Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is restricted to a small range, in which tree cover loss is proceeding slowly.
Population justification
The species has been described as 'relatively common' (O. Cortes-Herrera in litt. 2016), but given its highly restricted range the population is conservatively suspected to fall in the range of 10,000-19,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
Although exact trend data is lacking, the population is suspected of being stable (Jaramillo 2020).
Tree cover loss over the past three generations (11 years) has been low at 2%, since 2017 this has been accelerating to a rate equivalent to 5% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Even though the species prefers forest edge and border habitat and there is currently no evidence of any reductions, the population may start declining in the future should the rate of tree cover loss continue to accelerate.
Arremon basilicus is endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia.
This species is found in undergrowth of humid montane forest and along forest edges (Jaramillo 2020). Its ecology is not well known.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is increasingly being destroyed and fragmented by illegal agricultural expansion, logging and burning (Renjifo et al. 2002). As the species is tolerant of edge habitat (Jaramillo 2020) and tree cover loss is currently low and only occurring at small spatial scales (Global Forest Watch 2022), the impacts on the population size are likely negligible. Deforestation appears to have been accelerating since 2017 however (Global Forest Watch 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to accurately quantify the population size. Investigate the species' ecology and behaviour. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Prevent illegal logging and encroachment in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Cortés, O., Temple, H. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sierra Nevada Brushfinch Arremon basilicus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sierra-nevada-brushfinch-arremon-basilicus on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.