8 thoughts on “Sharp-tailed Tyrant (Culicivora caudacuta)”
I believe (based on subjective perception) that the situation of C. caudacuta cannot be considered of little concern. It is a bird associated with specific environments in the Cerrado, a biome that has been rapidly converted into plantations in Brazil. We observed that in Bahia (Chapada Diamantina – Mucugê) in some places it disappeared after the habitat was converted into potato plantations.
Least Concern seems appropriate. This was also the conclusion of the last Brazilian national assessment, carried out in 2018.
Most of the species’ EOO is in Brazil, and according to the national assessment, records of the species are being expanded in the country, with the discovery of new populations, some of which have been numerous, in large and conserved areas in the state of Tocantins. The assessors consider that although the species occupies habitat pressured by agricultural expansion, current threats are not sufficient to take it to the thresholds of risk of extinction in the near future (Marini et al, 2023).
Marini, M.A.; Lima, D.M.; Carvalho, C.B.; Ubaid, F.K.; Silva, G.B.M.; Abreu, T.L.S.; Oliveira, T.D.; Alves, W.N.; Dias, F.F.; Alquezar, R.D. 2023. Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818). Sistema de Avaliação do Risco de Extinção da Biodiversidade – SALVE.
Available in: https://salve.icmbio.gov.br DOI: 10.37002/salve.ficha.11743 – Accessed: 02 de fev. de 2024.
In Paraguay the species is a localized but not uncommon resident of the Mesopotamian Savannas, Cerrado and Humid Chaco ecoregions. However, it was considered Endangered at the national level in the most recent assessment (due to 2017) due to the widespread loss and degradation of natural grassland and savanna habitats throughout the country, due to too frequent fires, overgrazing, conversion to agricultural crops, and a recent marked increase in afforestation with Eucalyptus. There is no quantification of population size or the rate of decline, but it is considered significant.
I suspect that with better information, it is likely that this species may qualify as NT or VU. However, based on available information and the Brazilian National Red List assessment, LC seems appropriate at this moment, as it would bring the two lists into sync for this species which has the majority of its range in Brazil.
As with other grassland specialist species, habitat loss is more challenging to measure than for forest species, and grasslands in general receive less conservation attention and official protection than forests, resulting in ongoing declines in habitat area and quality across this species’ range. Changes in fire dynamics, linked to ongoing climate change, may also pose a threat to this species that will grow over time.
This is a species that occurs at naturally low population densities and is dependent on native grassland habitat in good condition. Within Brazil, the population in the Cerrado and that in the southern grasslands may best be analysed separately. A researcher, Cassiana Aguiar, is working on this species and in due course may be able to provide additional information on population density, habitat requirements and other aspects that may be helpful in future evaluations.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 12 February 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 12 February 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 18 February 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 February 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sharp-tailed Tyrant is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will now be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I believe (based on subjective perception) that the situation of C. caudacuta cannot be considered of little concern. It is a bird associated with specific environments in the Cerrado, a biome that has been rapidly converted into plantations in Brazil. We observed that in Bahia (Chapada Diamantina – Mucugê) in some places it disappeared after the habitat was converted into potato plantations.
Least Concern seems appropriate. This was also the conclusion of the last Brazilian national assessment, carried out in 2018.
Most of the species’ EOO is in Brazil, and according to the national assessment, records of the species are being expanded in the country, with the discovery of new populations, some of which have been numerous, in large and conserved areas in the state of Tocantins. The assessors consider that although the species occupies habitat pressured by agricultural expansion, current threats are not sufficient to take it to the thresholds of risk of extinction in the near future (Marini et al, 2023).
Marini, M.A.; Lima, D.M.; Carvalho, C.B.; Ubaid, F.K.; Silva, G.B.M.; Abreu, T.L.S.; Oliveira, T.D.; Alves, W.N.; Dias, F.F.; Alquezar, R.D. 2023. Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818). Sistema de Avaliação do Risco de Extinção da Biodiversidade – SALVE.
Available in: https://salve.icmbio.gov.br DOI: 10.37002/salve.ficha.11743 – Accessed: 02 de fev. de 2024.
In Paraguay the species is a localized but not uncommon resident of the Mesopotamian Savannas, Cerrado and Humid Chaco ecoregions. However, it was considered Endangered at the national level in the most recent assessment (due to 2017) due to the widespread loss and degradation of natural grassland and savanna habitats throughout the country, due to too frequent fires, overgrazing, conversion to agricultural crops, and a recent marked increase in afforestation with Eucalyptus. There is no quantification of population size or the rate of decline, but it is considered significant.
I suspect that with better information, it is likely that this species may qualify as NT or VU. However, based on available information and the Brazilian National Red List assessment, LC seems appropriate at this moment, as it would bring the two lists into sync for this species which has the majority of its range in Brazil.
As with other grassland specialist species, habitat loss is more challenging to measure than for forest species, and grasslands in general receive less conservation attention and official protection than forests, resulting in ongoing declines in habitat area and quality across this species’ range. Changes in fire dynamics, linked to ongoing climate change, may also pose a threat to this species that will grow over time.
This is a species that occurs at naturally low population densities and is dependent on native grassland habitat in good condition. Within Brazil, the population in the Cerrado and that in the southern grasslands may best be analysed separately. A researcher, Cassiana Aguiar, is working on this species and in due course may be able to provide additional information on population density, habitat requirements and other aspects that may be helpful in future evaluations.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 12 February 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 12 February 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 18 February 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 February 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sharp-tailed Tyrant is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will now be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.