• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The species is described as fairly common in remnants of unspoilt habitat (Restall et al. 2006). Based on observed densities of 30-140 individuals/km² (Cuervo et al. 2005) and tentatively assuming the species occupies 25% of forests with at least 75% canopy density within its range (i.e. 2,000 km²; Global Forest Watch 2021), the population may number 60,000-280,000 individuals. This roughly equates to 40,000-180,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The species is feared to be in decline due to the loss and fragmentation of its habitat (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Within the range, tree cover is lost at a rate of 5% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). As this species is restricted to large patches of mature forest with a dense understory, population declines are likely exacerbated by habitat degradation. Tentatively, population declines are therefore placed in the band 10-19% over ten years.

This species is endemic to Colombia, where it occurs in the northern part of the Cordillera Central from Antioquia through Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, Tolima, Valle del Cauca and possibly further south.

The species inhabits the understory of humid montane forests at elevations of 1,400-2,200 m (Cuervo et al. 2005, Renjifo et al. 2014, Schulenberg 2020). It is only found in undisturbed, large fragments of mature forests and tall secondary growth, but it avoids disturbed areas, plantations of exotic trees or shaded coffee plantations (Cuervo et al. 2005, Schulenberg 2020).

The species is threatened by the loss and fragmentation of its habitat through the conversion of forests for agricultural purposes. It is assumed that 63% of its original habitat have been lost over the past centuries (Cuervo et al. 2005). Currently, tree cover loss within the range is proceeding at a rate of 5% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein).

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Bird, J. & Butchart, S.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Stiles's Tapaculo Scytalopus stilesi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/stiless-tapaculo-scytalopus-stilesi 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.