It seems easier to detect than A. alpinus and its population at Abra Malaga is estimated to 30-50 birds. As its range lies entirely within the Cuzco-Abancay area we estimate its population to probably around 1000 birds. As its habitat is rapidly being destroyed it should maintain its critically threatened status. The type specimen comes from the Aricoma pass in Puno, but there is no Polylepis to be found there, and no other recent reports from that area. Repetetive visits to Abra Malaga have shown that three pairs inhabit the main area which is most frequently visited by birdwatchers.
Additional pairs are present at other nearby patches of more difficult access.
GF will soon initiate a study at Abra Malaga, to clearify the activity range and other biological data for C. aricomae here. It is likely that C. aricomae needs fairly large territories as it flakes up large areas ov mosscover with its strong bill to get hold of various invertebrates. Thus an average territory could well be around 4 ha. Considering this, the total known population would be around 60 pairs. Taking into account the forementioned yet unexplored areas, as well as possible populations in Puno and La Paz, the world population would be at most 200 pairs.