NT
Tacarcuna Tapaculo Scytalopus panamensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
SACC. 2005 and updates. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Near Threatened B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii); D2
2016 Vulnerable D2
2012 Vulnerable D2
2008 Vulnerable D2
2006 Vulnerable
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 526 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 452 km2
Number of locations 6-10 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2500-9999 mature individuals poor inferred 2021
Population trend stable poor suspected -
Generation length 3.08 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-10 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common at known sites (Renjifo et al. 2017; Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020). A preliminary population estimate can be derived from a congener with similar habitat requirements, the Ecuadorian Tapaculo (Scytalopus robbinsi); this species occurs at a density of c. 27 mature individuals per km2 in suitable forest (Hermes et al. 2017). Assuming that the Tacarcuna Tapaculo occurs at a similar density throughout its range (260 km2), the population may number 7,020 mature individuals. To account for uncertainty, the population is here placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
The population structure has not been assessed, but based on its small range, in which habitat is not fragmented, it is conceivable that the number of subpopulations is low.

Trend justification: Given that the species is not currently subject to any direct threats, it is suspected to be stable. Even though its specific habitat requirements make it vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation as a result of deforestation, forests within its range remain continuous, intact and not highly threatened (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020; Global Forest Watch 2021). The species is however susceptible to current and future climate change, as it may result in range contractions and habitat loss and, in future, a potential slow population decline, as is feared in other Scytalopus species (see e.g. Velázquez-Tibatá et al. 2013, Stiles et al. 2017).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Colombia extant native yes
Panama extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Colombia Capurganá
Panama Darién National Park

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Altitude 1050 - 1500 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation
Energy production & mining Mining & quarrying Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tacarcuna Tapaculo Scytalopus panamensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tacarcuna-tapaculo-scytalopus-panamensis 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.