Justification This species is confined to three distinct areas. Habitat loss is continuing throughout this very small range, and populations in two of these areas appear to be declining. Together, these factors qualify the species as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Emberizidae

Species name author Barbour & Peters, 1927

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

Identification 16.5 cm. Plump, grey-and-yellow sparrow. Upperparts olive-grey with dark reddish-brown crown, throat white bordered by dark moustachial stripe, rest of underparts pale yellow. Immature darker and lacks reddish-brown crown. Wings short and rounded. Voice Call, short, metallic high-pitched trill at intervals tziii-tzziii-tzziii ... and quiet tic-tic-tic. In breeding season, rasping series of long, high-pitched notes tzi, tzi, tziii-tzzii, zu, zu, zu ... ending on a deeper note. Pairs duet.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

4,300 km²

Yes

Range & population Torreornis inexpectata occurs in three distinct populations in Cuba: the nominate race has a stable population^1,5 of more than 250 birds in a small area of the Zapata Swamp; race varonai is numerous within its very restricted range on Cayo Coco in the Camagüey Archipelago; and race sigmani, restricted to a small stretch of the south-east coast in Guantánamo, was thought to number only 110-200 individuals, but has recently found to have a slightly larger range and may number 600-700 indiviudals⁶.

Ecology: The nominate race inhabits scrub grassland as well as xerophytic coastal vegetation and mangroves¹. The race varonai occurs in semi-deciduous forest, coastal xerophytic thorn-scrub and mangrove, and the race sigmani inhabits dry scrub. Birds are usually seen in pairs or groups of three, but are occasionally also in larger groups of 10-12⁴. During the dry season, it appears to feed primarily on seeds and flowers, but takes insects, spiders, snails and their eggs and even small lizards in the wet season⁴. The nest is constructed in a tussock, and the breeding season is March-June.

Threats Drainage and dry-season burning affect habitat in the Zapata Swamp. Cayo Coco is under development for tourism. Burning of habitat, subsequent grass invasion and fencing for sheep-rearing threaten the population on the Guantánamo coast.

Conservation measures underway Each of the three subspecies has been recorded in a protected area, but none receives de facto protection³. The British Birdwatching Fair funded surveys of the eastern race inexpecta that revised the population estimate upwards significantly.

Conservation measures proposed Continue to survey to define the range and population of each subspecies, particularly investigate areas of apprantly suitable habitat to the east of the known range of inexpecta⁶. Ensure the de facto protection of existing reserves³. Investigate the extent of proposed developments and take mitigating measures³. Develop a scheme whereby farming and conservation of the species are compatible.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. E. Abreu in litt. (1999). 2. AOU (1998). 3. A. Mitchell in litt. (1998). 4. Raffaele et al. (1998). 5. Wells and Mitchell (1995). 6. Kirkconnell and Suarez (2005).

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 Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors Andy Mitchell

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Torreornis inexpectata. 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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