• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a fairly small population. Even though tree cover loss is currently low within the range, habitat degradation and fragmentation are ongoing. Due to its sensitivity to the disturbance and reduction of forest patches the population is inferred to be in slow continuing decline. The species is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The species can be locally common, at least in undisturbed and extensive patches of forest (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Field studies found population densities of 15 individuals/km² in Cachalú and 50-100 individuals in Pedro Palo (Renjifo et al. 2014 and references therein). Precautionarily utilising the lower density of 15 individuals/km², and assuming that 50% of suitable habitat within the range is occupied (i.e. 50% of 2,500 km²; per Renjifo et al. 2014), the total population may number 11,250 individuals. This roughly equates to 7,500 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is precautionarily suspected to be declining, likely as a consequence of the degradation and fragmentation of remaining forest patches within its range (Renjifo et al. 2014, Macana and Zuluaga-Bonilla 2020). The species has been found to become rarer with increasing isolation and degradation of forest fragments (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Tree cover loss within the range is negligible (1% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), and therefore any population declines are likely very slow. They are here tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over ten years; but a direct quantification of the trend is urgently required.

Coeligena prunellei is endemic to Colombia where it occurs on the west slope of the East Andes (Santander, Boyacá and Cundinamarca) and on both the western and eastern slopes of Serranía de los Yariguíes (Donegan and Avendaño 2006). A 1976 specimen of this species was incorrectly labelled as having been collected on the south-west slope of Volcán Tolima in the Central Andes of Quindío (A. J. Negret in litt. 1995).

This is principally a species of mature humid montane forest, especially areas with a predominance of oak Quercus humboldti and Trigonobalanus excelsa. Although birds have been recorded foraging in open parkland and riverine gallery forest, the species probably relies on mature oak forest; it is reported to be more common in large forest fragments (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 2007, Renjifo et al. 2014). Observations suggest that males occasionally move between forest patches, while females tend to stay in the forest interior (Daza-Pacheco and Villamarín-Gil 2006). The species is mainly found between 1,200 and 2,850 m (Renjifo et al. 2014).

The upper Magdalena valley and the Sagamosa drainage have been undergoing habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration since the 17th century (Stiles et al. 1999). In total, the species is estimated to have lost over 70% of its original habitat (Renjifo et al. 2014). The primary causes for forest loss are human settlement and urbanisation, with associated logging and agricultural land-use including coffee and, to a lesser extent, plantain and sugarcane plantations and pastures (Stiles et al. 1999, Renjifo et al. 2014). The species is sensitive to the increasing isolation and degradation of its habitat and becomes rarer in smaller, degraded patches (Renjifo et al. 2014).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The species occurs in several protected areas throughout its range, including Guanentá-Alto Río Fonce Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Chicaque Natural Park and Rogitama Reserve (Renjifo et al. 2014). Some research, monitoring and environmental education activities are being carried out since 2005 (Renjifo et al. 2014).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in relatively inaccessible and well forested parts of the Serranía de las Quinchas to locate additional populations (Stiles et al. 1999). Expand the monitoring programme to directly determine the population trend. Study its ecology and breeding behaviour (T. Züchner in litt. 1999). Prepare a management plan for the species (T. Züchner in litt. 1999).
Protect areas of suitable habitat holding significant populations (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999, T. Züchner in litt. 1999). Augment conservation activities in Guanentá-Alto Río Fonce Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 1999). Continue and expand the environmental education and awareness campaigns.

11 cm. Dark hummingbird with long, needle-like bill. Mainly black with conspicuous white patch on each side of chest and postocular spot. Glittering blue shoulders. Small greenish-blue throat patch. White-edged undertail-coverts. Black and forked tail. Long, slender, straight black bill. Rosy-red legs. Female slightly duller overall. Similar spp. White pectoral patches are unique. Voice Rarely heard ick when feeding.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Cortés, O., Donegan, T., Isherwood, I., Mahood, S., Negret, A.J., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T., Symes, A. & Züchner, T.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Inca Coeligena prunellei. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-inca-coeligena-prunellei on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.