Data Zone
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 is likely to be large, and hence does not 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
This species is described as locally rare (Y. G. Molina Martínez in litt. 2023). In Colombia, a population density of 0.9-2.6 individuals/km2 could be recorded (Ríos et al. 2005, Santini et al. 2018). This density is however not believed to be representative for the entire range (E. Botero-Delgadillo in litt. 2023, Y. G. Molina Martínez in litt. 2023). The global population can therefore not be quantified. Based on the extremely large range however, the population is unlikely to be small.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in slow decline owing to habitat loss and hunting pressure, and the species has reportedly declined or disappeared in areas close to settlements (del Hoyo and Kirwan 2020, T. Donegan in litt. 2023).
Over three generations (23.4 years), c.7% of tree cover is lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). However, as it appears to tolerate some degree of secondary and edge habitats (del Hoyo and Kirwan 2020), habitat loss may not be driving substantial declines. Hunting pressure varies throughout the range, but may be locally high (del Hoyo and Kirwan 2020); therefore, population declines are here tentatively placed in the band 10-19% over three generations.
Aburria aburri is found on the slopes of the north and central Andes, from north-west Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to southern Peru (del Hoyo 1994, Parker et al. 1996).
It inhabits wet montane forest, forest edge and and tall secondary growth adjacent to primary forest. It may undertake some seasonal altitudinal movements to lower zones, but the exact nature of these is still unclear (del Hoyo 1994, del Hoyo and Kirwan 2020). It feeds on fruit, usually in pairs or groups of three.
Deforestation has been most prevalent in the Andes within this altitudinal range. Habitat destruction, mainly through clearance for agriculture, remains the major threat (del Hoyo 1994, del Hoyo and Kirwan 2020), but its noisy habits and tendency to stay high in the branches make it particularly vulnerable to hunting for food (del Hoyo 1994, Strahl et al. 1994, T. Donegan in litt. 2023).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Venezuela and Peru (Rojas-Suárez et al. 2015, SERFOR 2018) and as Near Threatened in Ecuador (Freile et al. 2019). Some environmental education and awareness programmes were carried out in Venezuela, though these are no longer ongoing (Rojas-Suárez et al. 2015).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Obtain basic ecological information such as habitat use and requirements, home range size, population dynamics and seasonal movements. Assess the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on populations. Quantify the impact of hunting on the population size. Monitor population trends at known sites.
Control hunting more effectively. Re-establish and expand campaigns to raise awareness and reduce hunting. Consider establishing captive breeding programmes.
72-78 cm. A large all blackish Guan. Long slender red and yellow wattle hangs from throat, legs yellow, bill blue. Similar spp. There is no other all blackish Guan in range. The bicoloured wattle is unique to this species. Voice A repeated loud wailing ba-reeeeer-ah. Hints Best located by voice.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Botero-Delgadillo, E., Capper, D., Clay, R.P., Donegan, T., Isherwood, I., Molina-Martínez, Y.G., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Wattled Guan Aburria aburri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wattled-guan-aburria-aburri on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.