Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a highly restricted area of occupancy and could face a future threat from invasions of Cactus Mouse Peromyscus eremicus. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Near Threatened under criterion D2.
Population justification
Population numbers are not known.
Trend justification
The population is tentatively assessed as stable.
Passerculus sanctorum is found only on the San Benito islands off the western coast of Baja Califonia, Mexico, in xeric scrub habitats (Rising 2016). It is abundant on these islands.
It is found in xeric scrub and coastal desert-thorn (Lycium californicum), which known also as “frutilla” and apparently exploited extensively. It forages also along the beach (Rising 2016).
Cedros Island Cactus Mouse, Peromyscus eremicus cedrosensis, has become invasive on at least one island (Aguirre-Muñoz et al. 2011), and could be affecting this species. However, at the moment there is no evidence to suggest that there has been any significant effect of the introduction of the mice on this species.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend. Assess threats to the species. Protect remaining habitat.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Everest, J.
Contributors
Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: San Benito Sparrow Passerculus sanctorum. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/san-benito-sparrow-passerculus-sanctorum on 27/11/2024.
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 27/11/2024.