Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has narrow habitat requirements and it is likely to have a moderately small population, fragmented into small subpopulations, and it may be declining owing to habitat loss. It is therefore considered Near Threatened.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'fairly common but patchily distributed' (Stotz et al. 1996). The total population size is therefore suspected to be small and fragmented.
Trend justification
A slow population decline is suspected to be ongoing, as suitable habitats within the range continue to be affected by agricultural activities.
Limnoctites rectirostris occurs in extreme south Brazil (Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), south Uruguay and east Argentina (Entre Ríos and extreme north-east Buenos Aires) (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Babarskas and Fraga 1998). It is very locally distributed, but locally common in appropriate habitats.
This species occurs up to an elevation of 1,100 m in small marshes and swales, as well as in short trees and shrubs bordering wet areas. It is closely associated with the spiny apiaceous herb "caraguata" Eryngium spp., which is abundant in marshes throughout its range (Ridgely and Tudor 1994). It also occurs locally away from water in upland thickets of Eryngium pandanifolum.
In Argentina, and particularly in the heavily populated Buenos Aires province, its habitat is threatened by house-building, rubbish dumps and water pollution (Chebez 1994). It is presumably also threatened by intensive grazing, marsh drainage, extensive willow Salix plantations and, particularly in east Entre Ríos, the drying effects of Eucalyptus and Pinus spp. plantations (Pearman and Abadie 1995).
Conservation Actions Underway
None known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Repeat surveys of known sites in order to determine rates of population decline and range contraction. Encourage the conservation of wetland habitats within the range, including the gazetting of protected areas at key sites.
Size 16 cm. Summary A long-billed rufous, brown and whitish marsh furnarid. Identification Very long straightish bill. Above grey brown with whitish supercillium; wings and long, graduated and pointed tail (with protruding spines) rufous. Underparts white becoming buff on flanks and undertail. Immature cinnamon above and ochraceous below. Similar species The more widespread Curve-billed Reedhaunter Limnornis curvirostris is stockier and has a curved bill; it is brown above not greyish; with a shorter, broader and rounder tail which lacks the protruding spines. Hints Most visible when singing as it may use an partially exposed perch; best located by call. Voice A series of high-pitched notes accelerating into a trill.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Butchart, S., Hermes, C., Gilroy, J., Sharpe, C.J.
Contributors
Sigales Gonçalves, M.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Straight-billed Reedhaunter Limnoctites rectirostris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/straight-billed-reedhaunter-limnoctites-rectirostris 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.