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CR
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Chestnut-bellied
Hummingbird Amazilia castaneiventris
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2006
IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List
Authority for birds for IUCN): Critically Endangered
Justification This species is Critically Endangered because it
has an extremely small known range in which suitable habitat is severely
fragmented and continuing to decline. However, the extent to which it
tolerates degraded and secondary habitats and the current distribution are
in urgent need of assessment.
Family/Sub-family Trochilidae
Species name author Gould, 1856
Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005), Sibley and Monroe
(1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)
Identification 8.4 cm. Small hummingbird
with rufous underparts and tail. Shining reddish-bronze above becoming
greyish-buff on rump. Glittering green throat and chest. Rufous-chestnut
lower underparts and tail. Small, white leg-puffs. Black, straightish bill
with pinkish base to lower mandible. Similar spp. Rufous-tailed
Hummingbird A. tzacatl is very similar, but has dingy-grey
lower underparts. Voice Unknown.
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Population estimate
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Population trend
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Range estimate
(breeding/resident)
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Country endemic?
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250-999
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decreasing
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6 km2
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Yes
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Range & population Amazilia castaneiventris is found only on the slopes of
the Serranía de San Lucas and the East Andes, Colombia. One specimen
was taken in 1947 on the east slope of the Serranía de San Lucas in
Bolívar. All other records have been in the large Sagamoso and Lebrija
valley systems draining the west slope of the East Andes. There are records
from two sites in Santander (in 1962 and 1963), and three in Boyacá
(including the 1977 specimen from Tipacoque, and the sighting in 2000 at
Villa de Leyva)4. Historically, it was locally common,
but trends are difficult to assess because of the lack of observer coverage
resulting (in part) from guerilla activity in its range6.
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Important Bird Areas Click here
to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded, including sites where
the species does not meet any IBA criteria.
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Ecology It inhabits humid forest at 850-2,200 m, and
possibly as low as 120 m in the Serranía de San Lucas. Many records
come from forest borders or bushy canyons, with the most recent sighting in
a semi-arid ravine vegetated with shrubs and low trees4.
The breeding season is probably August-December.
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Threats The Sagamoso and Lebrija valley systems support large
human populations and have long been areas of high agricultural production.
Natural habitat has been severely fragmented, and generally replaced by
coffee plantations, light woodland and, to a lesser extent, pastures and
plantain and sugarcane plantations. Semi-arid habitats are less threatened
than humid forest4, but are affected by livestock-grazing
and seasonal burning for farming5. The Serranía de San
Lucas had held the largest tract of intact forest in north-west South
America, but a gold rush began in 1996, and most of the eastern slopes have
since been settled, logged and converted for agricultural and coca
production1,2,3,5. Mining and cocaine production cause
stream pollution2,3,5. Immigration is continuing as road
and oil pipelines extend into formerly inaccessible areas1,5.
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Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. Apart from
one successful search in 20004, none is known.
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Conservation measures proposed Determine its status in the
Serranía de San Lucas, at politically safe historical sites and in
protected areas, such as Guanentá-Alto Río Fonce. Research its natural
history and habitat preferences5. Prepare action plans
for conservation of habitat within its range2,7. Protect
areas of suitable habitat found to hold the species2,7.
Raise awareness of conservation issues through educational campaigns2.
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References Collar et al. (1992). 1. A. Cuervo in litt. (1999). 2. L. Dávalos in litt. (1999). 3.
Donegan and Salaman (1999). 4. López-Lanús (2002). 5.
P. G. W. Salaman in litt. (1999). 6. F. G. Stiles in litt. (1999). 7. T. Züchner in litt. (1999).
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Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife
International)
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IUCN Red List evaluators Phil Benstead (BirdLife
International), David Wege (BirdLife International)
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