Species

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Justification
This species has an extremely small range confined to mixed tree-fern forest on one small island, where recent surveys have shown it to have an extremely small population which may be declining. It is therefore listed as Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic source(s)
SACC. 2006. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html.
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.
Stotz, D. F.; Fitzpatrick, J. W.; Parker, T. A.; Moskovits, D. K. 1996. Neotropical birds: ecology and conservation. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

Identification
16 cm. Small, distinctive furnariid. Generally dull greyish-buff. Dusky brown crown and auriculars. Dull buff throat and eyebrow. Blackish wings with two cinnamon-buff bars across remiges. Black tail with pale rufous central feathers and broad tip to outer rectrices. Slender bill. Voice Often delivers churring trrrt call.

Distribution and population
Aphrastura masafuerae is endemic to Alejandro Selkirk (Más Afuera) in the Juan Fernández Islands, Chile. The population was estimated at c.500 individuals in the mid-1980s (Brooke 1988). Its size is now uncertain, with estimates in 2002 (I. Hahn, P. Hodum and M. Wainstein in litt. 2003) and 2011 (I. Hahn in litt. 2012) both putting the population at c.140 individuals (representing a 72% decline since the 1980s), but survey work in between (2006-2007) estimating a population similar to the c.500 individuals estimated 20 years previously (Tomasevic et al. 2010).


Population justification
The current population size is uncertain, with some survey techniques yielding estimates of c.140 individuals (I. Hahn in litt. 2012), with others giving estimates closer to 500 individuals. It is precautionarily placed in the band 50-249 mature individuals, which equates to 75-374 individuals in total, rounded here to 70-400 individuals.

Trend justification
The species seems to have shown a rapid decline between the mid-1980s and early 2000s, but seems to have stabilised at around 140 individuals since then (I. Hahn in litt. 2012).


Ecology
This gleaning insectivore is found primarily in Dicksonia externa fern forest, and has a strong association with canelo Drimys confertifolia, an endemic species of tree. It also regularly occurs in Lophosauria quadripinnata dominated slopes in the upper elevations of the island (P. Hodum in litt. 2012). It is most common along stream courses where luxuriant Dicksonia grows to a height of 5 m. There are records at elevations as low as 600 m, but it occurs primarily at 800-1,300 m in the austral summer (Hahn and Römer 1996). The species has a minimum territory size of 4 ha per pair in optimal habitat, although most are larger due to poorer habitat quality, and it nests in natural and man-made cavities, particularly in small natural holes in steep rocks (Hahn et al. 2004, P. Hodum in litt. 2007, 2008, Hahn et al. 2010). Nesting occurs from early December until late January (Hahn et al. 2004) and fledglings have been noted in January and February (P. Hodum in litt. 2006, 2012). Only four natural nests have ever been found (Hahn et al. 2010), but three complete and four incomplete nests were constructed in nest boxes (Tomasevic et al. 2010). All known nest sites have shown a strong association with canelo (Hahn et al. 2010, Tomasevic et al. 2010). The nests found in nest boxes had a supporting structure of canelo and tree-fern Dicksonia externa rootlets and a soft cup of petrel (Pterodroma externa and P. longirostris) feathers (Tomasevic et al. 2010). Adults fed nestlings with arthropod prey, particularly lepidopteran larvae (Hahn et al. 2010). It is typically skulking and found in pairs, or family groups during the summer months (P. Hodum in litt. 2012).


Threats
It is probably secure as long as mature tracts of the ferns Dicksonia and Lophosauria remain intact, but a large proportion of natural vegetation on the island has been degraded and fragmented by goat-trampling, fire and timber-cutting (I. Hahn in litt. 2004, Hahn et al. 2004, Anon. 2007). Mature trees are important for foraging, roosting and probably provision of nesting cavities (P. Hodum in litt. 2007, 2008, 2012). Introduced mammalian predators are thought to have a significant impact on the population, with rats (Rattus spp.) and possibly mice (Mus musculus) impacting on brood survival, and feral cats impacting on juvenile and adult survival (Hahn and Römer 2002, Tomasevic et al. 2010). Significantly, it is absent from the lowlands, where the forest understorey has already been destroyed. An unusual increase of native Red-backed Hawk Buteo polyosoma during the last decade, as illegal hunting of this species by fishermen has ceased and the hawk population has benefited from preying upon introduced mammals (Hahn et al. 2004), may have contributed modestly to any recent declines, with several cases noted of hawks preying on rayaditos (I. Hahn in litt. 2004, Hahn et al. 2004). Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is also potentially susceptible to climate change (BirdLife International unpubl. data).

Conservation actions underway
The Juan Fernández Islands were designated as a national park in 1935 (protected from 1967) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. Sheep were removed from the island in 1983 (Carboneras 1992d). A goat control programme was undertaken from 1998-2003 but has only continued on a sporadic basis since (P. Hodum in litt. 2007, 2008). The Chilean government began a habitat restoration programme in 1997 (J. C. Torres-Mura in litt. 1999), but that effort concluded in 2003. The islands have been nominated for World Heritage listing (Hulm 1995). There is one ranger posted on Alejandro Selkirk (J. C. Torres-Mura in litt. 1999), but there are plans to begin having two rangers working on the island. Eighty-one nest boxes were installed in a variety of habitats in 2006 (P. Hodum in litt. 2006), with at least three having been used during the 2006-2007 breeding season. Other monitoring work is ongoing and efforts continue to improve current population estimates and knowledge of the species's ecology and habitat requirements, to quantify threats and to develop a conservation plan for the species (P. Hodum in litt. 2006). Educational materials including posters and community talks have been produced by Juan Fernández Islands Conservancy and Oikonos (P. Hodum in litt. 2007, 2008, 2012).

Conservation actions proposed
Eradicate goats from Alejandro Selkirk. Establish a continuous monitoring scheme of the species's population and its reproductive success (Hahn and Römer 2002). Study the species to gain a better understanding of its reproductive biology (I. Hahn in litt. 2012). Compare with the ecological requirements of Thorn-tailed Rayadito A. spinicauda on the mainland, and other Juan Fernández Islands endemics to develop management strategies (Hahn et al. 2004). Eradicate feral cats and rats from the island (this action has the potential to benefit all bird species breeding on the island). Eradication of introduced is the highest priority conservation action for Alexander Selkirk Island as it is critical to ensure the persistence of multiple endemic species and subspecies, including rayaditos and petrels. Continue educational programmes to increase awareness of the species, both in the islands and more broadly to the general public. Extend control programme and fully eradicate three important invasive plant species: murtilla Ugni molinae, elm-leaf blackberry Rubus ulmifolius and maqui Aristotelia chilensis (unlike on Robinson Crusoe, the populations of these three species are still quite manageable on Alejandro Selkirk and could realistically be eradicated). Establish canelo Drimys confertifolia seedlings and increase the area covered by canelo trees. Use nest boxes to increase the availability of nesting sites (Tomasevic et al. 2010).

References
Brooke, M. de L. 1988. Distribution and numbers of the Masafuera Rayadito Aphrastura masafuerae on Isla Alejandro Selkirk, Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 108: 4-9.

Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.

Carboneras, C. 1992. Procellariidae (Petrels and Shearwaters). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 216-257. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Hulm, P. 1995. Robinson Crusoe's Islands face an uncertain future. Plant Talk: 19-21.

Hahn, I.; Römer, U. 1996. New observations of the Masafuera Rayadito Aphrastura masafuerae. Cotinga: 17-19.

Hahn, I. 1998. Untersuchungen zur Ökologie und zum Lebensraum der Landvogelgemeinschaften des Juan Fernández-Archipels (Chile). Thesis. Dissertation, Institute of Landscape Ecology, Münster.

Hahn, I.; Römer, U. 2002. Threatened avifauna of the Juan Fernández archipelago, Chile: the impact of introduced mammals and conservation priorities. Cotinga 17: 66-72.

Hahn, I.; Römer, U.; Vergara, P M.. 2010. Conserving Chile’s most critically endangered bird species: First data on foraging, feeding, and food items of the Másafuera Rayadito (Aves: Furnariidae). Vertebrate Zoology 60(3): 233-242.

Anon. 2007. Species profile: Masafuera Rayadito. Critically endangered island endemic. Bird Conservation: 24.

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.

Click here for more information about the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Bird, J., Capper, D., Harding, M., Khwaja, N., Pople, R., Sharpe, C J, Symes, A.

Contributors
Brooke, M., Hahn, I., Hodum, P., Torres-Mura, J., Wainstein, M., Wallace, G.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Aphrastura masafuerae. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.

Additional resources for this species

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