Archived 2010-2011 topics: Niceforo’s Wren (Thryothorus nicefori): request for information

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Andy Symes (BirdLife)

Link to BirdLife species factsheet for Niceforo’s Wren

Niceforo’s Wren Thryothorus nicefori is currently listed as Critically Endangered under criterion C2a(i), based on the species having a population of fewer than 250 mature individuals, experiencing a continuing decline, with all sub-populations numbering 50 individuals or less.

Recent records have extended the species’s known range, and the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is now estimated at 4,700 km2. In addition, a recent estimate for the total population put the number of mature individuals at 250; however, the accuracy of this estimate requires verification (S. Valderrama in litt. 2008, 2010).

BirdLife range map for Niceforo’s Wren

Robust evidence that the total population indeed numbers at least 250 mature individuals would evoke downlisting of the species to Endangered under criteria B1a+b(iii, v); C2a(i); D1, on the basis that it has a declining population numbering fewer than 1,000 mature individuals, occupying an EOO of less than 5,000 km2. Comments on the likely total population size would be welcomed.

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2 Responses to Archived 2010-2011 topics: Niceforo’s Wren (Thryothorus nicefori): request for information

  1. Oswaldo Cortes says:
    January 23, 2011 at 5:11 am

    esta especie tiene bastantes registros en varias localidades del departamento de Boyaca (Soata, Tipacoque, El Espino y Susacon), se han registrado varios individuos anidando en áreas cercanas a las casas rurales y en cercas vivas. No creo que la población este declinando, pero su restringido rango de distribución es una amenaza para la especie

  2. Andy Symes says:
    January 31, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Fundacion ProAves have provided the following information:

    The range map presented considerably over-states the range of the species, in particular west of the Yariguíes and probably also in the main East Andes. This is a dry habitat specialist. There are a few pairs found in the Chucurí river valley in the region of San Vicente and further north (with sound recordings below the Reinita Cerulea nature reserve), warranting perhaps a few small spots west of the range (not a continuous distribution for the whole west slope). The species is also found on the Yariguíes’ dryer eastern slope. However, the more humid Yariguíes forests of the western slope do not support this species. In the East Andes, the species is not close to being as widely distributed as shown, being largely restricted to dryer habitats in the Chicamocha / Suárez drainage.

    Note that recent papers have demonstrated that Niceforo’s Wren is vocally distinct from Rufous-and-white Wren T. rufalbus

    Fundacion ProAves (in press) The status of various threatened or potentially threatened birds in Colombia. Conservación Colombiana 14

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