Conservation and Management

Apurimac Spinetail is currently classified as Vulnerable by BirdLife International (2008) because it was estimated to have a global population estimated at between 600-800 mature individuals restricted to Santuario Nacional Ampay in south-central Peru. It is described as ‘Medium Conservation Priority’ by Parker et al. (1996). Found only within the Peruvian High Andes Endemic Bird Area 051 (Stattersfield et al. 1998) it has now been found at several areas outside the sanctuary (see also Distribution). Along the upper section of road to Huanipaca the species is commonly encountered inhabiting a highly fragmented cloud forest landscape dominated by agriculture (Lloyd and Walker unpublished data) indicating that the species may be tolerant, to a degree, of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation. The species’ population size and extent of occurrence are now considerably larger than previously thought and it may warrant down-listing to Near-Threatened (Lloyd unpublished data, BirdLife International 2008). However, no quantitative data are available to determine whether its population is stable or in decline, and therefore merits this change in conservation status.

Anthropogenic activity has severely cleared and fragmented the habitat throughout its narrow geographic range.