Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-29
Change Date1993-11-04
Edition Date2025-09-24
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G., and D. Mehlman (2009); rev. R. L. Gundy (2025)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsThis species has a limited distribution in northwestern México and the southwestern U.S. The population has declined by approximately 50% and continues to decline. It is threatened by habitat loss from logging and conversion to agriculture in México whereas U.S. populations occur on conservation lands.
Range Extent CommentsThis species is generally considered endemic to northwestern México, although there are numerous sightings from Arizona and New Mexico in the southwestern United States (Zimmerman 1978, Morse 1987, Collar et al. 1992, Williamson 1992, Gulson 2020, Abbott 2022). In México, it is found in northwestern Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Michoacán, at elevations of 1,675-3,100 meters (mainly 2,100-2,800 meters) (Morse 1987, Collar et al. 1992, Williamson 1992, AOU 1998, Gulson 2020). This species is, at minimum, a regular visitor to the U.S. where it is has been documented in the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Superstition mountains, Sierra Ancha, and Mogollon Rim in Arizona, and Animas and Pinos Altos in New Mexico (Abbott 2022). It has been recorded in all seasons in the U.S. with over 40% occurring in fall (Abbott 2022). A pair nested unsuccessfully in 1991 in upper Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona (Collar et al. 1992, Williamson 1992). Using a Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, range extent is estimated to be 562,135 km² (RARECAT 2025).
There is evidence that this species is a short-distance migrant, generally only present in the southern extent of the range in Jalisco and Michoacán from November-March (Contreras-Martínez et al. 2020).
Threat Impact CommentsKnown threats include loss of nesting trees from increased logging pressure, outright destruction of habitat, agricultural encroachment, and increased human disturbance (Collar et al. 1992, Howell and Webb 1995). Berlanga et al. (2010) estimated that 15-49% of the population has been lost in México during the last century. Between 2009-2013, 447.142 hectares of suitable forest habitat was converted to agriculture and pasture in Chihuahua (Torres-Olave et al. 2018). Most sightings in the U.S. have been on protected lands with no threat of development (Abbott 2020).