Conirostrum tamarugense

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	THRAUPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Conirostrum tamarugense

Species Authority:

Johnson & Millie, 1972

Common Name/s:

English

–

Tamarugo Conebill

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Estades, C., Jaramillo, A., Fjeldså, J.

Justification:
This species is considered Vulnerable because it has a restricted range and breeding has only been confirmed at two locations, where potential changes in forest management could severely affect the entire population.

History:

2007	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Conirostrum tamarugense is largely restricted to two populations within Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve in Tarapacá, Chile¹. It also occurs in tamarugo forest south of Arica in the Chaca (Vitor) valley between the Panamerican highway and the coast, and breeding presumably occurs here⁵. It may also occur further upstream from here although this area is more heavily agricultural. Breeding could take place near Zapiga^1,2, and in other large areas of forest in Pampa del Tamarugal to the south of its known range³. It migrates north to Arequipa, Tacna and Moquegua in south Peru. In 1993, the population was estimated at just over 35,000 individuals, breeding in 108 km² of habitat, and possibly increasing with the expansion of suitable habitat¹.
Countries:	Native: Chile; Peru
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Estades (1996).
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	In Chile, it mostly inhabits plantations of mature tamarugo trees Prosopis tamarugo (which are probably important for breeding¹), as well as riverine scrub, agricultural land and citrus groves, up to 2,950 m. In Peru, it occurs primarily in arid Gynoxys and Polylepis at 3,400-4,050 m, but has been recorded as low as 1,300 m, presumably during migration⁴. Breeding occurs in September-December, followed by migration northwards and upwards¹. Breeding coincides with the seasonal blooming of tamarugo flowers, which provide food for Leptotes trigemmatus caterpillars and, in turn, this bird¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

In Chile, it mostly inhabits plantations of mature tamarugo trees Prosopis tamarugo (which are probably important for breeding¹), as well as riverine scrub, agricultural land and citrus groves, up to 2,950 m. In Peru, it occurs primarily in arid Gynoxys and Polylepis at 3,400-4,050 m, but has been recorded as low as 1,300 m, presumably during migration⁴. Breeding occurs in September-December, followed by migration northwards and upwards¹. Breeding coincides with the seasonal blooming of tamarugo flowers, which provide food for Leptotes trigemmatus caterpillars and, in turn, this bird¹.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Tamarugo is managed mainly for the production of sheep forage¹. There are ongoing attempts to control L. trigemmatus with chemicals or parasitoids¹. Water for tamarugo plantations comes from aquifers, which also supply the city of Iquique. The consequences of this water removal are not known, but decreases in supply to the plantations could have serious impacts on the species and local communities¹. A favoured area in the Chaca (Vitor) valley was burned in 2006⁵. Wintering sites suffer activities such as the widespread cutting of Polylepis woodland, although the species is not dependent on the presence of Polylepis^1,5.

Major Threat(s):

Tamarugo is managed mainly for the production of sheep forage¹. There are ongoing attempts to control L. trigemmatus with chemicals or parasitoids¹. Water for tamarugo plantations comes from aquifers, which also supply the city of Iquique. The consequences of this water removal are not known, but decreases in supply to the plantations could have serious impacts on the species and local communities¹. A favoured area in the Chaca (Vitor) valley was burned in 2006⁵. Wintering sites suffer activities such as the widespread cutting of Polylepis woodland, although the species is not dependent on the presence of Polylepis^1,5.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Tamarugo was almost extirpated when the Chilean government began a replantation programme in the 1930s. By the 1970s, 146 km² had been reforested¹. Breeding habitat is currently protected and expanding in Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve¹. Conservation Actions Proposed Monitor the population¹. Study the effects of tamarugo management strategies¹. Assess the likely effects of water-pumping¹. Develop management strategies that benefit the tamarugo ecosystem and local communities¹. Research alternatives to the control of L. trigemmatus, and economically assess the cost of not controlling populations¹.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Tamarugo was almost extirpated when the Chilean government began a replantation programme in the 1930s. By the 1970s, 146 km² had been reforested¹. Breeding habitat is currently protected and expanding in Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve¹.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor the population¹. Study the effects of tamarugo management strategies¹. Assess the likely effects of water-pumping¹. Develop management strategies that benefit the tamarugo ecosystem and local communities¹. Research alternatives to the control of L. trigemmatus, and economically assess the cost of not controlling populations¹.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Conirostrum tamarugense. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 04 February 2012.
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