Rufous Piha
VU

Rufous Piha

Lipaugus unirufus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous_piha

Overview

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

The Rufous Piha faces severe pressure from widespread deforestation across its Amazonian range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and agriculture fragmenting the continuous forest canopy it requires. Mining activities and infrastructure development further degrade its lowland rainforest habitat, while the species' dependence on large, intact forest areas makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects from fragmentation.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Rufous Piha inhabits the canopy and mid-story of lowland tropical rainforests across the Amazon Basin, preferring primary forest with dense canopy cover. It occurs from sea level to approximately 500 meters elevation, requiring large tracts of continuous forest for foraging and breeding.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Rufous Piha classified as Vulnerable?
Rufous Piha 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. The Rufous Piha faces severe pressure from widespread deforestation across its Amazonian range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and agriculture fragmenting the continuous forest canopy it requires. Mining activities and infrastructure development further degrade its lowland rainforest habitat, while the species' dependence on large, intact forest areas makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects from fragmentation.
Where does Rufous Piha live?
Rufous Piha occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rufous Piha?
The main threats to Rufous Piha 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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