Surfbirds News

Of particular interest are stands of the endemic Humboldt oak, many of which have been logged. ABC, under its William Belton Small Grants Program, provided funding to ProAves Colombia to study the status of four oak forest birds, ranked by IUCN-World Conservation Union as globally Endangered or Critically Endangered.

White-tipped Quetzal, Colombia, Santa Marta May 2004 © Nigel Driver

The four species, Mountain Grackle (Critical), Black Inca (Endangered), Rusty-faced Parrot (Endangered), and Gorgeted Wood-Quail (Critical), depend at least seasonally on oak forests. However, between 66% and 85% of their historic ranges have now been converted to agriculture. Yet despite this dire habitat situation, the investigators turned up some encouraging results. From 151 counting points at five sites in the area, the team observed Black Inca at 27 localities, seven of which were previously unknown; Rusty-faced Parrot was found at 29 localities; Mountain Grackle was found at 22 localities; and Gorgeted Wood-Quail was detected at 20 localities – more than were initially expected.

The study concluded that all four species should be reclassified as Vulnerable. Care is necessary, however, as downgrading a species ranking can impact the attention and funding it receives. The goal of evaluating the status of species is to use the best available information so conservation can be prioritized for the species most in need.