Justification This species has an extremely small range, restricted to fragmented habitat on a single island, where habitat loss, predation by introduced mammals and possibly competition are causing continuing declines. It consequently qualifies as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Trochilidae

Species name author (King, 1831)

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 13 cm. Entirely rufous hummingbird. Male bright rufous-orange, with dusky flight feathers. Reddish-yellow crown, generally appearing dark. Dusky lores. Immature male has rufous spotting on crown. Female dark green above, with bluish tinge on crown. Whitish underparts, densely spotted dark green on throat, extending on to flanks. Similar spp. Female Green-backed Firecrown S. sephaniodes is smaller, paler green with duskier underparts and not so densely spotted on throat, with white postocular spot.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500 - 3,000

decreasing

11 km²

Yes

Ecology: It inhabits remnant native forests, on which it appears to be completely dependent for breeding (there is a strong negative correlation between the presence of non-native vegetation and the location of nests⁸), but also utilises non-native plant communities during the non-breeding season, feeding on introduced plants, such as Eucalyptus globulus and garden flowers. This usage of non-native plants is especially common in the austral autumn and winter when only one native species (Raphithamnus venustus) flowers². It is mostly nectarivorous, but small insects are taken from leaves or in flight. The proportion of insects in the diet increases during the chick-rearing period. The sex ratio is heavily skewed, with three males to every female². It may experience competition with S. sephaniodes, especially over access to Dendroseris litoralis flowers post-breeding⁵.

Threats The clearance and degradation of vegetation by humans since the late 16th century and the impacts of herbivorous mammals (especially rabbits introduced in the 1930s) has limited the availability, quantity and quality of food resources. Habitat quality is also being degraded by the spread and dominance of invasive plants, most prominently by elm-leaf blackberry Rubus ulmifolius, maqui Aristotelia chilensis and murtilla Ugni molinae⁶. Introduced predators, such as rats, cats and coatis, have been implicated in the mortality of some birds and may be responsible in part for its decline^2,4. Cats have been documented killing firecrowns in town during the non-breeding season⁸. As is true with many island species, firecrowns are easily approached, thus rendering them highly susceptible to predation. Additionally, during its nocturnal torpor, this species is presumed to be very vulnerable to predation⁴. Males are able to defend territories with highly productive resources, but the smaller females are possibly being indirectly outcompeted by S. sephaniodes^2,9. Preliminary analyses of the population have revealed some genetic variation, but significantly less than in S. sephaniodes².

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. The Juan Fernández Islands were designated as a national park in 1935 (protected from 1967) and an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. The Chilean government began restoring habitat in 1997³, and the islands have been nominated for World Heritage listing¹. Conservation is being led by the Juan Fernández Islands Conservancy, with support from the American Bird Conservancy, Conservation International, the Hummingbird Society, the Jeniam Foundation, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Key activities which have already taken place are⁸: the hiring of two island residents as project coordinators; control of invasive plants and herbivores⁷ (including volunteer programmes for island residents to participate in invasive plant removal), which appears to increase nesting success of the species; invasive predator control (including cat control in the town on Robinson Crusoe); habitat restoration in native forest; a community outreach programme aimed at engaging local people⁶ and including environmental education programmes for local schoolchildren; as well as population surveys and monitoring of active nests, phenology and reproductive success.

Conservation measures proposed Continue to monitor the population using a quantitative census methodology that allows for statistical comparisons between surveys. Remove all introduced mammals, initially within an intensively managed, fenced, feasibility study area². Replant native flora (including a 10 ha plot with shrubs that flower throughout the year) in areas free of introduced rabbits and cattle, initially within the feasibility study area but also at forest edges². Enforce grazing restrictions on national park land². Evaluate feasibility of establishing feeding stations in native forest. Replant fast-growing, soil-binding trees along highly eroded slopes for short-term relief². Implement systematic introduced plant control zonally². Continue to support ongoing efforts to remove alien invasive plants and mammalian predators, and increase awareness.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Hulm (1995). 2. Roy et al. (1999). 3. J. C. Torres-Mura in litt. (1999). 4. Hahn and Römer (2002). 5. López-Calleja et al. (2006). 6. Anon (2005). 7. Hodum and Tomé (2005). 8. Hodum in litt. (2007, 2008). 9. Wolf (2008).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Peter Hodum (Oikonos), J. C. Torres-Mura

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Sephanoides fernandensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/7/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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