 The range of the black catbird is small and dwindling further due to habitat loss . In 2008 , the world population was estimated to be less than 50 @,@ 000 and decreasing . Due to the speed of its decline , which is reported to have been " precipitous " on Caye Caulker between 2003 and 2008 , the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has assessed the species as near threatened . The late 20th century arrival of the shiny cowbird , a brood parasite , into the Yucatán may cause problems for the black catbird as ( based on past host choices ) the catbird may become a target of the cowbird . 
