Justification An ongoing rapid reduction in available habitat has resulted in this species now having a small population and qualifying as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Tinamidae

Species name author (Temminck, 1815)

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

Identification 13-16 cm. Plump, but minute, short-legged tinamou. Generally pale buffy-brown with some barring and streaking. Dark centre of crown. Breast and sides of belly pale buff with irregular dark barring. Pale throat, buffy centre of belly. Female more boldly marked and darker, with whiter belly. Different plumage morphs may occur. Similar spp. Lesser Nothura Nothura minor is larger, longer-necked and more heavily barred. Voice High-pitched and nasal, cricket-like trill followed by peet notes.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

57,700 km²

No

Range & population Taoniscus nanus is currently restricted to the Cerrado region of central and south-east Brazil in Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo and formerly Paraná. The type-specimen was collected in Misiones, Paraguay, and two specimens were taken in Argentina (one in 1901 and the other, possibly in the same year⁷, from near the río Bermejo in either Chaco or Formosa), but there have been no further records from either country. There are historical reports of small flocks, but the few recent records are from scattered areas and have mostly involved singles or pairs⁸. However, up to four calling birds have been found in c.2 ha⁸ and, with knowledge of its voice, it may prove to be more widespread.

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

Ecology: It inhabits 'campo limpo' grasslands with scattered shrubs, including scrubby fields or campo sujo⁸. The specimens from Paraguay and Argentina were collected in scrub grasslands⁷. It has been reported taking invertebrate prey, including termites, and feeding on Graminae seeds⁸. A pair in captivity laid three eggs⁸.

Threats High-quality cerrado grasslands are being rapidly destroyed by mechanised agriculture, intensive cattle-ranching, afforestation, invasive grasses, excessive use of pesticides and annual burning^6,10. By 1993, two-thirds of the Cerrado region had been heavily or moderately altered³, with most of the destruction having occurred since 1950¹. Since the species can only cover c.50 m in flight⁸, it is presumably susceptible to fast-moving fires, and is unlikely to disperse between isolated habitat fragments.

Conservation measures underway It is known from three protected areas: Serra da Canastra National Park, Itapetininga Experimental Station and the IBGE Roncador Biological Reserve. Several areas adjacent to the río Bermejo, Argentina, have been surveyed with the aid of tape-playback, but the species has not been found^2,5.

Conservation measures proposed Survey Serra do Cipó, Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks specifically for this species with the aid of tape-playback⁹. Conduct further surveys in Argentina and Paraguay in the areas where it was collected⁷. Assess abundance in protected areas. Assess precise ecological requirements. Determine best management practices for existing protected areas. Control the burning of cerrado habitats⁴.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Cavalcanti (1999). 2. J. C. Chebez in litt. (1999). 3. Conservation International (1999). 4. Machado et al. (1998). 5. J. Mazar Barnett in litt. (1999). 6. Parker and Willis (1997). 7. M. Pearman in litt. (1999). 8. Silveira and Silveira (1998). 9. L. F. Silveira in litt. (1999, 2007). 10. Stotz et al. (1996).

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 Rob P Clay (Guyra Paraguay), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors J. C. Chebez, Juan Mazar Barnett (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Mark Pearman, Luís Fábio Silveira (University of São Paulo)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Taoniscus nanus. 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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