CR
Chilean Woodstar Eulidia yarrellii



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
SACC. 2005 and updates. A classification of the bird species of South America. Available at: https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
A2ace+3ce+4ace; C2a(ii) A2ace+3ce+4ace; C2a(i,ii); D A2ace+3ce+4ace; C2a(i,ii); D1

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2020 Critically Endangered A2ace+3ce+4ace; C2a(ii)
2018 Critically Endangered A2ace+4ace
2016 Critically Endangered A2ace+3ce+4ace
2015 Critically Endangered A2ace+3ce+4ace
2014 Critically Endangered A2ace+3ce+4ace
2012 Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)
2008 Endangered B1a+b(i,ii,iii,v)
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 8,500 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 6,220 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 210 mature individuals good estimated 2017
Population trend decreasing poor estimated 2017-2027
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-99% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-99% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 80-99% - - -
Generation length 2.1 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: The population is extremely small. Counts from 2010-2015 have produced estimates of between 405 and 592 individuals (Lazzoni Traversaro 2015, Yañez 2016), which roughly equates to 270-395 mature individuals. The most recent census in 2017 estimated only 316 individuals (Sepúlveda 2020, D. Lebbin in litt. 2020), equating to c. 210 mature individuals.

Trend justification: Evidence from surveys and anecdotal observations indicates that this species has undergone an extremely rapid decline. It was described as very common in the first half of the 20th century, with over 100 individuals seen feeding together. In the late 1980s, the species was noted as common in gardens in Arica and regular in the Lluta Valley; however, it has since disappeared from these areas, and it is now rare in the Azapa Valley, where it was once regular and common (C. F. Estades in litt. 2007, A. Jaramillo in litt. 2014). In 2003, the Azapa valley held around 75% of the total population, which was estimated at around 1,500 individuals, while in 2007 the total population was estimated at around 1,200 individuals (55% in Azapa and 45% in Chaca) (C. F. Estades in litt. 2007). Counts from 2010-2015, however, suggests that the population has since declined to around 500 individuals (D. Lebbin in litt. 2012, Lazzoni Traversaro 2015, Yañez 2016). Population estimates have shown that the Azapa and Chaca populations have reduced by 15.6% annually (81.6%) in 10 years (C. F. Estades in litt. 2013). Population counts from between 2003 and 2015 (Lazzoni Traversaro 2015, Yañez 2016) and from 2017 (Sepúlveda 2020) indicate that the population is likely declining at a rate of >80% over three generations. It has been speculated that the species could be lost from the Azapa Valley within a decade, and that the species could face extinction within two decades (A. Jaramillo in litt. 2014). Therefore, it is assumed that declines are continuing at the same rate into the future.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Chile extant native yes
Peru possibly extinct native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Chile Valle Azapa
Chile Valle de Chaca
Peru Tacna

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Arable Land major resident
Artificial/Terrestrial Rural Gardens suitable resident
Desert Hot major resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident
Altitude 200 - 700 m Occasional altitudinal limits (max) 3000 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Problematic native species/diseases - Thaumastura cora Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Hybridisation, Competition
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Herbicides and pesticides Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture international

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Chilean Woodstar Eulidia yarrellii. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/chilean-woodstar-eulidia-yarrellii on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.