Rusty-flanked Crake (Laterallus levraudi) | Text

Rusty-flanked Crake Laterallus levraudi

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Justification

Justification of Red List category
Recent surveys have found the population and range to be much larger than previously estimated. However, numbers are still likely to be less than 2,500 mature individuals and declining in response to a plethora of threats affecting wetlands within its range. It consequently qualifies as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The known population at seven recently discovered sites in Lara and Falcón in 1996 was c.35-94 pairs (Boesman 1997). By 2012, there were 25 additional known sites, with further surveys likely to discover additional localities, so the total population is probably several times the known figure (Boesman 1997, Sharpe et al. 2001, V. Morón-Zambrano in litt. 2012, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2015, Sharpe and Ascanio 2015). Therefore, although the population at known sites was thought not to exceed 250 individuals in 2008 (Ascanio and Sharpe 2008), it is now believed to exceed 1,000 individuals (Sharpe and Ascanio 2015); the total population is therefore placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals, equating to 15,00-3,750 individuals in total.

Trend justification
A slow and on-going population decline is inferred to be taking place owing to the continued loss and degradation of wetland habitats.

Distribution and population

Laterallus levraudi occurs on the lower Caribbean slope of north-west Venezuela, in eastern Zulia (V. Morón-Zambrano in litt. 2012), Barinas, Portuguesa, Falcón, Lara, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Distrito Federal and Miranda. Until 1995, the only post-1946 records were from Yacambú (Lara), Morrocoy (Falcón) (Lentino and Goodwin 1991) and Embalse de Taguaiguai (Aragua). However, surveys in 1995-1996 identified seven new localities in east Falcón and west Carabobo (Boesman 1997). The first records for Barinas and Portuguesa were in 1998, with subsequent records from eastern Zulia (V. Morón-Zambrano in litt. 2012), and by 2012 the species was known from 32 localities (Sharpe et al. 2001, Hilty 2003, V. Morón-Zambrano in litt. 2012, Sharpe and Ascanio 2015, Taylor et al. 2015). It is probable that deforestation along the eastern flank of the Andes, together with the construction of dykes and pools for watering cattle, has allowed the species to spread southwards through Falcón, Yaracuy and Barinas (Sharpe et al. 2001) and westward to the Maracaibo Basin (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2017).

Ecology

It inhabits dense, aquatic vegetation fringing marshes, lakesides, lagoons, swamps, flooded pastures and sometimes dry grassland, in the lowlands to 600 m, but with records to 1,400 m at Yacambú. In hilly country, it occurs in small ponds at least partly bordered by reeds and grasses and with some fringing vegetation or adjacent forested slopes. In more open country, it has been found in lakes, pools or marshes with rich or very dense, undisturbed aquatic vegetation. Several known areas are artificial ponds, and it seems to be able to survive in small roadside and pastureland water bodies as long as there is lush marginal vegetation (Boesman in litt. 2012, P. Clavijo Michelangeli in litt. 2012). In Zulia, it has been recorded from shrimp farms and drainage ditches (V. Morón-Zambrano in litt. 2012). It probably breeds in May-July, with young fledging in August-September (Boesman 1997).

Threats

Industrial waste, pesticides and lowering of water-levels are degrading wetland habitats. Falling water-levels in the mid-1980s are blamed for its disappearance from Embalse de Taguaiguai. Tourist development and pollution threaten the Morrocoy and Cuare areas (Ascanio and Sharpe 2008). Agriculture and deforestation are advancing around Canoabo Dam, and plans to increase the water-level at Guataparo Lake would inundate habitat (Boesman 1997).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
Considered Endangered at the national level in Venezuela (Sharpe 2008, Sharpe and Ascanio 2015). It occurs in Yacambú and Morrocoy National Parks. However, there are no significant wetland areas in Yacambú, where it inhabits a man-made pond.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey (in May-August, when birds are most vocal) to locate additional populations and reassess overall population size (Boesman 1997). Identify specific threats (Boesman 1997). Monitor known populations to determine trends (C. J. Sharpe, J. P. Rodríguez and F. Rojas-Suárez in litt. 1999). Assess its ecological requirements (Boesman 1997, C. J. Sharpe, J. P. Rodríguez and F. Rojas-Suárez in litt. 1999), in particular to determine the benefit to the species of artificial pools. Develop a conservation strategy (Boesman 1997, C. J. Sharpe, J. P. Rodríguez and F. Rojas-Suárez in litt. 1999). Manage important wetlands (e.g. Guataparo Lake, Tacarigua and Canoabo dams and San Pablo marsh) (Boesman 1997).

Identification

14-18.5 cm. Small rail. Dark olive-brown above. Rufous head, ear-coverts, sides of neck and flanks. White underparts. Grey lores. Greenish-yellow bill and legs. Red eye. Female smaller than male. Immature duller with smaller bill and greyish legs. Similar spp. Two sympatric Laterallus species both have barred rear flanks. Uniform Crake Amaurolimnas concolor has rufous underparts. Voice Normally a 3-5 second (occasionally longer) churring rattle.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Pilgrim, J., Benstead, P., Hermes, C., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Wheatley, H.

Contributors
Boesman, P., Rodríguez, J., Clavijo Michelangeli, P., Rojas-Suárez, F., Lentino, M., Moron, V.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rusty-flanked Crake Laterallus levraudi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rusty-flanked-crake-laterallus-levraudi 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.