Justification This species probably has a very small population. Remaining habitat is declining, and all severely fragmented subpopulations are considered to be very small. As a result, the species is listed as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Emberizidae

Species name author Salvin, 1895

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 15.5 cm. Grey-and-rufous finch. Dark slaty head with long eyebrow and white moustache. Whiter throat and underparts, with rufous sides of breast becoming cinnamon on sides of belly and crissum. Grey-brown upperparts. Duskier wings and tail. Pale edging to wing-coverts and flight feathers. Juvenile dusky upperparts, throat and breast. Less rufous underparts. Similar spp. Chestnut-breasted Mountain-finch P. caesar has rufous breast. Voice A high pitch harsh cheet-weet cheet-weet.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

9,900 km²

Yes

Range & population Poospiza alticola is restricted to the high Andes of north-central Peru (south Cajamarca, east La Libertad and east Ancash), where it is largely rare to uncommon¹. Most reports are from the Cordillera Blanca, Ancash, where it is common at Morococha^4,5 and within Huascarán National Park^1,6. High-altitude woodlands are now highly fragmented and diminishing². Even in apparently optimal habitat, this species usually occurs at low densities (1-4 individuals per day have been recorded at several sites), and the population is probably very small³.

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

Ecology: It occupies shrubby forest and mixed Polylepis-Gynoxys woodland at 3,500-4,300 m (rarely to 2,900 m)¹, and in some areas it is apparently a Gynoxys (Compositae) specialist, or even dependent on the plant⁴. The species's abundance is apparently not related to forest extent⁴, nor to the abundance of Tit-like Dacnis Xenodacnis parina, an apparent competitor. It feeds on sugary secretions (although this is disputed⁴) and insects from the undersides of Gynoxys leaves^2,4, and from Polylepis and Alnus⁴. Breeding probably occurs in December-February.

Threats Cutting for firewood and a lack of regeneration, caused by burning and intensive grazing, are reducing mixed Polylepis-Gynoxys woodlands². Gynoxys itself has been variously described as unpalatable, favoured for grazing², and particularly vulnerable to grazing of shoots, which prevents regeneration⁴. Other factors include the change from camelid to sheep- and cattle-farming, and erosion and soil degradation caused by agricultural intensification, road construction and the inadequacy of afforestation projects (particularly the use of exotic tree species)².

Conservation measures underway High-altitude forests have been surveyed and conservation measures taken², although they have yet to deliver any benefits to the species⁷. It occurs in Huascarán National Park, Ancash, but habitat degradation continues, even within this reserve^2,3.

Conservation measures proposed Survey to determine its distribution and population size^2,4, especially on the east slope of the Cordillera Blanca⁵. Survey the extent and degree of isolation/connectivity of Polylepis-Gynoxys in north-central Peru, and determine the effect of fragmentation on this species^2,4. Improve and clarify the management plan for Huascarán National Park^2,3,7. Encourage local people to take a leading role in land-use management and restoration schemes^2,4.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Clements and Shany (2001). 2. Fjeldså and Kessler (1996). 3. Frimer and Møller Nielsen (1989). 4. G. Servat in litt. (1999). 5. W.-P. Vellinga in litt. (1999). 6. G. Engblom in litt. (2001). 7. H. Lloyd in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

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 James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International)

Contributors Gunnar Engblom (Kolibri Expeditions), Huw Lloyd (Manchester Metropolitan University), Grace Servat (University of Missouri-St. Louis), W-P Vellinga

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Poospiza alticola. 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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