Rallus antarcticus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	Gruiformes	Rallidae

Scientific Name:

Rallus antarcticus

Species Authority:

King, 1828

Common Name/s:

English

–

Austral Rail

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)

Justification:
Until 1998, there were only three records of this species since 1900, and none since 1959. Surveys have now found it to be more widespread and numerous than previously feared. The known population remains small, fragmented and probably declining, qualifying it as Vulnerable. However, the voice was only determined in 1998, and further surveys may find it with some regularity, potentially resulting in a future downlisting to Near Threatened.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Critically Endangered
1988	–	Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Rallus antarcticus was rediscovered in 1998, and has been subsequently found at six localities in Santa Cruz, Argentina, and two in Magallanes, Chile^5,7,8,9. The discovery of a pair on the Valdes peninsula (Chubut) has extended the known range far to the north¹⁰. It is fairly common at three sites, with the largest population holding c.35 birds^5,8,9. Curiously all recent records fall outside the historical range, despite searches at former haunts⁹. It was previously known from a few specimens and fewer confirmed sight records, with none since 1959. In addition historical records exist for Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, and Valparaiso, Santiago, Colchagua and Llanquihué, Chile. The population is estimated at 2,500 to 9,999 individuals, but recent surveys at the nine locations only added a further 125 individuals to the known total, and there are concerns that the population may actually be below 2,500⁹.
Countries:	Native: Argentina; Chile
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Population estimate derived from analysis of recent records and surveys by BirdLife International (2001)
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in marshy Patagonian steppe wetlands^8,9, where there are large patches of dense and tall (c.2 m) rushbeds Schoenoplectus (Scirpus) californicus, and open areas, densely covered by Myriophyllum sp. and lush green grass^7,8. Some northerly post-breeding dispersal or possibly partial migration may occur, at least in southern populations⁸.
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The most serious threat is the planned development of intensive agriculture in suitable river valleys⁶. Intensive grazing of the steppes may have affected wetlands, because the resulting bare soil has been deposited in pools and marshes by the wind⁴. There has been extensive harvesting of aquatic vegetation for cattle⁴. However, this practice is now limited in many areas², and rushbeds at the site of the rediscovery (and presumably elsewhere) have increased in recent years owing to the particularly wet climate⁸. Water extraction for agriculture and other purposes may negatively impact on wetlands⁹.

Major Threat(s):

The most serious threat is the planned development of intensive agriculture in suitable river valleys⁶. Intensive grazing of the steppes may have affected wetlands, because the resulting bare soil has been deposited in pools and marshes by the wind⁴. There has been extensive harvesting of aquatic vegetation for cattle⁴. However, this practice is now limited in many areas², and rushbeds at the site of the rediscovery (and presumably elsewhere) have increased in recent years owing to the particularly wet climate⁸. Water extraction for agriculture and other purposes may negatively impact on wetlands⁹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: Targeted surveys are responsible for recent records^7,8,9. One population lies adjacent to Los Glaciares National Park but, since cattle graze inside and outside the reserve, its extension would currently offer minimal protection⁹. In Chile, it occurs in Pali Aike and Torres del Paine National Parks^5,7, with extensive habitat remaining in the former⁵. Conservation actions proposed: Survey (with tape-playback) remaining main rivers and marshes throughout possible and historic range⁹. Protect key sites such as El Zurdo and Estancia Soledad. Ensure that agricultural development has minimal effects. Raise local awareness of the species and potential threats.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

Targeted surveys are responsible for recent records^7,8,9. One population lies adjacent to Los Glaciares National Park but, since cattle graze inside and outside the reserve, its extension would currently offer minimal protection⁹. In Chile, it occurs in Pali Aike and Torres del Paine National Parks^5,7, with extensive habitat remaining in the former⁵.

Conservation actions proposed:

Survey (with tape-playback) remaining main rivers and marshes throughout possible and historic range⁹. Protect key sites such as El Zurdo and Estancia Soledad. Ensure that agricultural development has minimal effects. Raise local awareness of the species and potential threats.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Rallus antarcticus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 September 2010.
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