Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to have a small population and suitable habitat is in slow decline due to forest loss. The species consequently qualifies as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as rare and uncommon (Schulenberg and Kirwan 2020). It is tentatively suspected that the population numbers 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
The range is disjunct, and therefore the population may likely form at least five subpopulations.
Trend justification
Even though tree cover loss is very low within the range (<2% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) and the species's ability to persist in relatively small forest fragments (Schulenberg and Kirwan 2020), the population is suspected to be in slow decline due to habitat loss and degradation. Based on the rate of tree cover loss, population declines are unlikely to exceed 10% over ten years.
Cranioleuca berlepschi is rare and locally distributed in the Andes of north Peru, from east Piura, through west Amazonas and San Martín, to south-east La Libertad. It has been recorded on Cerro Chinguela (Piura), La Peca Nueva, Leimebamba, Atuén, Lluy, San Cristóbal and near Florida-Pomacichas (Amazonas), La Montañita and Río Abiseo National Park (San Martín) and Mashua (La Libertad) (Davies et al. 1997, Clements and Shany 2001, Begazo et al. 2001, G. Engblom in litt. 2001), and is probably also present in the northern Cordillera de Col and possibly at Abra Patricia. There are large areas of unsurveyed forest at Leimebamba which may hold the species (H. Lloyd in litt. 2007).
It inhabits montane and elfin forest, often just below the treeline, at elevations of 3,050 to 3,400 m, locally as low as 2,500 m or even 1,800-1,950 m (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Barnes et al. 1997, J. Hornbuckle in litt. 1999). It appears to persist in small forest fragments but the minimum size needed is not known (H. Lloyd in litt. 2007). Pairs and small groups are sometimes seen accompanying mixed-species flocks in the understorey (Ridgely and Tudor 1994), subcanopy and canopy (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, Davies et al. 1997). Immatures and juveniles have been seen in July and September, and breeding probably takes place during the dry season (June-September).
Timberline habitats in the Andes have been diminishing since the arrival of humans thousands of years ago, primarily through the use of fire (Kessler and Herzog 1998). During the colonial period, sustainable land-use systems established by Pre-Columbian cultures were largely replaced with unsustainable agricultural techniques, including widespread burning (Kessler and Herzog 1998). Regular burning of páramo grassland adjacent to elfin forest, to promote the growth of fresh shoots for livestock, has lowered the treeline by several hundred metres, and continues to destroy large areas of this species's habitat (Kessler and Herzog 1998, SERFOR 2018). Small and fragmented remnant elfin forests are additionally threatened by clearance for agriculture and grazing, (Barnes et al. 1995, Davies et al. 1997, Kessler and Herzog 1998). Nevertheless, tree cover loss is currently low, equivalent to <2% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Road construction has increased pressure from grazing and selective logging, and there is ongoing rapid habitat clearance in the Leimebamba-Abra Barro Negro area (H. Lloyd in litt. 2007).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in Río Abiseo National Park (Davies et al. 1997).
18 cm. Rufous-brown furnariid. Most of upperparts and breast rufous, becoming olivaceous-brown on belly and rump, and with greyish-buff crown and chin. Bluish-horn bill and hazel to orange iris. Similar spp. Most closely resembles Maracapata Spinetail Cranioleuca maracapatae and Light-crowned Spinetail C. albiceps, but range overlaps with neither species. Voice Usually begins with a low churring, speeding up into a descending 'cheecheecheecheecheechiddididrrrrrr'. Duetting or delivery by several individuals is common. Response to playback is a repeated descending even trill, speeding up at end of delivery, repeated every three seconds 'chee chee chee chee chee chedd-d-d-drrr' (Remsen 2003).
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Engblom, G., Hornbuckle, J., Isherwood, I., Lloyd, H., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Russet-mantled Softtail Cranioleuca berlepschi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/russet-mantled-softtail-cranioleuca-berlepschi 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.