NT
White-lored Warbler Myiothlypis conspicillata



Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species occurs within a small range, in which habitat is lost at an accelerating rate due to logging and forest degradation. It is consequently classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common, particularly between 1,000 and 1,500 m (Stotz et al. 1996, Gómez Montes 2020).
Based on the population density of related species (Basileuterus melanogenys: 5 individuals/km2; M. nigrocristata and M. luteoviridis: 10 individuals/km2) and an area of occupied habitat of 3,091 km2, the population was inferred to number 15,450-30,900 individuals (Renjifo et al. 2016 and references therein). This roughly equates to 10,300-20,600 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Despite some tolerance of converted habitats, the species is absent in areas without a continuous, dense understory (Renjifo et al. 2016). Therefore, it is suspected to undergo a decline as a consequence of the loss and degradation of its habitat.
Within the range, 4% of tree cover have been lost over the past ten years; since 2017 this has been increasing to a rate equivalent to 6% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). It is assumed that population declines may be roughly equivalent to the rate of tree cover loss; they are here placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.

Distribution and population

The species occurs in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, north Colombia.

Ecology

It inhabits humid montane forest, forest borders and well-developed second growth and shade-coffee plantations at 450-2,830 m (R. Strewe in litt. 2003, Renjifo et al. 2016). Even though it appears to tolerate some level of habitat degradation, it is more common in undisturbed humid forests (Renjifo et al. 2016). It is mainly insectivorous and forages in the undergrowth and low to mid-levels (Renjifo et al. 2016, Gómez Montes 2020). Otherwise, its ecology remains largely unknown.

Threats

Forests in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are threatened by agricultural expansion, logging and burning. Only 15% of the vegetation is unaltered, as habitat was cleared for coffee and illegal marijuana plantations and subsequently sprayed with herbicide by the government (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Currently, tree cover loss is low, but has been accelerating since about 2016 (Global Forest Watch 2022).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park. In parts of the range, habitat restoration projects are carried out to remove non-native tree species (Renjifo et al. 2016).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Accurately quantify the population size. Conduct studies into the species' ecology and tolerance of habitat degradation and fragmentation. Monitor the population trend.
Prevent encroachment and logging activities within Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park. Continue habitat restoration programmes.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Butchart, S., Gilroy, J., O'Brien, A., Sharpe, C.J. & Strewe, R.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-lored Warbler Myiothlypis conspicillata. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-lored-warbler-myiothlypis-conspicillata 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.