The Saffron-cowled Blackbird is protected by law in Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, and occurs in at least one protected area in Brazil, two in Uruguay, and two in Paraguay.
Fragmentation of grassland habitats and illegal capture and trade have been the main reasons for the decline in the populations of species of southern South American Grassland Birds.
The MoU on the Conservation of Southern South American Migratory Grassland Bird Species and Their Habitats was concluded under CMS auspices and became effective on 26 August 2007.