Distribution, behavior, and conservation status of the Rufous Twistwing (Cnipodectes superrufus)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Distribution, behavior, and conservation status of the Rufous Twistwing (Cnipodectes superrufus)

AU - Tobias, Joseph A.

AU - Lebbin, Daniel J.

AU - Aleixo, Alexandre

AU - Andersen, Michael J.

AU - Guilherme, Edson

AU - Hosner, Peter A.

AU - Seddon, Nathalie

PY - 2008/3/1

Y1 - 2008/3/1

N2 - The Rufous Twistwing (Cnipodectes superrufus), a newly described Amazonian tyrant-flycatcher, is known from five specimens and five localities in Cuzco and western Madre de Dios departments, Peru. We report three additional specimens and eight new localities extending the known range of the species east across Dpto. Madre de Dios, Peru, into Dpto. Pando, Bolivia, and Acre State, Brazil. The new localities increase the distribution from ∼3,400 to ∼89,000 km2. We collected biometric data from five individuals, made behavioral observations in the field, and recorded three separate types of vocalizations, two of which (including the song) were previously unknown. We provide quantitative description of these vocalizations, consider their function, and compare them with vocalizations of the only known congener, the Brownish Twistwing (Cnipodectes subbrunneus). Unique vocal repertoires support the classification of these two forms as sister species. The Rufous Twistwing resembles the Brownish Twistwing in producing loud vocalizations from regular song posts and both species appear to have a polygamous mating system. We provide further evidence consistent with the hypothesis the Rufous Twistwing is a Guadua bamboo specialist and recommend that it be listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

AB - The Rufous Twistwing (Cnipodectes superrufus), a newly described Amazonian tyrant-flycatcher, is known from five specimens and five localities in Cuzco and western Madre de Dios departments, Peru. We report three additional specimens and eight new localities extending the known range of the species east across Dpto. Madre de Dios, Peru, into Dpto. Pando, Bolivia, and Acre State, Brazil. The new localities increase the distribution from ∼3,400 to ∼89,000 km2. We collected biometric data from five individuals, made behavioral observations in the field, and recorded three separate types of vocalizations, two of which (including the song) were previously unknown. We provide quantitative description of these vocalizations, consider their function, and compare them with vocalizations of the only known congener, the Brownish Twistwing (Cnipodectes subbrunneus). Unique vocal repertoires support the classification of these two forms as sister species. The Rufous Twistwing resembles the Brownish Twistwing in producing loud vocalizations from regular song posts and both species appear to have a polygamous mating system. We provide further evidence consistent with the hypothesis the Rufous Twistwing is a Guadua bamboo specialist and recommend that it be listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=41349104300&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1676/06-088.1

DO - 10.1676/06-088.1

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:41349104300

SN - 1559-4491

VL - 120

SP - 38

EP - 49

JO - Wilson Journal of Ornithology

JF - Wilson Journal of Ornithology

IS - 1

ER -