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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a small population, which is in decline due to the loss and degradation of Polylepis woodlands within its range. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The species is patchily distributed, but locally common or fairly common. In 1992, the population was suspected to number 1,000-4,000 mature individuals (Collar et al. 1992), though this may be a slight underestimate. Tentatively, the population is here placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, but an accurate quantification of the population size is urgently required.

Trend justification
The species is suffering from the loss and degradation of Polylepis forests within its range, on which it strictly depends, while heavy grazing by livestock does not allow the forests to regenerate. Consequently, the population is inferred to undergo a slow decline, the rate of which has not been quantified.

Zaratornis stresemanni is patchily distributed in the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes in Peru (La Libertad, Ancash, Lima, Ayacucho and Arequipa), with most records on the west slope.

The species inhabits small patches of Polylepis woodland with a ground cover of Gynoxys shrubs and puna grass, mostly at elevations of 3,250-4,760 m (Schulenberg 2020). Despite being resident, it may undertake some seasonal altitudinal movements and descend to lower elevations during the dry season between August and November. It feeds primarily on two genera of mistletoe, for which it is the main seed-dispersal agent (Castañeda Gil 2010). Nest-building has been recorded in March, and nests with eggs and young have been found in May.

The most severe threat to the species are uncontrolled cutting of Polylepis woodlands for timber, firewood and charcoal, and heavy grazing by livestock, which prevent forest regeneration (Fjeldså and Kessler 1996; J. Fjeldså in litt. 1999, 2007; SERFOR 2018). Other factors include the inadequacy of afforestation projects, in particular the use of exotic plants (Fjeldså and Kessler 1996).

Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within several protected areas across its range, including Huascarán National Park, Ancash.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to locate additional populations and refine the distribution range. Accurately quantify the population size. Research the species' ecology. Quantify the impact of threats on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Prevent overgrazing. Create buffer zones of firewood trees in altitudes below Polylepis woodlands. Establish reforestation programmes with Polylepis and other native species. Raise awareness for the species and its habitat.

18 cm. Distinctively patterned cotinga. Black crown. Silvery-white face and cheeks. Grey-brown throat and upper breast. Rest of underparts yellowish-buff, coarsely streaked black, except in mid-belly. Brighter crissum. Upperparts striped buff and dusky. Dusky wings and tail fringed yellowish. Red iris. Juvenile paler, with drab breast. Similar spp. Juvenile Red-crested Cotinga Ampelion rubrocristatus has grey crown, lacks white face and has less well-defined plumage. Voice Frog-like song is loud, low-pitched and nasal reh-reh-reh-rrrrr-rE-rE, lasting c.4 seconds.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Angulo Pratolongo, F., Capper, D., Fjeldså, J., Isherwood, I., Khwaja, N., Pilgrim, J., Pople, R., Servat, G., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T., Symes, A. & Valqui, T.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-cheeked Cotinga Zaratornis stresemanni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-cheeked-cotinga-zaratornis-stresemanni on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.