Justification This species qualifies as Near Threatened as it has a small population which is suspected to be declining owing to habitat loss, hunting and trade and approaches the threshold for classification as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Cracidae

Species name author Gray, 1867

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

Identification 42-46 cm. A small uniform chachalaca. Upperparts brown, underparts pale creamy brown, head with noticeable buff supercilium and red dewlap, tail with rufous outer webs to outer retricies. Similar spp. The only chachalaca with a supercilium. Voice Unreported but presumably similar to other species of chachalaca. Hints Probably best found by voice.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000

unset

389,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Ortalis superciliaris is found in north-east Pará, north Tocantins, Maranhão and west Piauí, south of the Amazon in north Brazil^1,2,3. It is apparently relatively common around Belém, in Pará, and scarce in the São Luís area of north Maranhão¹, but rare elsewhere.

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

Ecology: It inhabits lowland deciduous forest, humid forest edge and scrub thickets. Breeding is from December-February.

Threats Primary threats are habitat destruction and fragmentation, heavy hunting pressure and trade, all of which suggest that it is declining³.

Conservation measures proposed Develop awareness-raising campaigns to reduce hunting pressure. Effectively protect remaining lowland forest sites. Survey known sites and monitor population trends.

References 1. del Hoyo (1994). 2. Stotz et al. (1996). 3. Strahl et al. (1994).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Ortalis superciliaris. 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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