Justification This species has a moderately small global population which may be declining owing to habitat degradation and hunting. It is consequently classifed as Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Rallidae

Species name author Bonaparte, 1853

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

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000-19,999

unset

204,000 km²

No

Range & population Fulica cornuta is known from a few high altitude Andean lakes in south-west Bolivia (Oruro in 1903, Potosí), north Chile (Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama), and north-west Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca in 1918, Tucumán, San Juan)³. Large concentrations have been recorded only occasionally, most notably 8,988 in the Vilama and Pululos area of Argentina in October 1995⁶, and 2,800 birds on Laguna Pelada, Bolivia, in November 1989¹. It normally occurs at low densities, with 1-10 nesting pairs at most sites, and up to 70-90 at a few^5,6. The Chilean population is estimated at 620 birds², and Bolivia seems to hold a healthy population⁴. The global population is likely to be in the range of 10,000-19,999 individuals. There is no definite evidence of a recent decline⁵, but local populations are believed to fluctuate greatly between periods of drought and inundation.

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

Ecology: It inhabits high altitude Andean lakes, with dense submerged aquatic plants, primarily at 3,000-5,200 m but as low as 2,000 m in harsh weather.

Threats Its fresh and brackish lakes are susceptible to contamination and vegetation trampling by cattle, and water is pumped from some to coastal towns and mines. It also suffers from hunting, egg-harvesting, and some predation by Andean Gull Larus serranus.

Conservation measures underway Laguna Pelada has some protection.

Conservation measures proposed Research threats. Carry out population census and continue to regularly monitor the population.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Cabot and Serrano (1982). 2. Glade (1988). 3. Haene and Montañez (1996). 4. Rocha and Quiroga (1996). 5. Taylor (1996). 6. TWSG News 9 (1996): 34-39.

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 Marcus Babarskas (BirdLife International), Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Fulica cornuta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/7/2010

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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

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