  The
Black-capped Piprites (Piprites pileata) is a small bird, just
12 cm long. Most of its body is cinnamon coloured, contrasting
with the chestnut back and shoulders and black cap. Its bill and
feet are light yellow-orange. Without a doubt it is one of the
rarest and most beautiful birds in the Atlantic forest of
Misiones.
The female differs from the male by the olive-green colour of
her back, and generally duller colours, including the colour of
the bill.
Historically the Black-capped Piprites was placed in the
Pipridae family. Recent studies have shown that it is more
closely related to the Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatchers). However,
its taxonomic classification has not been resolved.
Where does the Black-capped Piprites live?
 The
Black-capped Piprites only lives in the Atlantic forest. It has
only been found in a few states in southern Brazil, and in the
province of Misiones in Argentina.
In 1959, naturalist W. H. Partridge collected a male
Black-capped Piprites at Tobuna. Until 2006, this was the only
record of the species in Argentina.
In April 2006, we rediscovered the Black-capped Piprites,
after 47 years, in the lot set aside for Caá Yarí Provincial
Park, department of Guaraní.
Since then, we have also found the Black-capped Piprites in
Guaraní Multiple Use Reserve. We have identified territories in
both Caá Yarí and Guaraní. Both properties are within the Yaboty
Biosphere Reserve. The Black-capped Piprites uses a particular
habitat along the margins of the arroyo Paraíso. It inhabits the
forest canopy where laurel layana (Ocotea pulchella) dominates.
Why is the Black-capped Piprites threatened?
We still don’t really know why the Black-capped Piprites is
so rare and restricted in Argentina. However, the most important
threat to the species is habitat destruction. The laurel layana
forest – its habitat in Argentina – is uncommon. Until now, the
importance of this habitat had not been identified.
In Tobuna, where Partridge collected the first Black-capped
Piprites for Argentina, the forest has been transformed into
small farms with agricultural production, tree plantations, and
remnants of forest. Despite a lot of effort, we have not found
the Black-capped Piprites in Tobuna or vicinity.
In Caá Yarí Provincial Park and neighbouring lots, a forest
fire destroyed part of the laurel layana forest in 2006,
reducing the habitat where the Black-capped Piprites could live.
We have not found it in places with a big anthropogenic
impact. In Argentina, it does not seem to inhabit severely
degraded or fragmented forest. To survive in Argentina, it
probably needs mature laurel layana forest.
 What
are we doing to help the Black-capped Piprites?
- Since rediscovering the species in 2006, we have been
doing field research to answer a series of questions: Where
does it live in Argentina? How many individuals are left?
What does it eat? Where and how does it nest? Is it
territorial?
- The results of our study help us understand the
situation of this species in Argentina, and propose ways to
conserve it.
- We found 10-12 individuals in six territories, all in
laurel layana forest along the arroyo Paraíso.
- We found a nest, the first known for the species and the
first described in detail for the genus Piprites.
- We disseminated information about this species in the
media and local presentations.
What else needs to be done?
-
 Conserve
laurel layana forest. Laurel layana forest needs to be
effectively conserved in Misiones. Although most of the
remaining laurel layana forest is inside the Yaboty
Biosphere Reserve, it is exposed to timber harvesting on
private lands within the reserve. It is important to study
the effect of timber harvesting on the Black-capped
Piprites.
- More research. It is important to continue studying the
Black-capped Piprites to inform strategies for its
conservation.
- Outreach. It is important to include this species in
outreach programs so that everyone in Misiones can know
about its critical situation.
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