Stunning new hummingbird species needs immediate protection

The flamboyantly coloured Gorgeted Puffleg Eriocnemis isabellae, a new species of hummingbird, has been discovered in Colombia. But there are concerns over its future safety because the Serrania del Pinche mountains where it was discovered are unprotected.

Ornithologists Alexander Cortés-Diago and Luis Alfonso Ortega made three sightings of the new hummingbird during surveys in 2005 of montane cloud forest in the Serrania del Pinche, south-west Colombia. [1]

“We were essentially following a hunch,” said Alexander Cortés-Diago of The Hummingbird Conservancy (Colombia) and co-discoverer of Gorgeted Puffleg. “We had heard that a new species of plant had been discovered in the region in 1994. This discovery and the isolation of the Serrania led us to believe there could also be new species of vertebrates.”

“Though we expected to find new species of amphibians and new ranges for birds, the discovery of a new hummingbird was completely unexpected.”

The highly distinct new species is characterised by an enlarged, bicoloured iridescent throat patch (hence ‘Gorgeted’) in males and white tufts above the legs which are characteristic of ‘Puffleg’ hummingbirds.

Further surveys in 2006 brought more sightings and photographs which were sent for identification to Prof. Karl-L. Schuchmann, curator of ornithology at Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig (Germany). [2]

Dr André-A. Weller of the Brehm Fund for International Bird Conservation/Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig, co-author of the scientific description published in Ornitologia Neotropical noted: “We immediately suspected the bird as a new species. Further study has shown that this is certainly the most spectacular discovery of a new hummingbird taxon during the last decade or more.” [3]

Alex Cortes Serrania del Pinche is shrinking dramatically due to the spread of coca farming and ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Zoom In | Hi-Res

"...the discovery of a new hummingbird was completely unexpected.” —Alexander Cortés-Diago , The Hummingbird Conservancy (Colombia) and co-discoverer of Gorgeted Puffleg

The mountainous Serrania del Pinche region may hold other new species but their future isn’t secure.

“The isolated nature of the Serrania del Pinche within the biodiverse Choco region makes it likely that further new species await discovery,” said Luis Mazariegos-Hurtado of The Hummingbird Conservancy. “Yet a major threat to these forests exists: the increase in coca fields and ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. It is estimated that 500 hectares are lost each year.” commented Mazariegos-Hurtado.

The species has been heralded by BirdLife International as one of the most significant new discoveries of recent years. [4]

“This is an important discovery for bird conservation and further evidence of how much more there is to learn about the world’s forests, and how much we stand to lose if they are allowed to be destroyed.” said Ian Davidson, Head of BirdLife International's Americas Programme based in Ecuador. “Gorgeted Puffleg is a flagship species for the biodiversity of Serrania del Pinche, which must be conserved,” he added. [5]

“To go undiscovered for so long, the bird’s range must be extremely small and fragile – hence conservation action is undoubtedly a priority for the Serrania del Pinche.”

A number of conservation organisations are now looking to ensure the region is secured further protection. The Hummingbird Conservancy has started a conservation initiative with local communities and governmental organisations, whilst Fundación Ecohabitat (Colombia) is working to reduce the relentless expansion of agriculture into the forests by promoting use of legal crops and sustainable agriculture.

The Hummingbird Conservancy is proposing the site become an Important Bird Area to Colombia's Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, working in collaboration with BirdLife International. [6]

“This is a discovery with mixed emotions: the indescribable happiness of finding a new hummingbird and the harsh reality that this may be one of the most endangered species outside of an unprotected area.” said Luis Alfonso Ortega of Fundación Ecohabitat, co-discoverer of the hummingbird. [7]

ENDS

Alex Cortes Gorgeted Puffleg is predicted to have a very small habitat range, hence its survival may hang in the balance. Zoom In

"...conservation action is undoubtedly a priority for the Serrania del Pinche." —Ian Davidson, Head of BirdLife International's Americas Programme (Ecuador)

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Press/photos or to arrange an interview.

Americas: Itziar Olmedo, Americas Secretariat, BirdLife International (Ecuador). Tel: +593 (2) 245-3645; email: itziar.olmedo@birdlife.org.ec

International: Jules Howard, BirdLife International. Mobile: +44 (0)7971069098; email: jules.howard@birdlife.org

CONTACTS WILLING TO BE INTERVIEWED:

Americas: Ian Davidson, Americas Secretariat, BirdLife International (Ecuador). Tel: +593-2-245-3645; email: ian.davidson@birdlife.org

Americas: Luis Mazariegos-Hurtado, The Hummingbird Conservancy (Colombia). Tel: +57-311-300-7240; email: lumaz@aol.com; website: www.thc-fc.org 

Germany: Dr. André-A. Weller, Brehm Fund for International Bird Conservation e.V.,

Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig. Tel: +49 (0)228 9122237; Email: a.weller@brehm-fonds.de

UK: David Wege, BirdLife International. Tel: +44 (0)1223 279809; email: david.wege@birdlife.org

NOTES:

[1] The expedition was supported by Unidad Administrativa Especial del Sistema de Parques Nacionales Naturales (UAESPNN) and Corporación Regional del Cauca (CRC) (both Colombia).

[2] The species was also confirmed by F. Gary Stiles of the Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (ICN, Colombia), where the type specimen is now housed.

[3] The finding is reported in the latest journal of Ornitologia Neotropical (in print; out of press 31 May 2007): A. Cortés-Diago, L. A. Ortega, L. Mazariegos-Hurtado & André-A. Weller. 2007. A NEW SPECIES OF ERIOCNEMIS (TROCHILIDAE) FROM SOUTHWEST COLOMBIA. Ornitologia Neotropical 18: 161–170. A PDF copy of this paper can be obtained by emailing jules.howard@birdlife.org.

For more information on Ornitologia Neotropical visit: www.neotropicalornithology.org/

[4] BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organisations working in more than 100 countries and territories who, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting them.

[5] BirdLife International is the Red List Authority for the world’s birds on the IUCN Red List. Pending taxonomic recognition of the proposed new species by the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithologists’ Union, BirdLife will evaluate the species’s Red List category. Cortés-Diago and co-authors have proposed that Gorgeted Puffleg may qualify as Critically Endangered.

[6] Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are globally recognised sites for the conservation of threatened, endemic, habitat restricted species or for species that congregate in large numbers.

[7] News of the discovery is announced today at the Neotropical Ornithological Congress (NOC) being held in Maturín, Venezuela, from May 13 – 19, 2007. The event, held every four years, is organised jointly by the Neotropical Ornithological Society and the Unión Venezolana de Ornitólogos (UVO), with the purpose of supporting research and conservation of Neotropical birds.