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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T22695659A93521543
Scope: Global
Language: English
Accipiter gundlachi, Gundlach's Hawk
Assessment by: BirdLife International
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: BirdLife International. 2016. Accipiter gundlachi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2016: e.T22695659A93521543. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Taxon Name: Accipiter gundlachi Lawrence, 1860
Synonym(s):
• Accipiter gundlachii ssp. gundlachii Lawrence, 1860 — Collar and Andrew (1988)
• Accipiter gundlachii ssp. gundlachii Lawrence, 1860 — Collar et al. (1994)
Common Name(s):
• English:
• Spanish:
Gundlach's Hawk
Gavilán Cubano
Taxonomic Source(s):
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife
International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International,
Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Identification Information:
43-51 cm. Medium-sized, stocky forest raptor. Adult, dark blue-grey upperparts with blackish cap, and
barred rufous underparts. Immature, brown above, paler below, but with dark streaking. Rounded tail in
flight. Similar spp. Sharp-shinned Hawk A. striatus is smaller and has squared tail in flight. Broad-winged
Hawk Buteo platypterus is broader-winged and -tailed, and chunkier. Voice Loud kek-kek-kek ....
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1
Year Published:
2016
Date Assessed:
October 1, 2016
Justification:
This species is considered Endangered owing to its very small and severely fragmented population,
which has continued to decline until very recently. Trends appear to have stabilised or even reversed
over the last five years, and if this is confirmed the species may warrant downlisting to Vulnerable in the
future.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
2015 – Endangered (EN) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T22695659A83522893.en
2012 – Endangered (EN) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22695659A38167167.en
2008 – Endangered (EN)
2004 – Endangered (EN)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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2000 – Endangered (EN)
1996 – Endangered (EN)
1994 – Endangered (EN)
1988 – Threatened (T)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
The species has never been common, but formerly occurred throughout Cuba. It is now very rare and
local, with five main population centres known to remain. Most populations of Gundlach's Hawk are
located in eastern Cuba with about 44% of suitable habitat for the species, followed by the central
region with 32% and Western with 24% (Rodriguez Santana 2008). There are three centres for the
nominate race in west and central Cuba, but two of these held only three and 20 pairs respectively in
1994. There are two further areas important for the race wileyi in the east of the island, where the bulk
of the population resides. Sightings around Pico Turquino are scarce, but a bird was seen on the north
slopes of the Sierra Maestra in early 1999 (Rompré et al. 2000). The current potential distribution of the
Gundlach's Hawk covers c. 22,620 km2, which represents 22% of its original distribution (Rodriguez
Santana & Viña Davila 2012).
Country Occurrence:
Native: Cuba
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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Distribution Map
Accipiter gundlachi
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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Population
The population is estimated to number 350-450 pairs, based on surveys (A. Kirkconnell in litt. 2016),
equivalent to 1,050-1,350 individuals (rounded here to 1,100-1,400 individuals) and 700-900 mature
individuals.
Trend Justification
The species is suspected to still be slowly declining, owing mainly to habitat loss and persecution.
However, recently trends appear to have stabilised or even reversed, with more frequent sightings over
a five-year period (A. Kirkconnell in litt. 2012). Further work is needed to confirm these trends.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
It is found up to 800 m in a variety of wooded habitats including humid, dry and pine forests
(Bierregaard 1994a). It preys mostly on birds, including poultry. The breeding season is December-May
(Ferrer-Sánchez & Rodríguez-Estrella 2014), with up to four young fledging by June (Bierregaard 1994a,
A. Kirkconnell in litt. 1999, Rodriguez Santana & Viña Davila, 2012). The nest is generally placed close to
the trunk of a high tree, but below the canopy.
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
Agriculture, hunting, habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, deforestation, mining and fire are threats to
this species (A. Kirkconnell in litt. 2016). There are records of young being taken from the wild for trade
(Bierregaard et al. 2014). The size of remaining forest patches in most territories does not seem to be
sufficient to ensure the presence of isolated populations (Rodríguez-Santana, 2008).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Conservation and Research Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Populations occur within 22 Protected Areas (A. Kirkconnell in litt. 2016), including
the Sierra Maestra and Sierra del Cristal National Parks. Environmental education has grown in Cuba in
recent years (A. Kirkconnell in litt. 2012).
Conservation and Research Actions Proposed Survey Pinar del Río province and the Zapata swamp, and
re-survey areas in eastern Cuba to determine current populations and assess trends. Conduct censuses
of the species during the breeding season to determine the breeding range of the species and to
identify sites to protect. Protect nesting sites and areas of suitable habitat where the species has
historically nested. Further define the species's ecological requirements. Conduct education and public
awareness campaigns to highlight the plight of the bird and discourage human persecution (A. Mitchell
in litt. 1998). Provide compensation to farmers who lose poultry to Gundlach's Hawks. It is urgent to
establish a conservation program particularly focused on this species (Ferrer-Sánchez & RodríguezEstrella, 2016). The Gundlach’s Hawk has lost 80% of its suitable habitat in the entire island and the size
of the remaining forest patches in most territories does not seem to be sufficient to ensure the presence
of isolated populations (Rodríguez-Santana, 2008). Thus, if endemic species are to be preserved,
conservation strategies should be directed towards maintaining natural areas as their populations’
recovery depends on the existence of natural areas with little disturbance. Therefore, it is urgent to
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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establish a conservation program particularly focused on this species (Ferrer-Sánchez & RodríguezEstrella, 2016).
Credits
Assessor(s):
BirdLife International
Reviewer(s):
Butchart, S. & Symes, A.
Contributor(s):
Kirkconnell, A., Mitchell, A., Rodríguez-Estrella, R. & Ferrer-Sanchez, Y.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Benstead, P., Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Sharpe, C J, Wege, D., Khwaja, N.,
Ashpole, J & Wheatley, H.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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Bibliography
Bierregaard, R. O. 1994. Neotropical Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal,
J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 52-205. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
Bierregaard, R.O., Jr, Christie, D.A., Kirwan, G.M. and Marks, J.S. 2014. Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter
gundlachi). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds), Handbook of the
Birds of the World Alive, Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992.
Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird
Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.
Ferrer-Sánchez, Y. and Rodríguez-Estrella, R. 2014. Notas sobre anidación del Gavilán Colilargo (Accipiter
gundlachi) en Cuba. Ornitolología Neotropical 25: 355–361.
Ferrer-Sánchez, Y. and Rodríguez-Estrella, R. 2016. How rare species conservation management can be
strengthened with the use of ecological niche modelling: The case for endangered endemic Gundlach’s
Hawk and Cuban Black-Hawk. Global Ecology and Conservation 5: 88-99.
IUCN. 2016. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 07 December 2016).
Rodríguez Santana, F. 2008. Distribución, migración y conservación de las rapaces del orden
Falconiformes en Cuba. Dissertation thesis. University of Alicante, Spain.
Rodríguez Santana, F., Viña, N. 2012. Accipiter gundlachi. In: González Alonso, H., Rodríguez Shettino, L.,
Rodríguez, A., Mancina, C.A. and Ramos García, I. (eds), Libro Rojo de los Vertebrados de Cuba, Editorial
Academia, La Habana, Cuba.
Rompré, G.; Aubry, Y.; Kirkconnell, A. 2000. Recent observations of threatened birds in eastern Cuba.
Cotinga 13: 66.
Citation
BirdLife International. 2016. Accipiter gundlachi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016:
e.T22695659A93521543. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
Resident
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
Resident
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.7. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Above
High Tide Level
Resident
Suitable
No
1. Forest -> 1.8. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Swamp
Resident
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
Resident
Suitable
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.2. Small-holder
farming
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Slow, significant
declines
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.2. Small-holder
farming
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.3. Persecution/control
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.3. Persecution/control
5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood
harvesting -> 5.3.3. Unintentional effects:
(subsistence/small scale) [harvest]
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Medium
impact: 6
Low impact: 5
-
Medium
impact: 6
Medium
impact: 6
7
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: No
Systematic monitoring scheme: No
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Invasive species control or prevention: No
In-Place Species Management
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: No
Subject to ex-situ conservation: No
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: Yes
Included in international legislation: Yes
Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
4. Education & awareness -> 4.1. Formal education
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
6. Livelihood, economic & other incentives -> 6.4. Conservation payments
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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Research Needed
2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes
Extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (AOO): No
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 102000
Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Yes
Extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (EOO): No
Number of Locations: 11-100
Continuing decline in number of locations: Yes
Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: No
Upper elevation limit (m): 800
Population
Number of mature individuals: 700-900
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
Extreme fluctuations: No
Population severely fragmented: Yes
No. of subpopulations: 5
Continuing decline in subpopulations: Yes
Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: No
All individuals in one subpopulation: No
No. of individuals in largest subpopulation: 1-89
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
Generation Length (years): 7.2
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Accipiter gundlachi – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695659A93521543.en
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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.
The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens
Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™