Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very 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). 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). The population size is thought to be small (5,000-20,000 mature individuals), but because the trend is stable, the species 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
Boyla and Estrada (2005) estimated a global population size of 10,000-25,000 birds. Based on a review of surveys and other available records, Lesterhuis et al. (in prep.) estimate a smaller population of c.8,000 birds. The global population estimate is therefore estimated at 8,000-25,000 birds, or c.5,000-20,000 mature individuals (assuming 0.6-0.8 birds are mature).
Trend justification
Although Wetlands International consider the current population trend to be unknown, it is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats (del Hoyo et al. 1996). While Rivas (2023) identified a number of plausible threats and activities that may occasionally impact this species, these are not believed to occur at an acuity or at a geographical scale capable of causing global declines.
The species lives in very remote areas subject to very few threats, but may be occasionally hunted in few places when it comes to lower elevations in winter (MAyDS and AA 2017). The expansion of wind turbines for energy generation within the range may result in collision mortality or affect habitat use (Rivas 2023), but impacts are unlikely to be severe. Overgrazing in some parts of the range is thought to have been a driver for desertification of some grassland areas (Rivas 2023), which may affect the areas used by the species in the non-breeding season. Habitat changes in the mountains driven by climate change are occurring, notably in the loss of glacial area and subsequent hydrological impacts. As yet, impacts on this species are unclear.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis malouinus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-bellied-seedsnipe-attagis-malouinus on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.