Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a restricted range, this exceeds threatened thresholds under the range size criterion. The population size is likely to be moderately small but to exceed 10,000 and the largest subpopulation in southern Ecuador and Tumbes/Piura almost certainly considerably exceeds 1,000 mature individuals. Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the rate of reduction appears to be slow to moderate, even allowing for additional decline above recorded rates of apparent habitat loss. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified. Density has not been reported, but the congener S. ucayalae has been recorded at between 4.7 and 7.7 individuals per square kilometer in south-east Peru (Lloyd 2004). Based on the distribution of records and noting that the species is uncommon, if only 20% of the modelled area of suitable habitat (12,786 km2 [M. Sanchez-Nivicela in litt. 2024]) is occupied, the population can be inferred to be between 12,000 and 19,700 mature individuals. This is in line with the assessment of the species' status in Ecuador, which judged the population to fall between 2,500-9,999 mature individuals (see Freile et al. 2019). Ecuador holds roughly 20% of the mapped global distribution, hence a crude scaling of this gives a suspected number of 12,500-49,999 mature individuals. Tentatively the species population is suspected to fall between 12,000-20,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
This species is declining; while in the past it was described as fairly common to common, it is now considered uncommon and local (Jiggins et al. 1999, Schulenberg et al. 2007, Freile and Restall 2018). The Ecuadorian assessment also recognised that there was a continuing decline in mature individuals (Freile et al. 2019).
Declines are thought to be caused by habitat destruction. Within the range, tree cover is lost at a rate of 2% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). This value however does not account for the additional impacts of forest degradation and fragmentation. Considering this, rates of population declines are possibly higher than the rate of tree cover loss alone suggests. Tentatively, population declines are here placed in the band 1-9% over ten years, noting that the trend rate may vary locally.
Syndactyla ruficollis occurs on the foothills and slopes of the west Andes in south-west Ecuador (El Oro and Loja) and north-west Peru (Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and Cajamarca). It is currently regarded as monotypic, however there is thought to be at least one subdivision in the population in central Piura. Previously two subspecies were described, with birds around Celica and Loja in southern Ecuador considered slightly different, however the described differences have been observed throughout the range and further records do not indicate any break in the range around this region.
It inhabits evergreen, semi-deciduous and deciduous forests at 400-2,900 m, being most abundant above 1,600 m. It tolerates considerable forest disturbance and occurs in secondary growth, woodland and forest edge as well as pristine forest (Vellinga et al. 2004). It generally keeps high in trees, foraging on large branches and probing bases of bromeliads and ferns, but is also occasionally recorded flicking leaves on forest floor. It tends to forage alone or in pairs (occasionally small groups), often with mixed-species flocks. The nest is unknown, but breeding is thought to take place during the wet season, in January-May.
The main threat to the species is the loss and degradation of its habitat through logging and conversion for agriculture, notably livestock pastures (SERFOR 2018, Remsen Jr. and Sharpe 2020). Intense trampling and grazing of extant forest by goats and cattle destroy forest understory and prevent tree regeneration, especially in deciduous forest (SERFOR 2018).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range, including Cerros de Amotape National Park in Peru (SERFOR 2018). It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Peru and Ecuador (SERFOR 2018, Freile et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to accurately quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range.
18 cm. Pale, buff-and-rufous furnariid. Brown-rufous crown grades into cinnamon-rufous upperparts. Rufescent wings, bright rufous tail. Buffy-rufous eyebrow and dusky neck sides and eye-stripe. Grey ear-coverts and area below eye, with whitish markings. Cinnamon-buff throat, brighter on sides. Rest of underparts olive-brown, with irregular buffy streaking on breast. Voice Song a series of harsh, nasal notes that start slowly and speed up. Sharp ank call.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Freile, J., Isherwood, I., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Sánchez-Nivicela, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla ruficollis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-necked-foliage-gleaner-syndactyla-ruficollis 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.