Justification This formerly common species appears to have declined rapidly following a hurricane in 1988, with very few subsequent records, despite repeated surveys since then. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Mimidae

Species name author (Ridgway, 1885)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 23 cm. Brown-and-white bird with long, decurved bill. Rich chestnut-brown above with two white wing-bars. Greyish face with paler supercilium. White underparts heavily streaked black. Black bill and legs. Voice Complex scratchy warbling.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

decreasing

25 km²

Yes

Range & population Toxostoma guttatum is endemic to Cozumel Island, Mexico, where it was formerly fairly common to common¹. It became rare immediately after Hurricane Gilbert in September 1988^3,4,5, with only four records obtained during monthly visits to the island during August 1994-August 1995⁵. Only a few sightings have been recorded subsequently, the most recent being four observations of what is presumed to have been the same individual during extensive surveys in 2004 and a record from a different site during the same year⁸. The island suffered a devastating hurricane in 2005 but credible reports were made following this and plans are in place to confirm these sightings.

Ecology: Recent records originate from semi-deciduous forest and deciduous forest away from scrubby areas⁵. However, it was formerly reported to inhabit scrubby woodland and thick undergrowth bordering fields³, and the edges of tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forest^3,4. It is typically known to skulk on or near the ground, but often sings from conspicuous perches³. The breeding season is May-July⁴.

Threats Hurricane Gilbert appears to have had a severe effect on the species, whose status may have deteriorated further following Hurricanes Roxanne, Emily and Wilma between 1995 and 2006^5,8. Further hurricanes are likely because Cozumel lies within the area of Mexico most frequently hit by hurricanes⁶, and may extirpate any surviving, small populations. However, this seems an unsatisfactory explanation of its current rarity because it must have evolved with a relatively high hurricane frequency. The reasons behind its decline are poorly understood, but boa constrictors introduced in 1971 and introduced cats are the leading hypothesised threat⁸.

Conservation measures underway There have been several recent searches for the species^2,4,5, most recently in 2008, and efforts are ongoing to determine the remnant population size and distribution, and to evaluate the threats and reasons behind its decline⁹.

Conservation measures proposed Urgently survey in the breeding season (when it is most conspicuous) to determine whether the species is still extant and identify appropriate conservation measures. Investigate its former status and ecology through interviews with local people to ascertain the reasons for its decline. Conduct an awareness raising campaign to raise the profile of this species and educate visitors about the potential to damage the island's ecosystem⁹. Establish formal protection for interior lands on Cozumel⁹.

References 1. AOU (1998). 2. D. Brewer in litt. (1999). 3. Howell and Webb (1995a). 4. S. N. G. Howell in litt. (1998). 5. Macouzet and Escalante Pliego (2001). 6. Stattersfield et al. (1998). 7. P. Sweet in litt. (2003). 8. Curry et al. (2006). 9. Curry and Martínez-Gómez (2005).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Rob Pople (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors D Brewer, Steve Howell (Point Reyes Bird Observatory), Paul Sweet (American Museum of Natural History)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Toxostoma guttatum. 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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