Justification This flightless grebe is listed as Endangered because it has suffered from very rapid population reductions. The population is small enough that, if declines continue, this species may soon need uplisting to Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Podicipedidae

Species name author (Gould, 1868)

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

Synonyms Rollandia micropterum Stotz et al. (1996), Rollandia micropterum Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 28-45 cm. A distinctive flightless grebe. Upperparts blackish-brown. Chin, throat and foreneck white. Nape and lower foreneck reddish-brown. Bill yellow. Non-breeding adult is pale, duller and lacks crest. Juveniles are greyer, with striped heads and the white on the foreneck extending onto the breast.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,600

decreasing

79,000 km²

No

Range & population Rollandia microptera is endemic to open, freshwater lakes on the altiplano of Peru and Bolivia. It occurs from lakes Arapa and Umayo in south-eastern Peru, through Lake Titicaca into adjacent Bolivia, and along the Desaguadero River to Lakes Uru-uru and Poopó¹. Temporary populations occur on smaller adjacent lakes in years when Lake Titicaca floods¹. Surveys in the 1970s and 1980s led to population estimates of between 2,000-10,000 individuals, with at least 1,147 on Lake Umayo alone in 1986². Surveys in 2001 found just four individuals on Lake Umayo, and 156 adults on Lake Arapa, whereas 215 adults and 45 young were recorded from 16 lakes in the Peruvian range². Counts during 1997 in Bolivia found a total of 100 individuals². Further declines were indicated during a brief follow-up survey in 2003³, but surveys of Lake Titicaca in 2003 found a total of 2,583 individuals, which was thought likely to be an underestimate of the total population on the lake. In 2007 preliminary census data found 1,254 individuals in the wet season⁹. A census on a small section of the Río Laka Jahuira (at Paso Julian) in 2004 found 138 mature individuals, and further surveys are needed along the entire eastern section of the river to confirm the size of this subpopulation⁷. The total global population is estimated at 1,600 mature individuals⁵.

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

Ecology: It is a social species, but usually solitary when feeding¹. It breeds in wide reed-marshes composed primarily of tule-rushes (Schoenoplectus tatora) in places with easy access to open water, or in open view in floating water weeds¹. Fish of the genus Orestias comprise up to 94% of prey as measured by biomass⁵. The species is an opportunistic breeder and reproduction occurs throughout the year⁵.

Threats Since at least the early 1990s, there has been unregulated use of 80-100 m long monofilament gill-nets in lakes throughout its range. Confirmation that birds are drowned in these gill-nets comes from local fishermen and direct observations - one study found 100% of Aymara fishermen questioned had found grebes drowned as bycatch in their nets⁵, 45% of the fishermen finding such birds on a weekly basis. A rapid evaluation with two fishermen in 2005 found one dead grebe per net/fisherman/day⁶ and studies in 2006-2007 found 2.7 individuals per fisherman/month. Local, natural fluctuations in water levels seriously impact breeding success². Lakes Poopó and Uru Uru are threatened by chemical contamination from the heavy metal mining industry⁷. Lake ecosystems in the area are being affected negatively by the introduction of exotic fish such as Basilicthys bonariensis and Onchorhynchus mykiss ^4,5. Uro communities have recently started hunting birds, including Titicaca Grebes, on a commercial basis to sell at market⁵, and eggs may be harvested for food. Harvesting of tule-beds has taken place for centuries but human population growth and market demand for cattle may be changing harvesting patterns and posing a threat to the grebes' breeding habitat⁵. In particular burning of tule-rushes during the grebes' peak breeding period may be affecting reproduction⁶. Tourism on Lake Titicaca has increased rapidly over the past decade, and disturbance by boats may be a threat to reproductive success⁹. Alteration of the rio Desaguadero watercourse for extensive farming may affect the aquatic ecosystems of Lakes Poopó and Uru Uru in the future⁹. Organic and inorganic waste from cities such as Alto is dumped in large quantities in some parts of Lake Titicaca⁹.

Conservation measures underway Although some areas are protected, there is currently no action being taken to protect the species or to mitigate the threats it faces.

Conservation measures proposed Promote awareness of the plight of the species amongst local communities and encourage involvement in its conservation. Formulate a Species Action Plan. Investigate alternatives to gill-netting along reedbed edges and scaring methods to reduce bycatch. Implement a monitoring programme using a standardised survey technique to assess declines. Survey Río Laka Jahuira to confirm whether species present along the whole section of the river and whether there is interchange with birds on Lake Poopó⁷. Identify areas with large numbers of breeding territories, good breeding habitat and minimal fishing nets and investigate possibility of designating these as net-free harvest refugia for Orestias spp⁵. Study potential effects of organic and inorganic waste on the species and lake ecosystem⁹. Develop plans to mitigate current and future diversions of water bodies such as Lakes Uru Uru and Poopó⁹. Assess genetic variability⁹. Study effects of increased tourism and if necessary develop a management plan to reduce disturbance from tourist boats⁹.

References 1. O'Donnell and Fjeldså (1997). 2. Engblom et al. (2001). 3. G. Engblom in litt. (2003). 4. J. Fjeldså in litt. (2003). 5. Martinez et al. (2006). 6. B. Hennessey in litt. (2005).7. Konter (2006). 8. Asociación Armonia (2007). 9. H. Aranibar-Rojas in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors Hugo Aranibar-Rojas, Gunnar Engblom (Kolibri Expeditions), Jon Fjeldså (University of Copenhagen), A. Bennett Hennessey (Asociación Armonía)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Rollandia microptera. 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.

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

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums