VU

Atlantic Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus swainsoni

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Swainson's Royal Flycatcher faces severe pressure from accelerating deforestation across its Amazonian range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and soy cultivation fragmenting the continuous forest canopy it requires for foraging. The species' dependence on mature lowland rainforest makes it particularly vulnerable to logging operations that remove the large trees essential for its aerial insect-hunting behavior. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and insect abundance in its specialized riparian forest habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Swainson's Royal Flycatcher inhabits the understory and middle canopy of mature lowland rainforests, showing strong preference for areas near streams and forest edges where insect prey is abundant. The species requires continuous forest cover with large trees that provide suitable perches for its aerial foraging strategy.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Atlantic Royal Flycatcher classified as Vulnerable?
Atlantic Royal Flycatcher is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Swainson's Royal Flycatcher faces severe pressure from accelerating deforestation across its Amazonian range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and soy cultivation fragmenting the continuous forest canopy it requires for foraging. The species' dependence on mature lowland rainforest makes it particularly vulnerable to logging operations that remove the large trees essential for its aerial insect-hunting behavior. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and insect abundance in its specialized riparian forest habitats.
Where does Atlantic Royal Flycatcher live?
Atlantic Royal Flycatcher occurs in Brazil, Mauritius, and Paraguay. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Atlantic Royal Flycatcher?
The main threats to Atlantic Royal Flycatcher are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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