Justification This species has been extirpated from several areas. It is listed as Critically Endangered because the population is now extremely small and decreasing because of continuing illegal hunting and habitat loss.

Family/Sub-family Cracidae

Species name author (Jacquin, 1784)

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

Synonyms Aburria pipile Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 69 cm. Medium-sized, black-and-white cracid. Mostly blackish-brown with faint purplish gloss. Extensive white tips to wing-coverts. Mainly dark crest with whitish streaking. Pale blue cere and basal part of bill. Darker blue dewlap. Red legs. Similar spp. Only cracid on Trinidad. Voice Thin piping. In display makes rattling whirr with wings.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

70 - 200

decreasing

260 km²

Yes

Range & population Pipile pipile is endemic to Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago), where it was once abundant throughout the Northern Range and the southern Trinity Hills, and also occurred in lowland areas such as the Nariva Swamp and Aripo Savannas². It is now extinct in the lowlands, and almost certainly extinct in the Trinity Hills (surveys have failed to find the species since 1994, although there is one credible report from Victoria Mayaro reserve in 2000) and the western end of the Northern Range, east to the Arima-Blanchisseuse road^1,2,3. The only extant population is in the eastern portion of the Northern Range, where just c.150 km² of suitable habitat remains. The population is estimated at 70-200 individuals, but is probably closer to 200^1,2.

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

Ecology: It feeds on fruits in the canopy of remote lower and upper montane rainforest, preferring steep, hilly areas with numerous streams, sparse ground-cover, a closed canopy and abundant lianas and epiphytes², and is known from elevations of 10-900 m². It is known from secondary vegetation and cultivated land near to primary forest, and formerly occurred in semi-evergreen forest^1,2; it seems to tolerate humans as long as canopy trees are available and it is not hunted². Very little is known about its breeding, but breeding seems to take place in most months and two eggs are laid. It feeds mainly on fruits, but also eats flowers and leaves².

Threats Illegal hunting and, to a lesser extent, habitat destruction through timber extraction and conversion to plantation agriculture are the chief causes of this species's decline². It does not appear to be overly susceptible to human disturbance per se⁵.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I. It has been legally protected since 1963. There were conservation and education campaigns in the 1980s, but new initiatives in 1997-1998 appear to be finally changing attitudes^2,3. Much of the present range is within forest reserves and state forests, but the laws protecting both species and areas are generally not enforced. Matura National Park protects a large area of suitable forest but there is limited law enforcement at the site. There are plans to use radio-telemetry to learn more about the species's biology^1,2. Species-specific ecotourism is having a positive effect in the Grande Riviere, providing financial support for local communities and developing a sense of collective responsibility¹. The Pawi study group may begin a captive breeding programme in the future⁴.

Conservation measures proposed Survey areas of historic occurrence to determine its status in these areas. Monitor the population in areas of known occupancy. Determine ecological requirements and breeding biology. Enforce the protection of current forest reserves. Formally establish the Matura National Park. Develop further education/public awareness campaigns, in particular working with hunters, to ensure the success of site protection. Study its ecological requirements using radio telemetry. Investigate the potential risk to the remaining population from disease/parasites⁶. Assess feasibility of captive breeding and begin a programme if appropriate⁶.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. R. Ffrench in litt. (1998). 2. F. E. Hayes in litt. (1998, 1999, 2008). 3. S. Poon in litt. (1998). 4. G. White in litt. (2007). 5. Alexander (2002). 6. Hirschfeld (2008).

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.

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 Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors Richard Ffrench, Floyd E. Hayes (University of the West Indies), Carol James (Guardian Life Wildlife Trust), Howard Nelson (Pawi Study Group), S. Poon, Graham White

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pipile pipile. 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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