Bolivian Recurvebill (Simoxenops striatus)
Justification There are recent records from just six locations, and the population and range are presumably declining in response to habitat loss. Numbers of this apparently rare bird are suspected to be small, and each subpopulation within its patchy distribution may be very small. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable but further surveys may find additional subpopulations resulting in a downlisting to Near Threatened.
Identification 19 cm. Large-billed furnariid. Dark rufous-brown head, upperparts and wings, with buff eye brow and prominent buff streaking on head, neck and back. Underparts buffy-rufous. Bright rufous tail. Upturned bill. Similiar spp. Other similar arboreal furnariids have different bill-shapes. Voice Harsh, accelerating and slightly rising rattle lasting 2-3 seconds
Range & Population Simoxenops striatus is restricted to the Yungas (east Andean foothills) of La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, central and west Bolivia. Only eight sites are known and, despite recent records indicating that it is not as rare as previously thought, the overall population must be small. A large and stable population is presumed to occur in AmboróNational Park, where at least four (including a territorial pair) were found in a 0.5 km2 area in 1992, and four further observations were made in 1995
Ecology It inhabits foothill evergreen forests, favouring dense tangled undergrowth and vine-tangles at middle levels, but it has once been recorded in bamboo forest and once in semi-deciduous forest. It is known from a narrow elevational zone at 650-1,300 m .
Threats It is threatened by deforestation within its small geographic and elevational range, especially in La Paz and Cochabamba. Its preferred forest habitat is more accessible and easier to burn than true montane forest, and the soils are suited to domestic agriculture and the cultivation of cash crops. Consequently, the region is a favoured target for colonists from the altiplano, and encroachment into protected areas is occurring. Exploration for natural resources is undertaken in Bolivia's national parks making mining a potential future threat. Nevertheless, vast amounts of pristine forest remain in inaccessible areas within the species's elevational range, though it may be excluded by the harsh climate in some of these areas.
Action It occurs in PilLajas Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory, La Paz, Carrasco National Park, Cochabamba and AmboróNational Park, Santa Cruz, and is predicted to occur in Madidi National Park, La Paz.
