Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe
EN

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe

Attagis gayi

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous-bellied_seedsnipe

Overview

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

The Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock in high-altitude grasslands and páramo ecosystems. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes have fragmented critical breeding and foraging areas. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the composition of alpine plant communities that the species depends on for food, while also pushing suitable habitat to higher elevations with limited available space.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe inhabits high-altitude grasslands, páramo, and puna ecosystems in the Andes Mountains, typically found between 3,000-4,500 meters elevation. It prefers open, rocky terrain with scattered vegetation including bunch grasses and cushion plants, often near wetlands or boggy areas.

Threatened in Argentina

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Achala Escuerzo-Frog

Odontophrynus achalensis

Declining
CR

Trichomycterus ramosus

Unknown
CR

Rio Treefrog

Boana claresignata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe classified as Endangered?
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock in high-altitude grasslands and páramo ecosystems. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes have fragmented critical breeding and foraging areas. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the composition of alpine plant communities that the species depends on for food, while also pushing suitable habitat to higher elevations with limited available space.
Where does Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe live?
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Nigeria (plus 1 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe?
The main threats to Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe 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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