Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small population size which is declining as a result of loss of its breeding grounds and capture for the bird trade.
Population justification
Extrapolating observed population densities over the known breeding range resulted in a population estimate of 9,000 mature individuals (Repenning 2012).
Trend justification
The population is inferred to be declining as a result of habitat loss and capture for trade, which has already led to local extinctions in the breeding range (Repenning and Fontana 2013, ICMBio 2018). The rate of decline has not been quantified, but is suspected to be in the band 10-19% over ten years (ICMBio 2018).
Sporophila beltoni is thought to be endemic to Brazil. Its breeds from north-eastern Paraná south to the north-eastern corner of Rio Grande do Sul; its non-breeding distribution is concentrated in Minas Gerais and the neighbouring states, as far north as Bahia (Repenning and Fontana 2013, ICMBio 2018). It is extinct in parts of its breeding range in eastern Paraná and Santa Caterina, likely as a consequence of trapping pressure (Repenning and Fontana 2013, ICMBio 2018).
This species is migratory, arriving at the breeding grounds from October and moving north during the non-breeding season from January (del Hoyo et al. 2020). It requires a specific habitat type, breeding in grasslands that contain a high density of tall shrubs (Repenning and Fontana 2013).
The species is trapped for the cage bird trade with males being targeted in particular (ICMBio 2018); this has a considerable impact on the population and has already led to local extinctions (Repenning and Fontana 2013, ICMBio 2018). Habitat loss is occurring throughout the range, and there is a particular threat to the breeding grounds which are already fragmented and are becoming more so as Pinus plantations are being planted within the required breeding habitat (Repenning and Fontana 2013).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several protected areas across its range (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Produce an updated estimate of the population size. Quantify the impact of trapping on the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Enforce trapping regulations. Raise awareness for the species to reduce trapping pressure.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tropeiro Seedeater Sporophila beltoni. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tropeiro-seedeater-sporophila-beltoni on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.