Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very 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 has not been quantified, but it is not believed to 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 the species is described as fairly common to common in undisturbed areas (Stotz et al. 1996, Collar et al. 2020).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been quantified, but the species is assessed as being in slow decline as a consequence of habitat loss and potentially hunting and trapping. Large tracts of forest within the range remain pristine and at low risk; over three generations (14.4 years) tree cover loss amounts to 3% (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite its apparent preference for edges and openings, the species is not tolerant of habitat degradation, secondary growth or agropastoral land (Collar et al. 2020). The impact of trapping on the population size has not been quantified. Overall however, it is tentatively assumed that population declines do not exceed 10% over three generations.
Pionites xanthurus occurs in Brazil, from Rio Purús and Rio Juruá to Rio Madeira, and is characterised common across most of its range (del Hoyo et al. 1997).
This species occurs along watercourses in lowland tropical rainforest. It preferentially occurs in várzea (seasonally flooded forest), although it is also found in terra firme forest (with no flooding) (del Hoyo et al. 1997). Despite its apparent preference for edges and openings, the species is not tolerant of habitat degradation, secondary growth or agropastoral land (Collar et al. 2020).
The primary threat to this species is accelerating rates of deforestation in the Amazon basin (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). Changes to the Brazilian Forest Code reduced the percentage of land a private landowner is legally required to maintain as forest (including, critically, a reduction in the width of forest buffers alongside perennial steams) and include an amnesty for landowners who deforested before July 2008 (who would subsequently be absolved of the need to reforest illegally cleared land) (Bird et al. 2011). Despite being common in undisturbed landscapes, the species is not thought to be tolerant of secondary forest or agropastoral land and appears restricted to alluvial habitats. It may also be susceptible to hunting and trapping for domestic trade (A. Lees in litt. 2011). It is currently not recorded in international trade (S. Bruslund in litt. 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, but it occurs within Juruena National Park.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Investigate the species's ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements. Investigate the population structure. Quantify the levels of trade in this species. Quantify the impact of hunting and trapping on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Effectively manage existing and new protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity conservation. Raise awareness for the species and its habitat. Incentivise conservation on private lands through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture (Soares-Filho et al. 2006).
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Bruslund, S., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Lees, A., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-tailed Parrot Pionites xanthurus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-tailed-parrot-pionites-xanthurus on 30/11/2024.
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 30/11/2024.