This discussion was first published on Dec 2 2010 as part of the 2011 Red List update, but remains open for comment to enable reassessment in 2013. Link to BirdLife species factsheet for Oaxaca Sparrow Oaxaca Sparrow Aimophila notosticta is currently listed as Near Threatened under criterion B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v), on the basis that it has a moderately small range, which is probably in decline owing to habitat loss and degradation. This species’s Extent of Occurrence was recently estimated at 39,300 km2 which does not approach the threshold for Vulnerable under the B1 criterion; however, the species’s status has been maintained at Near Threatened as a precautionary approach. Partners in Flight estimated the population to number fewer than 50,000 birds (A. Panjabi in litt. 2008), so it is placed in the band 20,000-49,999 individuals. Significant tracts of habitat remain, but are under pressure from cutting of vegetation for timber and firewood, and clearance for cattle-ranching, thus a decline in the species’s range is suspected, although there is apparently no direct evidence of a population decline. Further details on this species’s likely population size, current trend over 11 years (estimate of three generations) and the severity of threats are required to clarify its threat status, thus comments are invited on these matters. The following document was sent by Pronatura on 16 February 2012: Aimophila notosticta Pronatura Feb12
Oaxaca occure in Oaxaca state, mainly until foothills of Sierra Juarez, and until cuicatlan. In the southern part, gets until end of the Central valley region. In Puebla state, the species gets almost until Puebla city (one bird captured in Africam Safari, umplublish data). The habitat in fact is dry scrub oak, but main of its habitat is on very steep foothills making hard the harvesting for firewood. It could be interested to have this species under conservation plan at local scale, but I doubt it on global scale.
Pronatura have sent a document with information on this species, and this can be found just below the forum topic.