This discussion was first published on Dec 1 2010 as part of the 2011 Red List update, but remains open for comment to enable reassessment in 2013.
Link to BirdLife species factsheet for Hoary Puffleg
Hoary Puffleg Haplophaedia lugens occurs on the Pacific slope of the Andes in south-west Colombia (Nariño) and north-west Ecuador (south to Pichincha): it is listed as Near Threatened under criteria A2c; A3c; A4c; B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v) because, although the species’s Extent of Occurrence is estimated at less than 5,000 km2, and the population is suspected to be declining at a rate of 20-29% over 10 years owing to habitat loss, the population is not considered to be severely fragmented or restricted to a few locations. In addition, a more accurate assessment of this species’s status is hindered by an apparent lack of overall population estimates.
Up-to-date information is requested on this species’s total population size, the severity of threats and the likely population trend, which should be estimated for a period of 12 years (estimate of three generations). Particular detail is requested on the level of habitat fragmentation within its range and the estimated rate of habitat loss, which appears to be rapid. Such information will help in judging the likely rate of population decline. The level of habitat fragmentation would be considered severe if over 50% of suitable habitat was in patches too small to support viable populations.
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Species is rare within its range compared to many other Choco endemic hummers. We see the species regularly at Reserva Las Gralarias (see http://www.avesecuador.com/) for observations.
One, possibly two, individuals come daily to the feeders. The lower part of the reserve is ca. 250 hec. of Cloud Forest, elevation 2000-1700m. We found one nest on 2 July 2010 at 2000m in pristine forest.
Fundacion ProAves have provided the following information:
I saw this species along a rocky stream at Mindo Loma (a private reserve & lodge) in Ecuador in 2005.
may be on a future deforestation in the Andes (Ecuador and Colombia), Perhaps that the population of this species will decline rapidly and it has therefore been uplisted to Vulnerable.