Sharpbill
VU

Sharpbill

Oxyruncus cristatus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Sharpbill faces severe pressure from widespread deforestation across its Neotropical range, with habitat loss particularly acute in the Atlantic Forest and Amazonian regions where development and agricultural expansion fragment its preferred montane and submontane forest environments. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the temperature and precipitation patterns of the cloud forests and humid montane habitats this species depends upon. The bird's specialized feeding ecology and apparent sensitivity to forest disturbance make it particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Sharpbill inhabits humid montane and submontane forests, typically at elevations between 500-2,000 meters, favoring dense canopy environments with high epiphyte loads. It shows a preference for cloud forests and forest edges in mountainous regions across Central and South America, from Costa Rica through the Andes to southeastern Brazil.

Other threatened species in Cotingidae

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Rufous Piha

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Fiery-throated FruiteaterVU

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sharpbill classified as Vulnerable?
Sharpbill 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 Sharpbill faces severe pressure from widespread deforestation across its Neotropical range, with habitat loss particularly acute in the Atlantic Forest and Amazonian regions where development and agricultural expansion fragment its preferred montane and submontane forest environments. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the temperature and precipitation patterns of the cloud forests and humid montane habitats this species depends upon. The bird's specialized feeding ecology and apparent sensitivity to forest disturbance make it particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation.
Where does Sharpbill live?
Sharpbill 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 Sharpbill?
The main threats to Sharpbill 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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