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 threshold for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence 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 global population is estimated to number 50,000-499,999 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2019). The species is described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The species is undergoing a large, significant decline (Partners in Flight 2019). A remote-sensing study found that forest within its range has been lost at a rate of 7% over a ten year period (Tracewski et al. 2016). Assuming that forest loss is continuing at this rate and population declines are proportional to forest loss, the species may be declining at < 10% over a ten year period.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. & Palmer-Newton, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rufous-winged Woodpecker Piculus simplex. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-winged-woodpecker-piculus-simplex 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.