Mellisuga helenae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	APODIFORMES	TROCHILIDAE

Scientific Name:

Mellisuga helenae

Species Authority:

(Lembeye, 1850)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Bee Hummingbird

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Justification:
This species is classified as Near Threatened because it has a moderately small population that is declining moderately rapidly as a result of forest loss and degradation.

History:

2004

–

Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Mellisuga helenae is endemic to Cuba and formerly Isla de la Juventud, with a patchy distribution including Habana, Sierra de Anafe, Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Zapata Swamp, Jucaro, Moa, Cuchillas del Toa, Sierra Cristal, Mayarí and the coast of Guantánamo^3,4. Although formerly common and widespread, it is now rare and localised³.
Countries:	Native: Cuba Vagrant: Bahamas
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found primarily in dense forests and edge of woodlands with plenty of bushes^3,4. Nesting takes place between April and June⁴.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The historic decline is principally the result of habitat modification and destruction³. Much of Cuba's natural vegetation has been converted to cultivation and pasture for cattle, with only 15-20% of land remaining in its natural state², and the recent expansion of cacao, coffee and tobacco production poses a further serious threat¹.

Major Threat(s):

The historic decline is principally the result of habitat modification and destruction³. Much of Cuba's natural vegetation has been converted to cultivation and pasture for cattle, with only 15-20% of land remaining in its natural state², and the recent expansion of cacao, coffee and tobacco production poses a further serious threat¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. Conservation Actions Proposed Enforce the protection afforded to the species by protected areas. Discourage further clearance of forest for agriculture, using the species as a figurehead. Monitor key populations.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Enforce the protection afforded to the species by protected areas. Discourage further clearance of forest for agriculture, using the species as a figurehead. Monitor key populations.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Mellisuga helenae. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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