed to number as high as 500,000 individuals (Carroll and Kirwan 2020). This roughly equates to c. 300,000 mature individuals. To account for any uncertainty, the population is suspected to fall into the band of 100,000-499,999 mature individuals. though this number requires confirmation.
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be undergoing a slow decline due to habitat loss and potentially hunting. Tree cover loss within the species range equated to c. 3-4% over the past three generations ([14.1 years; Bird et al. 2020], Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species may however be susceptible to hunting and trapping, albeit the exact scale has not been quantified. Locally, it is suffering from predation by dogs (D. F. Cisneros-Heredia in litt. 2022). The species is however considered to be more secure in comparison to congeners due to its remote occurrence (Carroll and Kirwan 2020). The rate of decline is therefore suspected to be below 10% in any case, here placed in the band of 1-9% over three generations.
Odontophorus speciosus occurs in the east Andes. Three subspecies are recognised: Subspecies soederstroemii occurs in south and east Ecuador, being described as fairly common at Podocarpus National Park, but rare elsewhere (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Restall et al. 2006, Carroll and Kirwan 2020). The species is uncommon in Peru, where the nominate subspecies speciosus is restricted to the east-central region and subspecies loricatus occurs in the south-east, ranging from there to east Bolivia (del Hoyo et al. 1994). The species was recently discovered in the southernmost region of Colombia (Donegan et al. 2011, Olaciregui and Guzmán 2011, eBird 2021, GBIF.org 2021).
This is a forest floor species of tropical lowland forest under that occurs between 800-2,000 m (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Carroll and Kirwan 2020). It prefers dense, tangled undergrowth (Restall et al. 2006).
The primary threat to this species is considered to be accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). However, recent deforestation analysis shows that forest loss is low, with tree cover loss equating to <5% over a three generation period ([14.1 years; Bird et al. 2020], Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is however susceptible to hunting (del Hoyo et al. 1994, A. Lees in litt. 2011). The exact scale of hunting or trapping is unknown. Locally, it is suffering from predation by dogs (D. F. Cisneros-Heredia in litt. 2022). The species may however be more secure compared to congeners due to its remote occurrence (Carroll and Kirwan 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas; including the Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador, where it is fairly common (Carroll and Kirwan 2020).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Make efforts to quantify the population size. Investigate the impact of threats. Expand the protected area network to effectively protect IBAs. Effectively resource and manage existing and new protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity conservation. Conservation on private lands, through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture, is also essential (Soares-Filho et al. 2006).
25-27 cm. Medium-sized, mainly brown quail. Overall appears brown and chestnut, with a black face, and the breast and belly a rufous chestnut colour. Female has a grey belly, retaining the rufous breast.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Lees, A. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rufous-breasted Wood-quail Odontophorus speciosus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-breasted-wood-quail-odontophorus-speciosus on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.