Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range and its forested habitat is declining as a result of widespread clearance for agricultural purposes. Tree cover loss has been accelerating rapidly in recent years. For these reasons, the species is listed as Endangered.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon or rare, and absent from seemingly suitable habitat (Hilty 2003, Greeney and Remsen Jr. 2020).
The closely related Premnoplex pariae, with which it was formerly considered conspecific, was found at a density of 0.8 individuals/ha (Evans et al. 1994). Assuming that P. tatei occurs at the same density, and further assuming that only around 10-20% of forests within the range are occupied to account for the species's rarity (per Hilty 2003), the population may number 7,520-19,200 individuals, roughly equating to 5,000-12,800 mature individuals. However, given the age of this estimate and the suspected slow decline of the population, an up-to-date estimate is required.
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be declining as a consequence of the loss, fragmentation and degradation of its forested habitat.
Over the past ten years, 4% of tree cover within the range has been lost; since 2017 this has been accelerating to a rate equivalent to 6% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is strongly dependent on humid forests (Sharpe and Lentino 2015, Greeney and Remsen Jr. 2020) and therefore, population declines may exceed the rate of tree cover loss. Tentatively, the rate of population decline is therefore placed in the band 1-9% over the past ten years, accelerating to 10-19% since 2017.
Premnoplex tatei occurs in the Serranía de Turimiquire and Cordillera de Caripe in north Venezuela.
It inhabits the understorey (up to 2 m from the ground) of montane humid forest, where there is extensive epiphytic growth.
There has been widespread clearance for agriculture in the Turimiquire Massif and the region is considered highly threatened by conversion to coffee, mango, banana, and citrus plantations. Swidden agriculture and commercial coffee cultivation occur within strict protected areas: even in El Guácharo National Park there is clearance, repeated burning and understorey removal for coffee (Boesman and Curson 1995, Sharpe and Lentino 2015). The slopes of Cerro Negro are largely bare with the more obvious forest patches actually shade-coffee plantations (Boesman and Curson 1995).
Conservation Actions Underway
It is formally protected by El Guácharo National Park. The Turimiquire massif is a Protective Zone, but in practice the legal status is not enforced.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to better quantify the population size. Research into the species' ecology and behaviour. Investigate the species' tolerance to forest degradation and disturbance. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Sustainably manage forests in the Turimiquire massif.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Capper, D., Gallardo, A., García Rawlins, A., Pople, R., Pérez-Emán, J., Rodríguez, J.-P., Rojas-Suárez, F., Sharpe, C J, Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-throated Barbtail Premnoplex tatei. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-throated-barbtail-premnoplex-tatei on 24/11/2024.
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 24/11/2024.