Yellow-legged Tinamou (Crypturellus noctivagus)

Yellow-legged Tinamou Crypturellus noctivagus

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Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Near Threatened as the population declines at a moderately rapid rate as because of habitat loss and degradation as well as hunting pressure.

Population justification
The population size has not been quantified. Subspecies zabele is suspected to number less than 10,000 mature individuals (ICMBio 2018). While the size of the nominate subspecies noctivagus is unknown, observational records (per eBird 2022) suggest that it may be of roughly equal size. Tentatively, the overall population is therefore here placed in the band 10,000-19,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification
In the past the species was considered common, but is now described as rare and local (ICMBio 2018). Despite its tolerance of secondary habitats, population declines are attributed to habitat loss and degradation as well as the impacts of hunting (ICMBio 2018, Cabot et al. 2020). While declines in subspecies noctivagus are not thought to exceed 20% over three generations (16.1 years), subspecies zabele is suspected to decline at a rate of >30% over three generations and to suffer local extinctions (ICMBio 2018, Las-Casas et al. 2019). Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 13% over three generations (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Even though the species is not strictly dependent on forests it appears negatively affected by large-scale habitat degradation (ICMBio 2018). The impact of hunting has not been quantified. Tentatively, the overall population decline is here placed in the band 20-20% over three generations.

Distribution and population

Crypterellus noctivagus occurs in the caatinga and Atlantic forests of east Brazil. The nominate subspecies is found from south Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul, with an apparent stronghold in south São Paulo and east Paraná (Aleixo and Galetti 1997). It is now restricted to only a few Atlantic forest sites (Cabot 1992), but appears to have always been scarce or rare in the south of its range (Hellmayr 1929, Belton 1984). Subspecies zabele occurs from Minas Gerais to Piauí and Pernambuco (Sick 1993).

Ecology

It occurs in caatinga and Atlantic forest, particularly remnant lowland forest below 700 m. It can apparently survive in degraded and secondary forest.

Threats

It suffers from widespread and continuing habitat destruction and hunting pressure throughout its range, but can survive in degraded and secondary forest (Aleixo and Galetti 1997, ICMBio 2018, Cabot et al. 2020).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
At the national level, both subspecies are separately listed as Vulnerable (ICMBio 2018). Subspecies noctivagus is included in an assessment of ex situ conservation action for Galliformes in Brazil, though reintroductions or population reinforcement are currently not considered a high priority (Phalan et al. 2020).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the overall population size. Monitor populations to quantify the population trend. Quantify the impacts of hunting on the population size. Protect remaining habitat. Raise awareness about the species' rarity and encourage local people to reduce hunting pressure.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Kirwan, G.M., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Williams, R.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-legged Tinamou Crypturellus noctivagus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-legged-tinamou-crypturellus-noctivagus on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.