Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Vulnerable because the available knowledge suggests that the total population is small and continuing to decline. The reasons for this are unclear.
Population justification
Lethaby and King (2010) consider it unlikely that the population numbers more than a few thousand, and based on current knowledge, a population estimate of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals seems realistic.
Trend justification
The population is assumed to be decreasing. Historical records typically comprised of multiple specimens from a given location and include statements such as 'common', 'quite a colony', 'up to 15', and 'up to 30', indicating the existence of sizeable colonies, whereas recent records are usually of migrants in the lowlands, with the only definite breeding record being a colony of just 2-6 birds (Lethaby and King 2010).
Progne sinaloae breeds in pine-oak forest and semi-open habitat at nine sites on the west slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It still appears to occupy its traditional breeding range from Sonora to Michoacán, with recent records from Guerrero (Lethaby and King 2010). Breeding has been recorded historically in Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Nayarit , Jalisco and Michoacán states, Mexico (Phillips 1986, Lethaby and King 2010); of these, it is still known to breed in Sinaloa and Jalisco (Lethaby and King 2010). Recent records have further placed the species in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico (Pérez-Arteaga et al. 2017). It has been recorded on migration in Mexico and casually in Guatemala (Turner and Rose 1989, Howell and Webb 1995) and Belize. Its wintering range remains unknown, although there was a possible sighting without photos in November 2004 in northern Peru (D. Lebbin in litt. 2016).
This very poorly known species breeds in small colonies in pine-oak forest and semi-open habitat in mountainous areas (Turner and Rose 1989, Howell and Webb 1995) but its wintering grounds (and habitats) are unknown. Historical and contemporary records are compiled and analysed by Lethaby and King (2010).
The causes of the decline in this species are unknown.
Conservation Actions Underway
This species is on the watch list as part of the State of North America's Birds (North American Bird Conservation Initiative 2016)
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey the breeding range to map its extent and assess the size of the breeding population (Tobias et al. 2006, Lethaby and King 2010). Special attention should be given to areas with post-1980 records (Lethaby and King 2010). Attempt to locate wintering areas, using light-level geolocators as has been done with other martin species, and assess threats there (D. Lebbin in litt. 2020). Thoroughly check mixed non-breeding roosts of Progne martins in Amazonia for this and P. dominicensis, perhaps through mist-netting (Tobias et al. 2006).
Text account compilers
Everest, J.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Isherwood, I., King, J., Lebbin, D., Lethaby, N., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sinaloa Martin Progne sinaloae. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sinaloa-martin-progne-sinaloae 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.