Justification The combination of increased rates of habitat loss and more intense trapping pressures within this species's range in Paraguay and Brazil mean that its population is likely to have been undergoing rapid declines. For these reasons the species qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Cotingidae

Species name author (Vieillot, 1817)

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

Identification 26-28 cm. A striking white forest bird. Male is all white with bare skin around eyes, throat and lower neck, turquoise with inconspicuous black bristles. The smaller female is olive above with blackish crown and sides of head. Throat narrowly streaked white. Pale yellowish underparts coarsely streaked with olive. Similar spp. Male unmistakable in range. Female is larger than the Sharpbill Oxyruncus cristatus which has a conical bill and a characteristic scaly effect on face. Female Bearded Bellbird P. averano is very similar with a less dusky crown. Voice Loud and far carrying series of metallic koínk calls and a loud prróink. Hints The obvious call gives away its presence but is nevertheless hard to locate. Can be found at favoured fruiting trees.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

1,470,000 km²

No

Range & population Procnias nudicollis is known from a wide area of east Brazil (Alagoas south to Rio Grande do Sul and inland to south Mato Grosso), north-east Argentina (Misiones, with one record in Corrientes) and east Paraguay (west to Concepción)^1,7,8. The species is considered extinct from remnant forest patches of north-eastern Brazil north of the São Francisco river, where it was formerly known from the Murici area¹¹. It is locally relatively common in Brazil¹¹ and Paraguay (especially in Canindeyú, San Pedro, and Amambay)¹⁵, but rare in Argentina¹⁴, in the canopy and borders of Atlantic forest up to 1,000 m. The species is believed to be migratory in south-east Brazil, although its migratory patterns are poorly-known and likely to be complex. Similarly, records in Misiones, Argentina, suggest that it is only transient in this country⁶. Only in north-eastern Paraguay is the species believed to be resident⁶, where it is locally common at a few isolated sites.

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

Ecology: Where migratory Procnias nudicollis probably follows a complex migration route that may be linked to fruit production, with males calling, and thus apparently acting territorially, en route^3,6,8. The only records of multiple individuals from Argentina were in September, in forest with Euterpe edulis and Aspidosperma polyneuron, a habitat where the species is also found in Paraguay¹⁵.

Threats The population has unquestionably declined owing to deforestation and heavy trapping pressure for the cage-bird trade, particularly in Brazil^2,8,9,10. Trapping pressure may be particularly heavy in southern Bahia, São Paulo and Santa Catarina and the population size is therefore difficult to assess in these areas¹¹. Numerous individuals were seen in cages between Serra das Lontras and Una Biological Reserve, southern Bahia¹³. In north-east Paraguay deforestation was 20% between 1997 and 2001, and appears to be continuing at a similar rate. The Paraguayan population is also coming under increasing pressure from trapping (historically a localised threat), with both males and females readily available in Asunción every year. Agricultural conversion and deforestation for mining and plantation production historically threatened its habitat⁵. Current key threats are urbanisation, industrialisation, agricultural expansion, colonisation and associated road-building⁴.

Conservation measures underway It has been recorded in Iguazú National Park, Misiones, Argentina¹², but birds may only occur there on migration. In Paraguay, there are few protected areas with populations of this species¹⁵.

Conservation measures proposed Reduce trapping for the cage bird trade through monitoring and awareness campaigns. Evaluate status in Establecimiento San Jorge and neigbouring Iguazú National Park and Urugua-í Provincial Park, Misiones, Argentina, to determine whether the species occurs regularly or only passes through¹⁴. Protect sites in Paraguay where there are still populations of the species.

References 1. Bertonatti (1997). 2. Brooks et al. (1993). 3. Canevari et al. (1991). 4. Dinerstein et al. (1995). 5. Fearnside (1996). 6. Lowen et al. (1996). 7. Parker et al. (1996). 8. Ridgely and Tudor (1994). 9. Tobias et al. (1993). 10. M. Guimarães Diniz in litt. (2003). 11. F. Olmos in litt. (2003). 12. Herrera (undated). 13. A. C. De Luca in litt. (2007). 14. Bodrati and Cockle (2006). 15. A. Bodrati in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Alejandro Bodrati, Andre De Luca (SAVE Brasil), Pedro Develey (SAVE Brasil), Mauro Guimarães Diniz, Fabio Olmos

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Procnias nudicollis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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