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 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 described as rare to locally fairly common (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020). Observational records appear frequent across the range (eBird 2021).
Trend justification
A slow population decline is suspected to be occurring owing to the loss and degradation of forest habitats within the range, although direct data on population changes are lacking.
Over ten years, 7% of tree cover is lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). As the species occurs in a variety of forested habitats, including secondary and open forests, population declines are likely slow; they are tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
Eleoscytalopus indigoticus occurs in coastal east Brazil, being recorded in east-central Bahia, Espírito Santo, east Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná Santa Catarina, and northern Rio Grande do Sul (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Gonzaga et al. 1995).
It inhabits the floor and understorey of humid open forest, closed forest edges and dense second growth (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020). It is mostly found in lowlands up to 1,500 m, but in the north of its range it occurs exclusively in foothill forest (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020).
The species is threatened by the destruction and fragmentation of forest within its range, as original vegetation is cleared for agricultural purposes. Nevertheless, it appears tolerant of a moderate level of habitat fragmentation (R. Subira in litt. 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several protected areas, including Itatiaia National Park, Fazenda Intervales State Reserve, Augustio Ruschi Biological Reserve and Caraça Natural Park
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys of suitable habitats within and surrounding the known range to determine its true distribution and abundance. Investigate its behaviour and ecological requirements. Research threats to the species. Monitor the population trend.
Protect suitable habitat. Ensure that protected areas supporting suitable habitat continue to receive adequate protection.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Gilroy, J., Sharpe, C.J. & Subirá, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-breasted Tapaculo Eleoscytalopus indigoticus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-breasted-tapaculo-eleoscytalopus-indigoticus 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.