Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This poorly known, cryptic species is estimated to have a population size of 10,000-50,000 mature individuals, and is thought to be declining chiefly because of agricultural development within its range. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
Difficult to estimate due to its cryptic habits and very low detectability. Estimated in 2012 to number 25,000-100,000 (Unterkofler and Blanco 2012, Wetlands International 2012). More recently, Lesterhuis et al. (in prep.) estimated a minimum of 8,000 individuals, but conceded 'its population might be considerably larger'. The global population is here estimated to be 8,000-100,000, to encapsulate the uncertainty in these presented estimates, but with a best estimate of 10,000-50,000, reflecting the fact that this species is very probably highly overlooked.
Trend justification
Trends are not well understood, but there is evidence that this is probably declining. In Chile, which represents a significant proportion of this species' range, declines have been reported at localities it was once found to be common (see Gutiérrez and González 2022). While it is possible that these local reports of disappearances may refer to displacements (with birds shifting to other sites), they are precautionarily inferred to represent declines given the scale of land-use change and habitat loss across its range (Cuevas 2017).
Endemic to South America. Found in central Chile, northern Argentina, south-east Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Recently recorded in Bolivia (Aponte et al. 2022), where status unknown.
Occurs in swamps and marshes, in shallow, vegetated areas of water. It is generally intolerant of agricultural impacts on its habitat. Generally found in the lowlands (below 1,000 m), but it has been reported about 1,000 m in Brazil, and there is a single record from Argentina at 2,750 m (Gutiérrez and González 2022).
Habitat loss and reductions in quality are thought to be the main threats to this species. Gutiérrez and González (2022) reported in Chile 'changes in land use, intentional filling of wetlands, low availability of water due to lack of rainfall and poor management of irrigation canals, constant presence of domestic species such as cows, horses and dogs, and intentional fires set in the reeds' as threats to this species.
Conservation Actions Underway
None specific to this species is known. A project to evaluate the status of the species in northern Chile was undertaken between June 2019 and March 2020, which documented considerable declines based on a benchmark of historical records (Gutiérrez and González 2022).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey more parts of the range to determine status and trends there. Protect areas of marsh and bog within this species' range, noting that it probably relies on a network of sites to compensate for periodic droughts and floods.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: South American Painted-snipe Nycticryphes semicollaris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/south-american-painted-snipe-nycticryphes-semicollaris on 18/12/2024.
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 18/12/2024.