Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Vulnerable because it is restricted to a very small range, in which ongoing habitat loss is driving a population decline.
Population justification
The species is described as overall scarce to locally common, and 'fairly common' in the Cerro Colorado area (Angehr and Dean 2010; Baldwin 2020). The population size is preliminarily suspected to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.
The subpopulation structure has not been formally assessed; however in view of the small range and presumably high dispersal abilities (per Baldwin 2020) the species likely functions as one subpopulation.
Trend justification
The species is undergoing a large, significant decline (Partners in Flight 2019). The rate of decline is thought to exceed 50% between 1970 and 2017 (Partners in Flight 2019; see also Panjabi et al. 2019), which equates to c.13% over the past ten years.
Forest loss within the range has been low between 2001 and 2020 (2%; Global Forest Watch 2021). However, deforestation rates have increased considerably since 2018, to an average of 0.4% per year (Global Forest Watch 2021). Assuming that forest loss is continuing at this rate into the future, it may amount to 4% over the next three generations (10.2 years). Based on this value, the population is suspected to decline at <10% over the next three generations.
Pselliophorus luteoviridis is restricted to west and central Panama in the Serranía de Tabasará (Chiriquí, Veraguas and probably Bocas del Toro and Coclé). It has been recorded at Fortuna Forest Reserve, Cerro Flores and Cerro Colorado (adjacent peaks of the Cerro Santiago massif), and above Santa Fe and Chitra (Cerro San Antonio) (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989, Angehr and Jordan 1998, Angehr 2003), where it is scarce and poorly known. It probably also occurs in Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park (Angehr 2003).
It inhabits highland cloud-forest, borders and clearings, at elevations of 1,200-1,800 m.
Major threats to the species include forest clearance for coffee plantations, subsistence agriculture, cattle grazing, overuse of pesticides and fires (Alvarez-Cordero et al. 1994). Deforestation is also occurring at the higher elevations favoured by the species, even within the boundaries of protected areas (Angehr 2003). Overall, the rate of forest loss has been very low within the range over the past two decades, but has been increasing substantially in recent years since 2018 (Global Forest Watch 2021).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in Fortuna Forest Reserve and Santa Fe National Park (Angehr 2003). It may also occur in Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park (Angehr 2003). The Panama Audubon Society has discussed a protected area with representatives from the Comarca, but no action has been taken as yet (G. Angehr in litt. 2007).
17 cm. Stocky, dusky finch. Dull olive-green with black cap, wings and tail. Dusky grey sides of head and throat. Bright yellowish-olive underparts, but duller on flanks. Conspicuous bright yellow thighs and bend of wing. Similar spp. Sooty-faced Finch Lysurus crassirostris is more olive, lacks yellow thighs, black head and wings and has white moustache. Voice High pitch squeaky chattering and tsweet tsweet calls
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Angehr, G., Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J. & Temple, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-green Brushfinch Pselliophorus luteoviridis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-green-brushfinch-pselliophorus-luteoviridis 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.