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historical records to new locations, it has remained dispersed, sometimes unverified, not systematized, and largely unpublished. A careful revision of museum collections as well as published and unpublished records results in a total of 53 sites where the species has been recorded and that represent the present knowledge of the distribution of the species.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...