VU
Yungas Tyrannulet Phyllomyias weedeni



Justification

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Vulnerable as it is estimated to have a small population which is declining due to habitat destruction. Further surveys are needed to precisely establish the population size and trends, and the ability for the species to persist in mosaics of coffee plantations and forest.

Population justification
Rare in Peru (Schulenberg et al. 2010). The population has been estimated at well below 10,000 mature individuals based on low density and patchy distribution, hence the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals seems appropriate. This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals. More accurate surveys are required to precisely quantify the population size.

Trend justification
The population is inferred to be declining owing to ongoing habitat destruction (Herzog et al. 2008).

Distribution and population

Phyllomyias weedeni has only been recently described, and is known from the lower Yungas of Bolivia and Peru. In Bolivia, it is known from three localities in La Paz department, one locality in Beni department, and a further locality in Cochabamba department. In Peru, it is known from Puno department, 1-1.5 km from the Bolivian border. A full population survey has yet to be carried out, however its population is thought to number far fewer than 10,000 mature individuals based on its low density and patchy distribution (Herzog et al. 2008).

Ecology

This species inhabits the upper canopy of evergreen Andean foothill and lower montane forest. It has been observed in mosaics of shade-coffee plantations and remnant forest patches, although it is not known whether this habitat can sustain a viable population. Little is known about its behaviour. It has almost always been observed in pairs, except in early March in southeast Peru. Foraging appears to comprise of short aerial sallies to catch flying insects (Herzog et al. 2008).

Threats

Its habitat is thought to be declining owing to large-scale conversion of forest habitat to subsistence farming (Herzog et al. 2008).

Conservation actions

Conservation Actions Underway
No conservation action is known for the species, though it does occur in four protected areas in Bolivia (Herzog et al. 2008).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Assess the population size and establish a monitoring programme to establish trends. Establish ecological requirements. Identify and assess threats. Preserve an area of suitable habitat. Conduct further surveys for this species within its altitudinal range.

Acknowledgements

Text account compilers
Calvert, R., Sharpe, C J


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yungas Tyrannulet Phyllomyias weedeni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yungas-tyrannulet-phyllomyias-weedeni 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.