Western Antvireo
VU

Western Antvireo

Dysithamnus occidentalis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Western Antvireo faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation across its limited range in the Chocó bioregion of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Mining activities, particularly gold extraction, have accelerated habitat destruction in recent decades, while agricultural expansion for palm oil and cattle ranching continues to fragment remaining forest patches. The species' dependence on intact understory vegetation makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects and forest degradation.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Western Antvireo inhabits the understory and middle levels of humid lowland and foothill forests in the Chocó bioregion. It prefers dense, primary forest with thick understory vegetation, typically found at elevations from sea level to 1,200 meters.

Other threatened species in Thamnophilidae

Ocellated AntbirdEN

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

Unknown
Stub-tailed AntbirdVU

Stub-tailed Antbird

Myrmeciza berlepschi

Unknown
Spiny-faced AntshrikeVU

Spiny-faced Antshrike

Xenornis setifrons

Unknown
White-streaked AntvireoVU

White-streaked Antvireo

Dysithamnus leucostictus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Western Antvireo classified as Vulnerable?
Western Antvireo 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 Western Antvireo faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation across its limited range in the Chocó bioregion of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Mining activities, particularly gold extraction, have accelerated habitat destruction in recent decades, while agricultural expansion for palm oil and cattle ranching continues to fragment remaining forest patches. The species' dependence on intact understory vegetation makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects and forest degradation.
Where does Western Antvireo live?
Western Antvireo 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 Western Antvireo?
The main threats to Western Antvireo 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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