Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	Apodiformes	Trochilidae

Scientific Name:

Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Species Authority:

(Bourcier & Mulsant, 1852)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Black-breasted Puffleg
Spanish	–	Calzadito Pechinegro, Zamarrito Pechinegro

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Critically Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) ver 3.1
Year Assessed:	2008
Assessor/s	BirdLife International
Evaluator/s:	Bird, J. & Butchart, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
Justification: This species has a very small range, being known with certainty only from two locations. Its small subpopulations are suspected to suffer ongoing declines owing to deforestation within a severely fragmented habitat and increasing impacts of climate change. Consequently it qualifies as Critically Endangered.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Eriocnemis nigrivestis is found seasonally on the northern and north-western ridge-crests of Volcán Pichincha, Pichincha, and in the Cordillera de Toisán above the Intag valley, Esmeraldas and Imbabura, north-west Ecuador. On Volcán Pichincha, the area of suitable habitat where the species is known to occur has been dramatically reduced to c.34 km², and supports an estimated 160 individuals. However, it may also occur on the unstudied western slope of the volcano where additional habitat remains. In 2006, another population was discovered within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve⁴. On the basis of satellite images on vegetation cover and topography, it was assumed that two separate areas of appropriate habitat exist in the region, one of 24 km² (Cayapachupa) and another of 30 km² (main massif of the Cordillera de Toisán)⁴. The potentially two subpopulations were estimated at 108 individuals⁴. It may still occur on Volcán Atacazo, but the only confirmed evidence concerns three specimens from 1898, with a possible sighting in 1983. Available records suggest that it is an altitudinal migrant, but its movements remain poorly understood and appear to have changed since it was first collected⁴. Seasonal distribution also seems to change from year to year^4,5. The large number of museum specimens (over 100) suggests it was formerly more common, but the only confirmed record between 1950 and 1993, was of three individuals in 1980. It has clearly declined and is now rare within a very limited range¹.
Countries:	Native: Ecuador
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Jahn (in press.).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits humid and wet cloud forest, and especially high-Andean montane forest, including elfin forest and forest borders at 1,700-3,500m^4,7. It is uncertain whether historical records of up to 4,700m are due to mislabelling or indicating that habitat structure and plant species's composition of páramos has considerably changed over the last century^7,9. It undertakes seasonal movements, which might be linked to staggered flowering periods of certain plant species along altitudinal gradients¹⁰. Black-breasted Puffleg historically seemed to be most numerous between 2,400-3,050 m from April to September and above 3,100 m from November to February during the presumed breeding season. In recent years, most records were obtained between 2,850 and 3,500 m, with dispersing immatures occurring as low as 1,700 m^4,5,7,11. It has recently been recorded along bushy forest edges along road sides, steep slopes with stunted vegetation and from taller montane forest interiors and clearings^4,5,7,10. Although it is more of a generalist than previously reported, altitudinal migrations are thought to be determined by the seasonal flowering of specific vines and species such as fuchsias and ericaceous trees10. It has been recorded using 27 different species of food-plants, thus it is not believed to be restricted in range owing to dietary constraints^4,5,7.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits humid and wet cloud forest, and especially high-Andean montane forest, including elfin forest and forest borders at 1,700-3,500m^4,7. It is uncertain whether historical records of up to 4,700m are due to mislabelling or indicating that habitat structure and plant species's composition of páramos has considerably changed over the last century^7,9. It undertakes seasonal movements, which might be linked to staggered flowering periods of certain plant species along altitudinal gradients¹⁰. Black-breasted Puffleg historically seemed to be most numerous between 2,400-3,050 m from April to September and above 3,100 m from November to February during the presumed breeding season. In recent years, most records were obtained between 2,850 and 3,500 m, with dispersing immatures occurring as low as 1,700 m^4,5,7,11. It has recently been recorded along bushy forest edges along road sides, steep slopes with stunted vegetation and from taller montane forest interiors and clearings^4,5,7,10. Although it is more of a generalist than previously reported, altitudinal migrations are thought to be determined by the seasonal flowering of specific vines and species such as fuchsias and ericaceous trees10. It has been recorded using 27 different species of food-plants, thus it is not believed to be restricted in range owing to dietary constraints^4,5,7.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main threat is the felling of forest for timber and charcoal, facilitating the introduction of cattle and the eventual spread of the agricultural frontier for ranching and to a lesser extent production of crops^1,4,5. In Canton Cotacachi, Imbabura, 45% of households still use firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating, contributing to the destruction of key habitat⁷. The situation is similar on the west slope of Volcán Pichincha, where some families still produce charcoal for auto-consumption and commercialisation in Quito⁷. Suitable habitat on ridge-crests is disappearing more rapidly than surrounding vegetation, because the crests provide flat ground for cultivating potatoes and livestock-grazing within otherwise steep terrain¹⁰. The Toisán population is threatened by rapid deforestation on the south-west slope of the cordillera, copper mining concessions, and invasions of landless framers within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve^4,7. Some ridges where it formerly occurred are now almost completely devoid of natural vegetation and, even if it still occurs in these areas, it is unlikely to be numerous. Around 93% of the suitable habitat within its probable historic range has been degraded or destroyed³, with 97% lost in Pinchincha Province⁵. Human induced fires threaten large tracts of forest during the dry season⁴. The construction of a pipeline at Cerro Chiquilipe led to habitat destruction for the pipeline itself, an access road and a depressurisation station despite the known presence of the hummingbird⁵. Volcán Pichincha has sporadically erupted since 1999, and ash-fall has been considerable in the area. The impacts of this on the species and its habitat are unknown. Climate change in the future may push the climate zone for this species above the current treeline⁴, and could lead to increased competition with Gorgeted Sunangel Helingelus strophianus as that species expands its altitudinal range⁴. However, the current treeline is thought to be lower than it was historically owing to centuries of anthropogenic stresses (particularly fire) causing the gradual loss and fragmentation of high altitude forest⁴.

Major Threat(s):

The main threat is the felling of forest for timber and charcoal, facilitating the introduction of cattle and the eventual spread of the agricultural frontier for ranching and to a lesser extent production of crops^1,4,5. In Canton Cotacachi, Imbabura, 45% of households still use firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating, contributing to the destruction of key habitat⁷. The situation is similar on the west slope of Volcán Pichincha, where some families still produce charcoal for auto-consumption and commercialisation in Quito⁷. Suitable habitat on ridge-crests is disappearing more rapidly than surrounding vegetation, because the crests provide flat ground for cultivating potatoes and livestock-grazing within otherwise steep terrain¹⁰. The Toisán population is threatened by rapid deforestation on the south-west slope of the cordillera, copper mining concessions, and invasions of landless framers within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve^4,7. Some ridges where it formerly occurred are now almost completely devoid of natural vegetation and, even if it still occurs in these areas, it is unlikely to be numerous. Around 93% of the suitable habitat within its probable historic range has been degraded or destroyed³, with 97% lost in Pinchincha Province⁵. Human induced fires threaten large tracts of forest during the dry season⁴. The construction of a pipeline at Cerro Chiquilipe led to habitat destruction for the pipeline itself, an access road and a depressurisation station despite the known presence of the hummingbird⁵. Volcán Pichincha has sporadically erupted since 1999, and ash-fall has been considerable in the area. The impacts of this on the species and its habitat are unknown. Climate change in the future may push the climate zone for this species above the current treeline⁴, and could lead to increased competition with Gorgeted Sunangel Helingelus strophianus as that species expands its altitudinal range⁴. However, the current treeline is thought to be lower than it was historically owing to centuries of anthropogenic stresses (particularly fire) causing the gradual loss and fragmentation of high altitude forest⁴.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: CITES Appendix II. Media coverage of recent research on the species and threats to its habitat has encouraged the authorities to control access and forbid charcoal production at Yanacocha¹. The area was subsequently purchased by the Jocotoco Foundation and protects c.1000 ha of key habitat for the species. An additional 26 ha has recently been purchased adjacent to the reserve for reforestation (of native cloudforest) for a carbon offsetting scheme by Bird Holidays - a birdwatching tour company⁶. The neighbouring private reserve Hacienda Verdecocha protects an additional 1,200 ha of optimal habitat. A large part of the unexplored primary forest of Volcán Pichincha's western slopes are protected by Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo reserve⁴. Western slopes of the Cordillera de Toisán are protected within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve⁴. In 2007, a standardised population monitoring study and community outreach program were initiated on the north-western slopes of Volcán Pichincha⁷. Conservation actions proposed: Assess current status and distribution on Volcán Pichincha^5,7. Survey Volcán Atacazo and neighbouring peaks for the species^2,5,7. Study the species's ecology. Assess threats to the species. Develop a conservation management plan for the species. Purchase critical primary and secondary habitats for the species⁵. Widen outreach programmes amongst local communities to raise awareness of the species and integrate local people in the species's conservation strategy^5,7. Provide local people with alternative incomes that to do not damage the species's habitat^5,7. Engage the government in the creation of protected areas on state owned lands⁵. Consolidate protection of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and the Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo reserve through law enforcement against illegal logging, hunting, and colonisation inside the reserves and sustainable management projects in their buffer zones⁷. Lobby for legislation prohibiting mining in the Cordillera de Toisán⁷. Reforest corridors to link suitable habitat fragments^5,7. Pre-emptively restore native woody vegetation in at least 30% of grass páramo within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, Volcán Pichincha, and Volcán Atacazo over the next 25 years in anticipation of future climate change^4,7.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

CITES Appendix II. Media coverage of recent research on the species and threats to its habitat has encouraged the authorities to control access and forbid charcoal production at Yanacocha¹. The area was subsequently purchased by the Jocotoco Foundation and protects c.1000 ha of key habitat for the species. An additional 26 ha has recently been purchased adjacent to the reserve for reforestation (of native cloudforest) for a carbon offsetting scheme by Bird Holidays - a birdwatching tour company⁶. The neighbouring private reserve Hacienda Verdecocha protects an additional 1,200 ha of optimal habitat. A large part of the unexplored primary forest of Volcán Pichincha's western slopes are protected by Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo reserve⁴. Western slopes of the Cordillera de Toisán are protected within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve⁴. In 2007, a standardised population monitoring study and community outreach program were initiated on the north-western slopes of Volcán Pichincha⁷.

Conservation actions proposed:

Assess current status and distribution on Volcán Pichincha^5,7. Survey Volcán Atacazo and neighbouring peaks for the species^2,5,7. Study the species's ecology. Assess threats to the species. Develop a conservation management plan for the species. Purchase critical primary and secondary habitats for the species⁵. Widen outreach programmes amongst local communities to raise awareness of the species and integrate local people in the species's conservation strategy^5,7. Provide local people with alternative incomes that to do not damage the species's habitat^5,7. Engage the government in the creation of protected areas on state owned lands⁵. Consolidate protection of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and the Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo reserve through law enforcement against illegal logging, hunting, and colonisation inside the reserves and sustainable management projects in their buffer zones⁷. Lobby for legislation prohibiting mining in the Cordillera de Toisán⁷. Reforest corridors to link suitable habitat fragments^5,7. Pre-emptively restore native woody vegetation in at least 30% of grass páramo within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, Volcán Pichincha, and Volcán Atacazo over the next 25 years in anticipation of future climate change^4,7.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Eriocnemis nigrivestis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 04 July 2009.
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