Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
A recent survey suggests that this species might be more common than previously feared. However, it is classified as Endangered because it has a very small range and presumably population, which are confined to one area and continue to decline in response to habitat loss.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 1,000-2,499 individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 667-1,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 600-1,700 mature individuals.
Trend justification
There are no new data; however, the species is suspected to be declining at a rate of 1-9% over ten years, owing mainly to habitat degradation.
Ferminia cerverai is known only from the northern and central parts of the Zapata Swamp, Cuba. It was reported as common at the time of its discovery in 1926, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it has subsequently declined. A survey along the Hatiguanico and Guareira rivers in 1998 recorded 24 wrens in three new localities (Kirkconnell et al. 1999).
It occupies freshwater marshes with extensive fields of sawgrass Cladium jamaicensis and patches of shrubs seasonally flooded to a depth of 0.5 metre (Garrido and Kirkconnell 2000). It feeds on insects, spiders, small snails, lizards and berries (Raffaele et al. 1998). Nests are placed in sawgrass tussocks, and the breeding season is apparently January-July (Stattersfield et al. 1998).
Dry-season burning and wildfires both destroy natural habitat and cause direct mortality (Kirkconnell and Wiley 2016), whilst wetland drainage and agricultural expansion further destroy and degrade suitable habitat. It is also possibly predated by introduced mongooses and rats (Dinerstein et al. 1995). The introduced plant Melaleuca leucadendra may also pose a threat (Rodriguez et al. 2013).
Conservation Actions Underway
Areas of the Zapata Swamp have protected status, but regulations are often not enforced (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Surveys for this species were undertaken in 1998 (Kirkconnell et al. 1999). Education and awareness work takes place at a research station at the Ciénaga de Zapata (Rodriguez et al. 2013).
16 cm. Medium-sized, brown wren. Brown, striped black, except for greyish underparts. Long tail, bill and legs. Similar spp. House Wren Troglodytes aedon is smaller, all brown and does not inhabit sawgrass. Voice High-pitched, loud and musical warble preceded by guttural note, given in series of three or four phrases. Also harsh and chipping notes. Female song is weaker and shorter.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Everest, J.
Contributors
Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Pople, R., Sharpe, C.J. & Wege, D.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Zapata Wren Ferminia cerverai. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/zapata-wren-ferminia-cerverai on 25/11/2024.
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 25/11/2024.