Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is only known from a small area in northern Peru. Declines in habitat availability and population size are suspected as a result of forest loss in the small range. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon to fairly common (Schulenberg and Sedgwick 2020) and records are frequent and continuous throughout its small range (eBird 2022). Given its small range the population is however unlikely to be large, and an accurate quantification is urgently required.
Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but the species is suspected to decline due to forest loss. Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 6% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite some tolerance of edge and secondary habitat, it requires the presence of tall mature forest (Schulenberg and Sedgwick 2020, J. Barrio in litt. 2023). As population declines may therefore be steeper than the rate of tree cover loss suggests, they are here placed in the band 10-19% over ten years.
Picumnus steindachneri is endemic to the eastern slope of the Andes in northern Peru, where it is known from the central Huallaga valley and locally the Utucubamba valley in north-west San Martín and south-east Amazonas. Vast areas of suitable habitat nearby however remains largely unexplored, and it is possible that its distribution is wider than currently assumed (Schulenberg and Sedgewick 2020).
It inhabits humid tropical and lower montane forests with many epiphytes, forest edge, and tall secondary growth (Winkler et al. 1995, Clements and Shany 2001). It has occasionally been found in new second growth, but appears to require at least proximity to primary forest (Begazo et al. 2001, Schulenberg and Sedgewick 2020, J. Barrio in litt. 2023). It may be seen singly, in pairs or small family groups, and often moves through the canopy with mixed-species flocks (Winkler et al. 1995, R. Webster and R. A. Rowlett in litt. 1998). Its ecology remains poorly known (Schulenberg and Sedgewick 2020).
Despite its tolerance of edge and secondary forest the species depends on mature forests and is therefore vulnerable to widespread conversion of forest for agricultural purposes (Schulenberg and Sedgwick 2020). Human population and consequently clear-cutting, selective logging and small-scale agricultural encroachment are expanding particularly in the lower parts of the range in the east (Schulenberg and Sedgwick 2020, Global Forest Watch 2022). Substantial areas have been converted for agriculture and cattle pastures (Dinerstein et al. 1995, Hornbuckle 1999). Deforestation for coca plantations was a threat in the early 1980s, but commercial production now appears to have ceased in the area.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range, including Alto Mayo Protected Forest and Río Nieva Reserve Zone (SERFOR 2018).
10 cm. Tiny, black-and-white woodpecker. Dark grey upperparts with faint pale scaling. Prominent white fringes to wing feathers. Black crown and breast spotted white. White belly barred black. Male has extensive red tips to crown feathers. Voice High-pitched trill lasting several seconds.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Angulo Pratolongo, F., Barrio, J., Benstead, P., Capper, D., Fjeldså, J., Rowlett, R.A., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T., Symes, A. & Webster, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Speckle-chested Piculet Picumnus steindachneri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/speckle-chested-piculet-picumnus-steindachneri 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.