Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to be undergoing moderately rapid population declines owing to the combined impacts of habitat loss and hunting pressure. It is therefore evaluated as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified following recent taxonomic splits. At least locally the species is common; in northern Bolivia the species occurs at very high densities of 17 individuals/km2 (del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Trend justification
Over the past three generations (23.1 years; Bird et al. 2020), 12% of tree cover has been lost within the range (Global Forest Watch 2021). Even though the species appears to tolerate heavily modified habitats and proximity to human settlements, it is locally additionally hunted for food and commercial purposes (del Hoyo et al. 2020). The rate of population decline is therefore likely considerably higher than the rate of forest loss, and is here tentatively placed in the band 20-29% over three generations.
Pipile grayi occurs in south-east Peru, Amazonian Bolivia, north-east Paraguay and south-west Brazil, where it is common across the Pantanal region of south Mato Grosso (del Hoyo et al. 1994). In Paraguay, the main population occurs along the Apa river border with Brazil in Concepción Department, where it apparently survives well in heavily modified habitats in close proximity to human settlements (H. del Castillo in litt. 2013).
The species occurs in both terra firme (without flooding) and várzea (seasonally flooded) tropical rainforest types, as well as semi-deciduous forest, gallery forest and cerrado (dry savanna woodland). A strong preference is noted for strips of forest within 100 m of rivers, although it appears to mainly occur on the wooded slopes of conical hills in Paraguay. Palm fruits are its preferred food, and it is also known to feed on Tababuia flowers, figs and snails. The species generally breeds during the rainy season. Its nest is built of twigs in dense canopy vegetation (del Hoyo et al. 1994).
The species is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, as expanding human populations put increasing pressure on its forest habitat through conversion for settlements, agriculture and livestock grazing (del Hoyo et al. 2020). It however appears able to tolerate heavily modified habitats and proximity to human infrastructure (del Hoyo et al. 2020). Locally, it is also hunted for food and commercial purposes (del Hoyo et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas, including Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in Bolivia.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Assess the impact of hunting on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Raise awareness for the species in order to decrease hunting pressure. Expand the area of suitable habitat that receives effective protection.
60-69 cm. Medium-sized, black-and-white cracid. Large white lower wing-covert patch. White spots on upper wing-coverts. White crown, nape and forehead. White feathers also surround the eye. Colour of dewlap and bare facial skin varies between white and cobalt blue. White to very pale blue bill with a black tip. Reddish legs. Voice Call is a long series of feeble, slurred whistles. Also claps and whirs wings loudly. Hints Concentrates at fruiting trees and salt licks.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Harding, M., Khwaja, N., Lees, A., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & del Castillo, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-throated Piping-guan Pipile grayi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-throated-piping-guan-pipile-grayi on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.