The Peruvian Plantcutter, Phytotoma raimondii Taczanowski, 1883, is a restricted-range species endemic to coastal northern Peru. Historically its range is given from Tumbes in the extreme north-western Peru, south to the northern part of Lima Department. Although an increasing amount of information on the Peruvian Plantcutter exists, from historical records to new locations, it has remained dispersed, sometimes unverified, not systematized, and largely unpublished. A careful revision of museum collections as well as published and unpublished records results in a total of 53 sites where the species has been recorded and that represent the present knowledge of the distribution of the species.

The relict forests of the west slopes of the Andes of northern Peru and southern Ecuador form part of the Tumbesian Endemic Bird Area (characterized by dry forests) and at higher altitudes the Southern Central Andes Endemic Bird Area (characterized by cloud forests and paramo). The Tumbesian Region is recognized for its high level of endemic birds, many of which are threatened and also for the high level of deforestation and fragmentation of its natural habitats. This article presents an overview of the state of conservation of these birds and forests, with recommendations for improving the conservation of the last forests of the western slope.

The threatened Peruvian Plantcutter Phytotoma raimondii is a restricted-range species, endemic to the north coast of Peru. As a specialist herbivore, it is only found at sites with an adequate diversity of xerophytic flora. Although it is recognized that the species is under threat from habitat degradation and loss, little or no attempt has been made to measure these changes. This study catalogues the floral diversity and degradation of sites near Lobitos town, north of Talara, to determine the loss of this species´ habitat. Fieldwork was conducted between November 2019 and January 2020. All larger plants (with a diameter ≥ 5 cm near ground level) and all deforested Prosopis pallida (Algarrobo) stumps were georeferenced over a 10 ha plot at the main site of Cerro Blanco, c. 2 km south of Lobitos. The height, width and general health of each bush were noted, and the diameter of P. pall...

The Peruvian Plantcutter, Phytotoma raimondii Taczanowski, 1883, is a restricted-range species endemic to coastal northern Peru. Historically its range is given from Tumbes in the extreme north-western Peru, south to the northern part of Lima Department. Although an increasing amount of information on the Peruvian Plantcutter exists, from historical records to new locations, it has remained dispersed, sometimes unverified, not systematized, and largely unpublished. A careful revision of museum collections as well as published and unpublished records results in a total of 53 sites where the species has been recorded and that represent the present knowledge of the distribution of the species.

The relict forests of the west slopes of the Andes of northern Peru and southern Ecuador form part of the Tumbesian Endemic Bird Area (characterized by dry forests) and at higher altitudes the Southern Central Andes Endemic Bird Area (characterized by cloud forests and paramo). The Tumbesian Region is recognized for its high level of endemic birds, many of which are threatened and also for the high level of deforestation and fragmentation of its natural habitats. This article presents an overview of the state of conservation of these birds and forests, with recommendations for improving the conservation of the last forests of the western slope.

The threatened Peruvian Plantcutter Phytotoma raimondii is a restricted-range species, endemic to the north coast of Peru. As a specialist herbivore, it is only found at sites with an adequate diversity of xerophytic flora. Although it is recognized that the species is under threat from habitat degradation and loss, little or no attempt has been made to measure these changes. This study catalogues the floral diversity and degradation of sites near Lobitos town, north of Talara, to determine the loss of this species´ habitat. Fieldwork was conducted between November 2019 and January 2020. All larger plants (with a diameter ≥ 5 cm near ground level) and all deforested Prosopis pallida (Algarrobo) stumps were georeferenced over a 10 ha plot at the main site of Cerro Blanco, c. 2 km south of Lobitos. The height, width and general health of each bush were noted, and the diameter of P. pall...

In this article, we present an update on the conservation statuts of the Peruvian Plantcutter. We find little presence of the species within its distribution area we catalog threats to the remaining populations. From Tumbes to Ancash only six sites have been identified with populations of more than 10 individuals and only three sites where the species is known to reproduce. Results indicate that the current total population is less than 500 individuals. These sites where the species is found contain floral species typical of the Peruvian desert scrub, several of which are threatened. Sites are very small (between 5 to 150 ha), highly fragmented and are under immediate threat of destruction due to agriculture, urban expansion, illegal logging, livestock foraging, and the introduction of exotic plant species.

En este artículo presentamos una actualización del estado de conservación del “cortarramas peruano”, indicando su escasa presencia dentro del área de distribución de la especie y sus amenazas. Desde Tumbes hasta Ancash se han identificado solo seis lugares donde existen poblaciones de más de 10 individuos y tres sitios en los que se reproduce. Los resultados indican que en total la población actual sería inferior a 500 individuos. Estos sitios contienen especies de flora representativa del matorral desértico peruano, varias de las cuales están amenazadas. Los sitios son muy pequeños (entre 5 y 150 ha), están muy fragmentados y se encuentran en inminente peligro de destrucción debido a la expansión urbana y agrícola, tala ilegal, sobre pastoreo e introducción de especies vegetales exóticas.