Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Prior to its rediscovery in March 2015, this species had not been recorded since 1946 despite several surveys. Burning and overgrazing is degrading its high altitude páramo habitat within the very small range. Therefore, the species has been classified as Endangered.
Population justification
Already in the early 20th century the species was reported to be scarce. There had been no confirmed records of the species since 1946 despite a number of recent surveys, until three birds were discovered in March 2015 (Rojas and Vasquez 2015). The remaining population is presumed to be very small and is assumed to number "in the hundreds", based on recorded population densities of congeners (Renjifo et al. 2016). Based on this evidence, and based on the fact that the species is only recorded in small numbers, it is inferred that the population numbers less than 1,000 mature individuals. It is tentatively here placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals, though the population may be even smaller (per D. Lebbin in litt. 2023). An accurate quantification is urgently required.
Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but declines are suspected on the basis of the loss and degradation of páramo habitat due to agriculture, overgrazing, burning and cutting of frailejón (Renjifo et al. 2016, del Hoyo et al. 2020).
The rate of decline is difficult to quantify. The species is thought to have lost at least 11% of its original habitat, however this is considered to have occurred over a long period of time (Renjifo et al. 2016). It is consequently suspected that population declines are likely slow.
The species is known only from the mountains of the Santa Marta region of north-east Colombia, where three individuals were discovered in March 2015 in approximately 10 ha of fire-damaged páramo (Rojas and Vasquez 2015). It is known from at least 62 museum specimens, the most recent taken in 1946, with apparently no confirmed records in the intervening period (Collar and Salaman 2013). As long ago as the early 20th century the species was reportedly ‘found very sparingly’ and it was noted that ‘bushes and shrubbery are scarce on this páramo [Paramo de Mamarongo], hence the few birds found there' (Todd and Carriker 1922). Surveys during 1999-2003 (Strewe and Navarro 2004), brief surveys of the southern slope of the massif in February 2007 (N. Krabbe in litt. 2007) and surveys at higher elevations in December 2011 all failed to record the species.
Habitat requirements and ecology are assumed to be similar to O. guerinii, though there is little data relating directly relating to this taxon. It was most recently observed at high altitude (3,930 m elevation) in small patches of habitat on steep slopes surrounded by burnt vegetation (Rojas and Vasquez 2015). It may depend on Espeletia (frailejón) as one of its most important food sources, and there is only one species of this subshrub known from Santa Marta, Libanothamnus occultus, which has been recorded from subparamo to open slopes at 3,400-4,040 m across the massif (Cleef and Rangel 1984, Collar and Salaman 2013). Libanothamnus occultus was sparsely distributed at the rediscovery site but was not in flower (Rojas and Vasquez 2015), instead the species was observed feeding on four species of flowering plant which are currently being identified.
The páramo of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta has undergone a high degree of destruction and degradation through conversion to livestock pasture and clearance for agricultural cultivation (Renjifo et al. 2016). The species' habitat is affected by the grazing of cattle and sheep belonging to indigenous communities, who repeatedly burn the páramo for pasture (WWF 2013, Rojas and Vasquez 2015, Renjifo et al. 2016). In March 2015, almost all natural vegetation except grasses in localities where the species was observed had been destroyed by fire; foraging resources are thus likely to be spread over a very wide area of possibly hundreds of hectares (Rojas and Vasquez 2015). Indigenous communities collect frailejón for firewood and for use in the construction of houses, reducing a key food source for O. cyanolaemus (Collar and Salaman 2013, Renjifo et al. 2016).
Conservation and research actions in place
CITES Appendix II. The entire range falls within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.
Conservation and research actions needed
Continue to search for remaining populations. Accurately quantify the population size. Study the species' ecology and habitat use. Monitor the population trend. Monitor the extent and condition of habitat.
Consider restoring degraded areas. Use environmental education and community engagement to raise awareness of the species. Improve the level of habitat protection within Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park. Protect community interests whilst restoring and protecting habitat for the species. Encourage sustainable livestock and land management practices. Seek to supply local people with sustainably sourced firewood in order to avoid further habitat destruction.
11.2-12.7cm. Medium-sized hummingbird with prominent crest and elongated throat feathers forming a 'beard'. Crest is mostly white, and obvious white frame for the face extends from the rear of the head, around the ear coverts and down to the breast side. In the centre of the 'beard' are metallic purplish-blue feathers, and the tail has an extensive buff-white area on the outer tail feathers. No sound recordings of vocalisations, however a flight call similar to Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus was noted on its recent rediscovery (Rojas and Vasquez 2015). Similar spp. O. guerinii, O. lindenii, and O. stuebelii were previously lumped with the present species. O. guerinii has a white stripe on the outer retrices including the shafts, and the beard of the male is green. O. lindenii has a longer crest and greatly reduced green feathering in the beard. O. stuebelii differs in having the white areas replaced by a tan colour, a reduced crest and beard and larger whitish area on the outer rectrices.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Martin, R.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S., Collar, N., Cortés, O., Ekstrom, J., Lebbin, D., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Wheatley, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Blue-bearded Helmetcrest Oxypogon cyanolaemus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/blue-bearded-helmetcrest-oxypogon-cyanolaemus on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.