Eulidia yarrellii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	APODIFORMES	TROCHILIDAE

Scientific Name:

Eulidia yarrellii

Species Authority:

(Bourcier, 1847)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Chilean Woodstar
Spanish	–	Colibrí de Arica

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Estades, C., Howell, S., Fjeldså, J.

Justification:
This species is classified as Endangered because it has a very small range, with all viable populations apparently confined to remnant habitat patches in two desert river valleys. These valleys are heavily cultivated, and the extent, area and quality of suitable habitat (and therefore the population) are likely to be declining.

History:

2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Eulidia yarrellii is only known to breed regularly in the Azapa and Vitor valleys, Arica department, extreme north Chile⁴. Surveys since 2003 have failed to find it in the Lluta valley where it had previously been recorded in small numbers⁴. Stragglers have been found north to Tacna and possibly Moquegua departments, south Peru, and there is a historical record as far south as north Antofagasta province, but there are no recent records for Peru⁴. It was described as very common in the first half of the 20th century, with over 100 seen feeding together. More recent surveys have found the species to be scarce to locally common³, but it is unclear whether this reflects a serious decline or previous observers finding suitable flowering trees. In 2003 the Azapa valley held around 75 % of the total population, which was estimated at around 1,500 individuals⁴, while in 2007 the total population was estimated at around 1,200 individuals (55% in Azapa and 45% in Vitor)⁵.
Countries:	Native: Chile; Peru
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Estades in litt. 2007 estimated 650 individuals in Azapa population and 550 in Vitor.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits small remnant patches of native scrub in desert river valleys up to 750 m, but birds are occasionally reported above 2,000 m and once as high as 3,000 m^2,4. It is postulated that it migrates altitudinally, and may require fairly continuous vegetation along rivers to undertake such movements³. It has often been reported feeding in gardens, particularly on Lantana and Hibiscus flowers¹, but it is comparatively rare in such habitats³. It uses fruit groves for feeding (Citrus spp) and nesting (olive trees)⁵. Despite the large numbers formerly seen feeding in flowering trees, it is usually a solitary feeder. Active nests have been found in April, May, late August and September and there appear to be two annual peaks in breeding activity⁴.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits small remnant patches of native scrub in desert river valleys up to 750 m, but birds are occasionally reported above 2,000 m and once as high as 3,000 m^2,4. It is postulated that it migrates altitudinally, and may require fairly continuous vegetation along rivers to undertake such movements³. It has often been reported feeding in gardens, particularly on Lantana and Hibiscus flowers¹, but it is comparatively rare in such habitats³. It uses fruit groves for feeding (Citrus spp) and nesting (olive trees)⁵. Despite the large numbers formerly seen feeding in flowering trees, it is usually a solitary feeder. Active nests have been found in April, May, late August and September and there appear to be two annual peaks in breeding activity⁴.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Remaining native habitat in the heavily cultivated Azapa and Vitor valleys is confined to small patches, and the indigenous plants favoured by the species may be severely threatened. Although it has adapted to use introduced plants the presence of certain native species may still be a limiting factor⁴. The 'chañares' tree (Geoffroea decorticans) may be an important food resource but is often destroyed by farmers who consider it invasive and believe it attracts mice⁴. Pesticides began to be heavily used in the Azapa valley in the 1960s in order to control the Mediterranean Fruit fly and other crop pests but the Peruvian Sheartail has not suffered similar declines, suggesting that this may not be the primary cause of its decline⁴. Competition with Peruvian Sheartail Thaumastura cora has been suggested as a potential threat, although this has not been proven^5,6.

Major Threat(s):

Remaining native habitat in the heavily cultivated Azapa and Vitor valleys is confined to small patches, and the indigenous plants favoured by the species may be severely threatened. Although it has adapted to use introduced plants the presence of certain native species may still be a limiting factor⁴. The 'chañares' tree (Geoffroea decorticans) may be an important food resource but is often destroyed by farmers who consider it invasive and believe it attracts mice⁴. Pesticides began to be heavily used in the Azapa valley in the 1960s in order to control the Mediterranean Fruit fly and other crop pests but the Peruvian Sheartail has not suffered similar declines, suggesting that this may not be the primary cause of its decline⁴. Competition with Peruvian Sheartail Thaumastura cora has been suggested as a potential threat, although this has not been proven^5,6.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. All exports of hummingbirds from Peru and Chile are controlled. A ten-year species recovery plan was approved in 2004 and included plans for a public awareness campaign, a study of competition with the woodstar and Peruvian Sheartail, a permanent population monitoring programme, restoration of natural vegetation in the Azupa and Lluta valleys, incorporation of its conservation into the agenda of the local Good Agricultural Practices committee, and a study of the feasibility of an ex-situ conservation project and reintroduction into suitable areas within the historical range⁴. Conservation Actions Proposed Research genetic structure of populations. Begin a habitat restoration program in the Lluta, Vitor and Azapa valleys. Conduct an education campaign to emphasize the importance of native plants, and encourage the planting of appropriate trees and bushes. Continue population monitoring as detailed in species recovery plan. Limit the amount of pesticides used in Azapa and Vitor valleys.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. All exports of hummingbirds from Peru and Chile are controlled. A ten-year species recovery plan was approved in 2004 and included plans for a public awareness campaign, a study of competition with the woodstar and Peruvian Sheartail, a permanent population monitoring programme, restoration of natural vegetation in the Azupa and Lluta valleys, incorporation of its conservation into the agenda of the local Good Agricultural Practices committee, and a study of the feasibility of an ex-situ conservation project and reintroduction into suitable areas within the historical range⁴.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research genetic structure of populations. Begin a habitat restoration program in the Lluta, Vitor and Azapa valleys. Conduct an education campaign to emphasize the importance of native plants, and encourage the planting of appropriate trees and bushes. Continue population monitoring as detailed in species recovery plan. Limit the amount of pesticides used in Azapa and Vitor valleys.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Eulidia yarrellii. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 February 2012.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided