Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Near Threatened because it is suspected to be undergoing moderately rapid population declines owing to habitat loss, hunting and capture for the illegal cagebird trade.
Population justification
The species is described as uncommon to fairly common, though it is less conspicuous than other toucans in the same region and may be more easily overlooked (Stotz et al. 1996, Short and Kirwan 2020). Near São Paulo, a density of 5-12 individuals/km2 could be observed (Short and Kirwan 2020). Assuming that this density is roughly representative for the entire range the global population may be very large, likely numbering over 100,000 mature individuals. An accurate estimate is however urgently required.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to hunting and capture for the cage-bird trade, as well as habitat loss. Within the range, 12% of tree cover is lost over three generations (14.4 years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Even though the species is also found in edge and mature secondary habitat, it is described as highly sensitive to forest fragmentation (Short and Kirwan 2020). Therefore, population declines may be steeper than the rate of tree cover loss suggests. The impact of hunting and trapping has not been quantified, but precautionarily the population decline is here placed in the band 20-29% over three generations.
Baillonius bailloni occurs in south-east Brazil (Pernambuco, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro south to Santa Caterina and Rio Grande do Sul), east Paraguay and northern Argentina (northern Misiones).
It occurs in lowland and montane Atlantic forests, generally on slopes and beside streams; it also persists in edges, old secondary growth, selectively logged forest and large patches of forest remnants, as long as mature forests are nearby (F. Olmos in litt. 2003, L. Mestre in litt. 2020, Short and Kirwan 2020). It is omnivorous, consuming mainly fruits and seeds, but also insects and nestlings of other bird species (L. Mestre in litt. 2020).
The species is threatened by habitat loss, as well as by hunting and trapping for the illegal cagebird trade (Brooks et al. 1993, Chebez 1994). Tree cover loss within the range amounts to 12% over three generations (14.4 years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Montane forests have suffered less destruction than adjacent lowland forests, but isolated fragments in the north of its range have been reduced by the expansion of pasture and cultivation and by fires spreading from cultivated areas. Hunting and trapping are local within the range; hunting appears to be more severe in Paraguay but less so in Argentina (M. Pearman in litt. 2003, N. Rey in litt. 2004).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES II. It occurs in a number of protected areas including Itatiaia, Foç do Iguaçu and Saint Hilaire/Lange National Parks, Brazil, as well as Iguazú National Park, Argentina. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Argentina (MAyDS and AA 2017).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Accurately quantify the population size. Study its ecological requirements. Assess the impact of threats, particularly the extent of hunting and trapping. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Effectively protect areas where the species occurs. Develop awareness-raising campaigns in areas where hunting is a particular threat. Enforce law to prevent capture for the illegal cagebird trade.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Clay, R.P., Mansur, E.F, Mestre, L., Olmos, F., Pearman, M., Rey, N., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Saffron Toucanet Pteroglossus bailloni. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/saffron-toucanet-pteroglossus-bailloni 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.