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

Justification of Red List category

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not 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 has not been quantified, 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 global population size has not been quantified, but the species is overall described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996). The population density however varies; the species may be common in more pristine habitat, while it is uncommon or rare in degraded and deforested areas (ICMBio 2018).

Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated directly, but the species is assessed as being in decline as a consequence of the loss, fragmentation and degradation of its habitat. Over the past three generations (13.5 years), 11% of tree cover was lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Since 2016, deforestation has been accelerating within the range to a rate equivalent to 17% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species appears to have some degree of tolerance of habitat degradation and it is not threatened by trapping (A. Lees in litt. 2011, ICMBio 2018, Collar and Boesman 2020), therefore population declines are unlikely to be faster than the rate of tree cover loss. Tentatively, declines are here placed in the band 10-19% over three generations.

Pyrilia vulturina is endemic to north Brazil. Its range extends from the Rio Madeira east to Maranhão and northern Tocantins (del Hoyo et al. 1997, WikiAves 2021). It is naturally rare, and may be restricted to the areas around major rivers within this region, which would mean its range size is overestimated (A. Lees in litt. 2011).

This species occupies both "terra firme" forest (with no flooding) and "várzea" (seasonally flooded forest); it lives in small groups of 6-12 individuals (ICMBio 2018, Collar and Boesman 2020, WikiAves 2021). The species appears to show tolerance of some habitat conversion, as groups can be seen flying between forest fragments, mainly along watercourses (ICMBio 2018). It forages in the canopy of large trees, mainly taking fruits, berries and seeds (Forshaw and Cooper 1981, ICMBio 2018). It is hypothesised that its bare head may be an adaptation for feeding on large fruit, whose juice would mat feathers (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Collar and Boesman 2020). There is no information on its breeding behaviour.

The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). It is assumed that up to 60% of its original habitat has already disappeared (ICMBio 2018). The species however appears to show some tolerance of habitat degradation and can move between forest fragments (A. Lees in litt. 2011, ICMBio 2018). Changes to the Brazilian Forest Code reduced the percentage of land a private landowner is legally required to maintain as forest (including a reduction in the width of forest buffers alongside perennial streams) and include an amnesty for landowners who deforested before July 2008 (Bird et al. 2011). This new environmental policy is seemingly incentivising farmers to clear their land, and deforestation rates and wildfire intensity in the Brazilian Amazon increased rapidly between 2018 and 2020 (S. Dantas in litt. 2020).
The species is not targeted for the wildlife trade (ICMBio 2018, Collar and Boesman 2020).