Asthenes heterura

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	FURNARIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Asthenes heterura

Species Authority:

(Berlepsch, 1901)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Maquis Canastero

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Hjarsen, T., Mayer, S., Mazar Barnett, J. & Pearman, M.

Justification:
This species has a moderately small and fragmented range, and is likely to be declining owing to ongoing loss and degradation of montane habitats. It is therefore considered Near Threatened.

History:

2008	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Near Threatened
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Asthenes heterura occurs in central Cochabamba and La Paz, with recent records in Potosí, Tarija and Chuquisaca, Bolivia (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Fjeldså and Kessler 1996, Fjeldså and Mayer 1996), and there are six records from Jujuy and Salta, north Argentina (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Mazar Barnett and Pearman 2001). It has probably been overlooked (Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Fjeldså and Mayer 1996, T. Hjarsen in litt. 1999, S. Mayer in litt. 1999), and in Argentina has almost certainly been confused with Lesser Canastero A. pyrrholeuca, which it resembles morphologically (M. Pearman in litt. 2001).
Countries:	Native: Argentina; Bolivia, Plurinational States of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. (1996).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is fairly common to uncommon in dense arid montane scrub and open Polylepis and Alnus woodland with grasses and mixed scrub (e.g. Gynoxys and Baccharis), at elevations of 2,500-4,200 m (Vuilleumier 1969, Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Parker et al. 1996, Mazar Barnett et al. 1998a, T. Hjarsen in litt. 1999). A specimen collected at 1,600 m in Bolivia in June 1914 suggests that it may descend in altitude during the winter months (M. Pearman in litt. 2001). It has also been found in tall clumps of Festuca bunchgrass, intermingled with areas of short turf and even patches of bare soil (Mazar Barnett et al. 1998a), and shrubbery and hedgerows away from Polylepis (S. Mayer in litt. 1999).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is fairly common to uncommon in dense arid montane scrub and open Polylepis and Alnus woodland with grasses and mixed scrub (e.g. Gynoxys and Baccharis), at elevations of 2,500-4,200 m (Vuilleumier 1969, Ridgely and Tudor 1994, Parker et al. 1996, Mazar Barnett et al. 1998a, T. Hjarsen in litt. 1999). A specimen collected at 1,600 m in Bolivia in June 1914 suggests that it may descend in altitude during the winter months (M. Pearman in litt. 2001). It has also been found in tall clumps of Festuca bunchgrass, intermingled with areas of short turf and even patches of bare soil (Mazar Barnett et al. 1998a), and shrubbery and hedgerows away from Polylepis (S. Mayer in litt. 1999).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Although not entirely dependent on Polylepis woodlands, their destruction through clearance for cultivation, firewood-collection and burning for pasture undoubtedly threatens some populations (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Pinus and Eucalyptus plantations are replacing suitable native vegetation (T. Hjarsen in litt. 1999), but some populations (e.g. around Alto Calilegua, Argentina) receive protection by their remoteness from human habitation.

Major Threat(s):

Although not entirely dependent on Polylepis woodlands, their destruction through clearance for cultivation, firewood-collection and burning for pasture undoubtedly threatens some populations (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Pinus and Eucalyptus plantations are replacing suitable native vegetation (T. Hjarsen in litt. 1999), but some populations (e.g. around Alto Calilegua, Argentina) receive protection by their remoteness from human habitation.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It occurs in Los Cardones National Park, Argentina Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct ecological studies to determine this species's precise habitat requirements and tolerance of habitat fragmentation. Repeat surveys of known sites to determine rates of range contraction and population trends. Grant protection to areas of suitable habitat to safeguard against clearance and degradation.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in Los Cardones National Park, Argentina

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct ecological studies to determine this species's precise habitat requirements and tolerance of habitat fragmentation. Repeat surveys of known sites to determine rates of range contraction and population trends. Grant protection to areas of suitable habitat to safeguard against clearance and degradation.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Asthenes heterura. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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