Iquitos Gnatcatcher - BirdLife Species Factsheet

Justification This newly described species has an extremely small range and population which contnues to decline owing to habitat loss. For these reasons it is classified as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Polioptilidae

Species name author Whitney and Alvarez Alonso, 2005

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates)

Identification A typical gnatcatcher. Largely pale grey with a thin black bill, black eye with a conspicuous broken white eyering, black legs and white corners to the tail. Has a uniformly grey throat and chest, with a white belly, undertail coverts and undertail. Males lack any black on the head, shown in all other species bar one. Similar spp None within the range. Voice Can be distinguished from other gnatcatchers by "inverted chevron-shaped" introductory notes to its song, followed by a series of evenly spaced notes delivered at a faster pace.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

50-249

decreasing

19 km²

Yes

Range & population Polioptila clementsi has recently been described from the Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana just west of Iquitos, Department of Loreto, Peru. Surveys of available habitat within the reserve have only located 15 pairs. Since its discovery, the species has apparently become more difficult to locate year on year.

Ecology: It is rare within white-sand forest with a variable canopy height between 15 and 30 m. Consistently found in tall, humid varillal forest. The species sings for approximately two months during August-October¹.

Threats Available habitat continues to be threatened by clearance for agriculture facilitated by government incentives to encourage colonisation of land surrounding Iquitos; and logging of forest within a national reserve, for construction, fuelwood and charcoal.

Conservation measures underway The entire known population occurs within the boundaries of the recently established Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana. There is now increased awareness of the bird in villages surrounding its known range. It has been adopted as the official bird of Iquitos 'La Perlita de Iquitos'.

Conservation measures proposed Attempt to purchase private property within the Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve in appropriate habitat. Natural history research (especially foraging flock dynamics, micro habitat requirements, and breeding behaviour) essential to improve survey methods and protection actions. Conduct further surveys (and re-survey) for the species in suitable habitat during its vocal period (when there is increased detectability). Enforce protection of remaining habitat within the Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana. Survey or resurvey potential sites during higher detectability singing period¹. Review the possibility of purchasing adjacent disturbed properties outside of reserve with reforestation plan and buffer zone.

References Whitney and Alvarez Alonso (2006). 1. A. B. Hennessey in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Contributors Humberto Alvarez (Universidad del Valle), A. Bennett Hennessey (Asociación Armonía), Bret Whitney (Louisiana State University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2008) Species factsheet: Polioptila clementsi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/11/2008

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, and BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums