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 is very large, and hence does not 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 this species is described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Densities of c.8 birds/km2 have been recorded in ideal conditions in Manu National Park, Peru (Sherman et al. 2020). Even under the assumptions that the species occurs at a considerably lower density elsewhere and that only a small proportion of the range is occupied, the population must be very large, likely numbering >100,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is described as becoming rarer or absent in areas where it previously was common, likely as a consequence of habitat loss and hunting (Sherman et al. 2020).
Over the past three generations (22.5 years), 6% of tree cover has been lost within the range; since 2017 this has been increasing to a rate equivalent to 8% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). This species is described as sensitive to forest loss and anthropogenic disturbance (Sherman et al. 2020). Precautionarily it is therefore suspected that overall habitat loss exceeds the rate of tree cover loss by half, suggesting an overall rate of habitat loss of 9% over the past three generations and accelerating to 12% over three generations from 2017 onward.The impact of hunting on the population size has not been quantified. It is tentatively suspected that hunting contributes an additional c.5% to the rate of population decline, though an exact estimate is urgently required. Population declines are therefore here placed in the band 10-19% over three generations.
Psophia leucoptera is restricted to west-central Amazonia, west of the Madeira and south of the Amazon/Solimões in Brazil, west into north-eastern to central Bolivia, through Amazonian Peru and to the extreme south-eastern Colombia.
This species occurs in undisturbed dense tropical moist forest away from human settlement (Sherman et al. 2020). It lives in cooperatively polyandrous groups of up to about 10 individuals, roaming a permanent territory on foot in search of ripe fruit, arthropods and some small vertebrates, including snakes. Breeding takes place between September and April, with the nest located in a hollowed out tree trunk on average 11 m above ground (Sherman et al. 2020).
The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared for cattle ranching and agricultural cultivation, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011, A. Lees in litt. 2011). The species' habitat preferences suggest that it is sensitive to habitat degradation and disturbance.
Hunting appears to be a significant threat across the range of the species, and has become a greater problem with the increased availability of firearms during the past century (Sherman 1996).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, but it occurs in several protected areas across its range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the total population size. Study the species' habitat requirements in detail. Quantify the impacts of hunting. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of forest loss across its range. Increase the area of suitable habitat that is protected. Raise awareness for the species, with the aim of reducing hunting pressure.
45–52 cm. Sturdy, upright, ovoid, noisy, largely terrestrial birds of western Amazonian forests. Predominantly black, with gleaming white secondaries forming a large pure white patch on the hindquarters when the are wings folded. The bill and legs are pale yellow. Similar species. Ochre-winged Trumpeter P. ochroptera, formerly included with this species has ochre, rather than white, secondaries and this extends partly on to the lower mantle rather than just being confined to the secondaries. The bill is also dark. Grey-winged Trumpeter P. crepitans has grey secondaries and ochre across the lower mantle.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Lees, A., Phalan, B., Subirá, R., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-winged Trumpeter Psophia leucoptera. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-winged-trumpeter-psophia-leucoptera 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.