IUCN Species of the Day: Black-Breasted Puffleg

 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

 

Photo credit: Steve Blain

 

The Black-breasted Puffleg, Eriocnemis nigrivestis, qualifies as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.  It is a species of hummingbird known to occur at only two locations in Ecuador.

The main threat to the Black-breasted Puffleg is the felling of forest for timber and charcoal, which facilitates the introduction of cattle for ranching and production crops.  Around 93 percent of the suitable habitat within its probable historic range has been degraded or destroyed.  Construction of a pipeline at Cerro Chiquilipe has led to further habitat destruction, and human-induced fires that are started annually in the dry season also threaten remaining areas of forest.

Media coverage of threats to the Black-breasted Puffleg has encouraged authorities to control access to remaining forest and forbid charcoal production within its key range.  Conservation actions include community outreach programmes, environmental education, reforestation on cattle pastures and other degraded lands, the initiation of a monitoring programme, and the formation of a Local Conservation Group to implement these actions.

 

Geographic Range of the Black-breasted Puffleg

 Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

To learn more about the Black-breasted Puffleg, click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species by clicking their logo below.

 

 

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To learn more about Bush Warriors’ “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our educational initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.

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