Spot-billed Ground-tyrant
EN

Spot-billed Ground-tyrant

Muscisaxicola maculirostris

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Spot-billed Ground-tyrant faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock in its high-altitude grassland habitats. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes have fragmented its already limited range, while climate change is pushing suitable habitat to higher elevations where less area is available. The species' specialized requirements for short-grass puna habitats make it particularly vulnerable to these anthropogenic pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits high-altitude puna grasslands and short-grass steppes in the Andes, typically between 3,500-4,500 meters elevation. It prefers open, sparsely vegetated terrain with scattered rocks and low shrubs, often near wetlands or seasonal water sources.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Tyrannidae

Rufous CasiornisVU

Rufous Casiornis

Casiornis rufus

Unknown
Fork-tailed Tody-tyrantVU

Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant

Hemitriccus furcatus

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Subtropical DoraditoVU

Subtropical Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis

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Foothill ElaeniaVU

Foothill Elaenia

Myiopagis olallai

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spot-billed Ground-tyrant classified as Endangered?
Spot-billed Ground-tyrant 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 Spot-billed Ground-tyrant faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock in its high-altitude grassland habitats. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes have fragmented its already limited range, while climate change is pushing suitable habitat to higher elevations where less area is available. The species' specialized requirements for short-grass puna habitats make it particularly vulnerable to these anthropogenic pressures.
Where does Spot-billed Ground-tyrant live?
Spot-billed Ground-tyrant 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 Spot-billed Ground-tyrant?
The main threats to Spot-billed Ground-tyrant 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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