Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a small 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). The population size may be small, 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). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Panama, the species is described as fairly common in suitable habitat (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989), but appears to be less common in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2016). Based on the lower band of population density estimates of congeners, the population in Colombia is inferred to number 353 individuals (Renjifo et al. 2016). Assuming that the species occurs at a similar density in Panama, the national population there may be around 1,765 individuals; however, this may be an underestimate given that the species is described as fairly common. The overall population is here preliminarily inferred to number at least 2,118 individuals, equating to roughly 1,400 mature individuals, though this requires confirmation.
The population structure is not known.
Trend justification
Hunting, habitat loss and fragmentation are not yet major issues in this species's altitudinal range; over the past three generations (13.5 years) forest loss has been negligible (<0.5%; Global Forest Watch 2021). The population is therefore considered to be stable.
Odontophorus dialeucos was discovered in 1963, and is only known from Cerros Mali and Tacarcuna on the Tacarcuna ridge in Darién, extreme east Panama and adjacent Chocó, north-west Colombia (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989; Wege 1996).
This is a very poorly-known, terrestrial bird of humid forests, found at elevations of 1,050-1,450 m (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989; Wege 1996).
Hunting for food, and habitat clearance and degradation resulting from mining, agriculture, cultivation of coca and subsistence affect birds in this region (Alvarez-Cordero et al. 1994). However, these threats are probably not yet factors within this species's altitudinal range. Completion of the Pan-American highway link through Darién could lead to severe, long-term damage to forest on the Tacarcuna ridge (Alvarez-Cordero et al. 1994; Wege 1996), but this appears to be unlikely to happen in the near future. Nevertheless, its very small range may render it susceptible to stochastic events and human activities.
Conservation Actions Underway
Darién National Park protects the entire range in Panama (Wege 1996). In Colombia, the species occurs in Los Katíos National Park. However, legal protection has not halted habitat loss at lower altitudes (Wege 1996).
24 cm. Plump, brown-and-white forest partridge. Brown upperparts vermiculated black. More buffy on hindneck. Black crown and crest lightly spotted white. White supercilium, throat and chest with black band on lower throat. Rest of underparts buff-brown mottled black. Voice Low, rapid calls similar to other Odontophorus spp.
Text account compilers
Everest, J., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Keane, A., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tacarcuna Wood-quail Odontophorus dialeucos. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tacarcuna-wood-quail-odontophorus-dialeucos 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.