Rufous twistwing  (Cnipodectes superrufus)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The rufous twistwing is a large tyrant flycatcher, characterised by its rich reddish-brown colour and shaggy appearance (3). It also has a broad, flat bill, grey toes and red eyes, although these can appear dark from a distance (4). Male and female rufous twistwings are very similar in appearance, aside from the male being larger in size (3). Young males may also have an initial yellowy-grey plumage before it develops the deep reddish-brown colouration of the adult (3).

This specialised bird is larger than the brownish twistwing (Cnipodectes subbrunneus), the only other species in its genus, and can also be distinguished by its unique bright colour (3) and three types of vocalisations (2) (5).

The rufous twistwing’s known range is restricted to 13 locations in southwest Amazonia (2), crossing the borders of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (4), between 250 and 380 metres above sea level (2) (3).

All sightings of this species have been from within or close to areas of dense bamboo forest (2), particularly Guadua bamboo (6). It is thought that the rufous twistwing prefers large patches of mature bamboo (at least five metres tall) (2) (3), where it is observed perching just a couple of metres above the ground (2).

The rufous twistwing is a somewhat elusive bird, said to have an “erratic” and “slightly floppy” flight style while moving between perches (2). The most common activity to be observed has been an individual perched one to three metres above the ground, making frequent swift flights to catch and feed upon arthropods (3) (6). Individuals are normally silent while foraging for insects, but perform characteristically sluggish wing raises, although the purpose of these is unknown (2) (3).

The difference in size between males and females (2) (3) and the use of vocalisations and displays by males from perches suggests the twistwing may have a polygynous mating system, in which males mate with more than one female (2). It is also thought that during courtship displays, the rufous twistwing uses a specialised set of modified feathers that are able to produce a rattling sound (3) (4), as is the case for similar bird species (2). 

The main threat to the rufous twistwing is destruction or fragmentation of its habitat. Although Guadua bamboo is able to re-colonise deforested land (6), it is the older and larger patches of forest that the twistwing prefers (2). Therefore, the twistwing’s population is expected to decline as the habitat is lost or fragmented by activities such as the construction of the Trans-Oceanica Highway between Brazil and Peru (4), land conversion for grazing or biofuel production (6), and the harvesting of bamboo for use as a construction material (4).

Current conservation work aims to monitor the species and further assess the population size and range (6). Two of the thirteen sites where the species has been observed are located in the Manu Biosphere Reserve in Peru (3) and therefore are assured certain levels of habitat protection. Further recommended conservation actions include assessing the relationship between the species and the Guadua habitat to determine the size and maturity of bamboo forest patches required to support this species (6).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

To learn about bird conservation in South America see:

• American Bird Conservancy:
  http://www.abcbirds.org
• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org/regional/americas