ON the WIRE Cherry-throated Tanager Reserve a Bid to Dodge Extinction
W
ith a remaining population perhaps as low as 17 individuals, the Cherrythroated Tanager is one of the world’s rarest species. This dazzling songbird has a better chance at survival thanks to the establishment last December of a 704-acre protected area of primary Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. The reserve is the latest effort in a plan to save this Critically Endangered bird by Brazilian conservation organization Instituto Marcos Daniel, with support from ABC and Rainforest Trust. “It’s an occasion for celebration and a cause for optimism,” says Bennett Hennessey, ABC’s Brazil Conservation Program Coordinator, of the new reserve. Until 1998, the Cherry-throated Tanager had only been seen once after its discovery in 1870 and was believed to be extinct. In the years since its rediscovery, the tanager, which spends most of its time seeking insects high in the canopy, has been left in highly fragmented habitat, nearly crowded out by rampant agricultural conversion and urban encroachment. The benefits of the reserve go far beyond providing habitat for the rare tanager: Other inhabitants include the Endangered Vinaceousbreasted Amazon and several species considered Vulnerable to extinction: the White-bearded Antshrike, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, and Brownbacked Parrotlet. The Critically Endangered Buffy-headed Marmoset and, likely, populations of the littleknown Brazilian Golden Frog are found there as well.
Now that the land is protected, Instituto Marcos Daniel is developing a conservation plan that includes monitoring Cherry-throated Tanager populations. With the reserve’s longterm sustainability in mind, the group
For such a rare species, every nest represents hope for the future. is looking at ways to generate income, including public use for birdwatching, scientific tourism and research, and a lodge to host visitors. In the meantime, more is being learned about this fascinating bird: In 2021, an active nest was photographed just a few hundred feet outside the reserve boundary — the second found that year. For such a rare species, every nest represents hope for the future. ABC would like to acknowledge support for this project from David and Patricia Davidson, George and Cathy Ledec, Kathy Burger and Glen Gerada, Marcia Koenig Rebmann and Andrew Rebmann, Lenton PARKS Fund, Larry Thompson, George Powell, George Jett, Bert Harris, an anonymous donor, and the estate of Mary Janvrin.
A still shot taken from the first-ever video of a nesting Cherry-throated Tanager pair — filmed through a spotting scope to avoid disturbing the birds. Photo by Alex Mesquita.
Atlantic Forest habitat at the new reserve. Photo by Pedro Develey.
The Cherry-throated Tanager team from the Instituto Marcos Daniel includes (left to right): Marcelo Renan, Valdivia Rocha, Eduardo Sakamoto (ALUPAR), Gustavo Magnago, Thieres Fiorotti, and Victoria Faria. Photo by Instituto Marcos Daniel.
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B I R D CO N S E R V A TI ON | SPRI NG 2022
