Species

Justification
This species is listed as Near Threatened, as it was thought to have a moderately small and fragmented range, and it is likely to be declining owing to habitat loss. However, recent surveys suggest that it may be more widely distributed than previously thought, so it may qualify for downlisting to Least Concern.

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.

Distribution and population
Embernagra longicauda on the Serra do Espinhaco of east Brazil (interior central Bahia and Minas Gerais) (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Stattersfield et al. 1998). It was also recently discovered in some isolated ranges in the surrounding region, including Serra da Mombuca, Minas Gerais and Serra do Caparo, Espirito Santo (Vasconcelos et al. 2003). It could be more widespread in surrounding ranges than previously thought (Vasconcelos et al. 2003).

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996).

Trend justification
Slow declines are suspected to be occurring, as agricultural development is likely to be causing habitat loss in parts of the range.

Ecology
This species inhabits campo grasslands at 1,300-2,100 m, although little is known of its ecology. It occurs locally in arid montane scrub, dry savanna and agricultural land with scattered palms and ground bromeliads.

Threats
Much of its range was colonised when diamonds and gold were found in this region in the 19th century, and small operations persist. Quartz crystals and manganese are also mined. Increasing conversion of land for cattle ranching is presumably the principal current threat (WWF/IUCN 1997, Stattersfield et al. 1998), but deforestation may be permitting it to expand its range southward (Machado et al. 1998).

Conservation actions underway
None is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Survey other montane ranges in surrounding parts of southern and eastern Brazil in order to determine the full extent of the range. Conduct ecological studies to determine habitat requirements and the extent of tolerance of agricultural habitat. Protect areas of suitable habitat.

References
Ridgely, R. S.; Tudor, G. 1989. The birds of South America. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.

Stattersfield, A. J.; Crosby, M. J.; Long, A. J.; Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic bird areas of the world: priorities for bird conservation. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

WWF/IUCN. 1997. Centres of plant diversity: the Americas. IUCN, Cambridge, UK.

Machado, A. B. M.; da Fonseca, G. A. B.; Machado, R. B.; Aguiar, L. M. De S.; Lins, L. V. 1998. Livro Vermelho: das espécies ameaçadas de extinça1o da fauna de Minas Gerais. Fundaça1o Biodiversitas, Belo Horizonte.

Ferreira de Vasconcelos, M; Maldonado-Coelho, M; Renato, D; Buzzetti, C. 2003. Range extensions for the Gray-backed Tachuri (Polystictus superciliaris) and the pale-throated Serra-finch (Embernagra longicauda) with a revision on their geographic distribution. . Ornitologia Neotropical 14(4): 477-489.

Further web sources of information
Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

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

Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Gilroy, J., Sharpe, C J

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Embernagra longicauda. 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.