7 thoughts on “White-winged Cotinga (Xipholena atropurpurea)”
In terms of the doubt expressed about the continued persistence of the species in Paraíba state, it is useful also to look at records from WikiAves. In the northeast of Brazil, there are recent documented records from Paraíba (2024), Pernambuco (2024), Alagoas (2022, plus more recent undocumented records, including in 2026, on eBird) and Sergipe (2015). However, it is a rare species in the northeast, occurring in small numbers only in a few of the better preserved forest areas.
The National Red List status of this Brazilian endemic is VU, based on criterion C2a(i). The difference between the national assessment and the proposal here comes down to the size and distribution of subpopulations, with the national assessment adopting the criterion of fewer than 1000 mature individuals per subpopulation (Silveira et al. 2023).
However, the argument made in the proposal here that the largest subpopulation (in southern Bahia) is likely to contain more than 1000 individuals seems reasonable, and the national assessment may need to revisit this species.
Silveira, L.F.; Santos, C.G.M.; Albano, C.G.; Lima, D.M.; Bencke, G.A.; Pacheco, J.F.; Piacentini, V.Q.; Alves, W.N. 2023. Xipholena atropurpurea. Sistema de Avaliação do Risco de Extinção da Biodiversidade – SALVE – Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade – ICMBio. Disponível em: https://salve.icmbio.gov.br Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.37002/salve.ficha.24818.2 – Acesso em: 21 de jan. de 2026.
Na Paraíba, a espécie é considerada muito rara. O último registro documentado para a Reserva Biológica de Guaribas data de 2014 (Sousa, 2014). Apesar de visitas regulares e sistemáticas a essa unidade de conservação e a outros remanescentes florestais desde 2013 até o presente, a espécie não voltou a ser registrada (Lima et al. 2025; Diego Lima, com. pess. 2026). Além disso, desde 2021, visitas direcionadas aos principais remanescentes de florestas do estado da Paraíba não resultaram em novos contatos com a espécie (Diego Lima, com. pess. 2026), reforçando a percepção de raridade.
Registros recentes disponíveis no WikiAves para o município de Santa Rita, nos anos de 2023 e 2024, são ocorrências raras e pontuais no estado.
Em uma escala regional mais ampla, não há registros recentes confirmados para o estado do Rio de Janeiro e para o sul do Espírito Santo, sugerindo extinções locais ou declínios populacionais severos nessas porções meridionais da distribuição da espécie. No Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco, a espécie encontra-se em situação crítica, em função da intensa perda e fragmentação de habitat.
Embora estimativas de densidade populacional obtidas na RPPN Estação Veracel, na Bahia, indiquem a ocorrência de aproximadamente 310 a 1.187 indivíduos em uma área de 60,3 km² (Snow & Sharpe, 2020), a extrapolação desses valores para outras unidades de conservação ou para a totalidade da área de distribuição da espécie deve ser encarada com cautela. Evidências disponíveis indicam que as densidades de X. atropurpurea variam consideravelmente ao longo de sua extensa área de ocorrência, conforme já destacado por Silveira (2008).
A avaliação nacional mais recente da espécie no Brasil foi em 2021. Concordo que, tão logo, deveremos reavaliar a espécie com base em informações mais robustas e atualizadas. Principalmente, verificar se realmente estas estimativas ainda se mantêm no estado da Bahia.
Referencias
SOUSA, A. E. (2014). [WA1404011, Xipholena atropurpurea (Wied, 1820)]. Wiki Aves – A Enciclopédia das Aves do Brasil.
Disponível em: Acesso em: 22 Jan 2026.
Lima, D.M., Sousa, A.E.B.A. and Araujo, H.F.P. (2025)
Temporal variation in the detection of endangered birds in the Northern Atlantic Forest. ZOOLOGIA 42: e24019 | https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v42.e24019
Silveira, L.F. (2008) Xipholena atropurpurea (Wied, 1820) In: Machado, Drummond & Paglia (eds.) Livro Vermelho da Fauna Brasileira Ameaçada de Extinção. Brasilia, DF; Belo Horizonte, MG, Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Fundação Biodiversitas, pp. 518–519.
Returning to comment on this species, there is a case for adopting a more precautionary evaluation, and maintaining the species as VU under criterion C2a(i), as in the national red list assessment, for the following reasons:
* given a lack of understanding of dispersal in this species, it may be that there are more and smaller subpopulations, with each protected area or forest fragment harboring a separate subpopulation
* given the ongoing decline, the density and population estimates cited may not reflect the current situation
* the largest subpopulation within a single fragment, according to the comment above from Diego Lima, was estimated at between 310 and 1,187. If there has been decline since then, as is likely, that would imply that criterion C2a(i) is likely met
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 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
We thank Diego and Ben for their contributions. We note comments regarding recent WikiAves records in Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Sergipe. These records indicate that the species should be considered ‘extant’ (albeit rare) in Paraíba rather than ‘possibly extinct’. We will review the current distribution map to ensure it aligns with the most recent records for this species.
It is pointed out that the density recorded for this species in Veracel Station Private Natural Heritage Reserve may not be appropriate to extrapolate across the entire range because the species’ density varies considerably, and this likely represents a stronghold for the species. Additionally, little is known about the species’ dispersal capabilities, and habitat is highly fragmented. As such, determining subpopulation structure by extrapolating densities from Veracel Station over the total area of potentially suitable habitat is inappropriate. Current knowledge indicates that Veracel Station Private Natural Heritage Reserve holds the largest number of mature individuals (310-1,187 individuals). This indicates that the largest subpopulation may contain less than 1,000 mature individuals.
Furthermore, this information indicates that the minimum population size is likely an overestimate. As such, it is proposed that the minimum population size is revised down for a new population range of 2,500-16,800 mature individuals. Further feedback on the population size is welcome.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to list White-winged Cotinga as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i). This aligns the global assessment with the current national assessment.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, 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 a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. White-winged Cotinga is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
In terms of the doubt expressed about the continued persistence of the species in Paraíba state, it is useful also to look at records from WikiAves. In the northeast of Brazil, there are recent documented records from Paraíba (2024), Pernambuco (2024), Alagoas (2022, plus more recent undocumented records, including in 2026, on eBird) and Sergipe (2015). However, it is a rare species in the northeast, occurring in small numbers only in a few of the better preserved forest areas.
The National Red List status of this Brazilian endemic is VU, based on criterion C2a(i). The difference between the national assessment and the proposal here comes down to the size and distribution of subpopulations, with the national assessment adopting the criterion of fewer than 1000 mature individuals per subpopulation (Silveira et al. 2023).
However, the argument made in the proposal here that the largest subpopulation (in southern Bahia) is likely to contain more than 1000 individuals seems reasonable, and the national assessment may need to revisit this species.
Silveira, L.F.; Santos, C.G.M.; Albano, C.G.; Lima, D.M.; Bencke, G.A.; Pacheco, J.F.; Piacentini, V.Q.; Alves, W.N. 2023. Xipholena atropurpurea. Sistema de Avaliação do Risco de Extinção da Biodiversidade – SALVE – Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade – ICMBio. Disponível em: https://salve.icmbio.gov.br Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.37002/salve.ficha.24818.2 – Acesso em: 21 de jan. de 2026.
WikiAves (2026). Mapa de registros da espécie anambé-de-asa-branca (Xipholena atropurpurea). https://www.wikiaves.com.br/mapaRegistros_anambe-de-asa-branca
Na Paraíba, a espécie é considerada muito rara. O último registro documentado para a Reserva Biológica de Guaribas data de 2014 (Sousa, 2014). Apesar de visitas regulares e sistemáticas a essa unidade de conservação e a outros remanescentes florestais desde 2013 até o presente, a espécie não voltou a ser registrada (Lima et al. 2025; Diego Lima, com. pess. 2026). Além disso, desde 2021, visitas direcionadas aos principais remanescentes de florestas do estado da Paraíba não resultaram em novos contatos com a espécie (Diego Lima, com. pess. 2026), reforçando a percepção de raridade.
Registros recentes disponíveis no WikiAves para o município de Santa Rita, nos anos de 2023 e 2024, são ocorrências raras e pontuais no estado.
Em uma escala regional mais ampla, não há registros recentes confirmados para o estado do Rio de Janeiro e para o sul do Espírito Santo, sugerindo extinções locais ou declínios populacionais severos nessas porções meridionais da distribuição da espécie. No Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco, a espécie encontra-se em situação crítica, em função da intensa perda e fragmentação de habitat.
Embora estimativas de densidade populacional obtidas na RPPN Estação Veracel, na Bahia, indiquem a ocorrência de aproximadamente 310 a 1.187 indivíduos em uma área de 60,3 km² (Snow & Sharpe, 2020), a extrapolação desses valores para outras unidades de conservação ou para a totalidade da área de distribuição da espécie deve ser encarada com cautela. Evidências disponíveis indicam que as densidades de X. atropurpurea variam consideravelmente ao longo de sua extensa área de ocorrência, conforme já destacado por Silveira (2008).
A avaliação nacional mais recente da espécie no Brasil foi em 2021. Concordo que, tão logo, deveremos reavaliar a espécie com base em informações mais robustas e atualizadas. Principalmente, verificar se realmente estas estimativas ainda se mantêm no estado da Bahia.
Referencias
SOUSA, A. E. (2014). [WA1404011, Xipholena atropurpurea (Wied, 1820)]. Wiki Aves – A Enciclopédia das Aves do Brasil.
Disponível em: Acesso em: 22 Jan 2026.
Lima, D.M., Sousa, A.E.B.A. and Araujo, H.F.P. (2025)
Temporal variation in the detection of endangered birds in the Northern Atlantic Forest. ZOOLOGIA 42: e24019 | https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v42.e24019
Silveira, L.F. (2008) Xipholena atropurpurea (Wied, 1820) In: Machado, Drummond & Paglia (eds.) Livro Vermelho da Fauna Brasileira Ameaçada de Extinção. Brasilia, DF; Belo Horizonte, MG, Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Fundação Biodiversitas, pp. 518–519.
Returning to comment on this species, there is a case for adopting a more precautionary evaluation, and maintaining the species as VU under criterion C2a(i), as in the national red list assessment, for the following reasons:
* given a lack of understanding of dispersal in this species, it may be that there are more and smaller subpopulations, with each protected area or forest fragment harboring a separate subpopulation
* given the ongoing decline, the density and population estimates cited may not reflect the current situation
* the largest subpopulation within a single fragment, according to the comment above from Diego Lima, was estimated at between 310 and 1,187. If there has been decline since then, as is likely, that would imply that criterion C2a(i) is likely met
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 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
We thank Diego and Ben for their contributions. We note comments regarding recent WikiAves records in Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Sergipe. These records indicate that the species should be considered ‘extant’ (albeit rare) in Paraíba rather than ‘possibly extinct’. We will review the current distribution map to ensure it aligns with the most recent records for this species.
It is pointed out that the density recorded for this species in Veracel Station Private Natural Heritage Reserve may not be appropriate to extrapolate across the entire range because the species’ density varies considerably, and this likely represents a stronghold for the species. Additionally, little is known about the species’ dispersal capabilities, and habitat is highly fragmented. As such, determining subpopulation structure by extrapolating densities from Veracel Station over the total area of potentially suitable habitat is inappropriate. Current knowledge indicates that Veracel Station Private Natural Heritage Reserve holds the largest number of mature individuals (310-1,187 individuals). This indicates that the largest subpopulation may contain less than 1,000 mature individuals.
Furthermore, this information indicates that the minimum population size is likely an overestimate. As such, it is proposed that the minimum population size is revised down for a new population range of 2,500-16,800 mature individuals. Further feedback on the population size is welcome.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to list White-winged Cotinga as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i). This aligns the global assessment with the current national assessment.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, 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 a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. White-winged Cotinga is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.