Justification This species is known from a very small area of marshland around a single Andean lake, where habitat quality is declining. The population may well be very small and is presumably declining. The species consequently qualifies as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Rallidae

Species name author Fjeldså, 1983

Taxonomic source(s) Fjeldså (1983)

Taxonomic note Laterallus jamaicensis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into L. jamaicensis and L. tuerosi following Fjeldså (1983), contra SACC (2005), pending the outcome of investigation into the taxonomy of this group by SACC.

Identification 12-13 cm. Tiny, strikingly patterned rail. Dark slaty head, throat and underparts with black belly and vent, heavily barred white. Buff undertail-coverts. Dull rufous-brown back. Rest of upperparts dark brown, boldly barred white. Greenish-yellow legs. Voice Single chirrr notes. Males deliver a succession of chic notes ending by falling slurr. Females a low croo-croo-o.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

160 km²

Yes

Range & population Laterallus tuerosi is endemic to the shores of Lago de Junín, Junín, in the Andean highlands of central Peru. It is known at two sites (near Ondores and Pari) on the south-west shore, but is likely to occur in other portions of the c.150 km² of marshland surrounding the lake, and may be fairly common.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: This secretive waterbird inhabits the rushy marsh vegetation fringing Lago de Junín, at 4,080 m in the Andean highlands. Its habitat preferences are not fully known, but it has been observed in mosaics of Juncus and open marsh with mosses and low herbs¹. Breeding is reported to occur at the end of the dry season, in September-October, and two eggs are laid.

Threats Since at least 1955 the lake has been affected by pollution and human-induced water-level changes, which may adversely affect the fringing vegetation. There has been strong desiccation of reed marshes, caused by drought and unsustainable water management by Electro Peru, and occasional flooding with highly acidic water from the Cerro de Pasco mines². Predation by pampas cats Oncifelis colocolo pajeros may be a significant problem which is exacerbated by periods of drought when more of the marsh becomes accessible to the cats⁶.

Conservation measures underway The lake is a national reserve, but this has not influenced mining and dam-building activities⁴.

Conservation measures proposed Survey to assess population size and range. Reduce pollution and regulate water-levels for the benefit of local people and wildlife³. Assess the feasibility of a sustainable habitat management programme³. Investigate the species's taxonomic relationship with L. jamaicensis.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Fjeldså (1983). 2. J. Fjeldså in litt. to Taylor and van Perlo (1998). 3. O'Donnell and Fjeldså (1997). 4. O'Donnell and Fjeldså (undated). 5. Taylor and van Perlo (1998). 6. J. Fjeldså in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Fully detailed species account from the Threatened birds of the Americas: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 1992). Please note, taxonomic treatment and IUCN Red List category may have changed since publication.

Recuento detallado de la especie tomado del libro Aves Amenazadas de las Americas, Libro Rojo de BirdLife International (BirdLife International 1992). Nota: la taxonomoía y la categoría de la Lista Roja de la UICN pudo haber cambiado desde esta publicación.

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Jon Fjeldså (University of Copenhagen)

IUCN Red List evaluators Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Laterallus tuerosi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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