Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has been downlisted to Vulnerable due to larger population than previously considered, as well as a lower rate of decline. The population is undergoing a continuing decline across its small and fragmented range due to habitat degradation. This is further compounded by emerging threats from climate change.
Population justification
Based on estimated population densities of 0.9-1.8 individuals/km2, the population was conservatively thought to number a maximum of 2,000-4,000 individuals, roughly converted to 1,250-2,750 mature individuals (Ágreda 2020). Albeit, considering that this may be overestimated, the population could number as low as 1,000-3,000 individuals, equating to 625-2,060 mature individuals (J. Freile in litt. 2020). Further information suggests that the population may number at c. 500-1,800 individuals, possibly reaching up to 2,000 individuals with any number of subpopulation unlikely to exceed 1,000 mature individuals (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). Based on high levels of uncertainty and best available information therefore, the population has been placed in the band of 1,000-2,700 mature individuals, roughly equating to 1,600-3,900 individuals. The population is further thought to exist in at least 4-5 subpopulations at Jama, Pacoche, Cantagallo-Ayampe, Loma Alta and San Francisco-Galerita (M. Moens in litt. 2020). However, the Chongon Colonche mountain range may equally represent only one single subpopulation (J. Freile in litt. 2020). Thus, it is tentatively assumed that there are 2-5 subpopulations within the species's range.
Trend justification
The population trend has not been estimated directly. Whilst reduction was previously estimated to be greater than 50% over a ten year period (Harris et al. 2009), given that habitat loss and degradation are the primary threats, recent forest loss estimates (per Global Forest Watch 2020) show that this is now marginal at <5% in three generations (10 years; Bird et al. 2020). However, although the species is known to tolerate some degree of degraded and converted habitats, taking into account past decline rates and the combined effects of forest loss and degradation with climatic events, it is inferred that the population is undergoing a continued decline of 20-29% over three generations.
Chaetocercus berlepschi is restricted to a small area of west Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Manabí, and Santa Elena), where it is very rare and localised (fewer than 20 known sites). The species has never been found in the Guayas province (A. Ágreda in litt. 2020). Very little suitable habitat remains, however the species's fragmented distribution is not considered to be a major problem due the ability of the species to disperse well (B. Harris in litt. 2020). Small numbers persist from San Lorenzo (Manabí) south to Manglaralto (Santa Elena; B. Harris in litt. 2020). In Manabí, it also occurs in Reserva Jama, Pacoche, and Reserva Cantagallo (M. Moens in litt. 2020). It also nests along the Valdivia river near the village of El Suspiro, Loma Alta (D. Becker in litt. 2017). The species's stronghold may be in the vicinity of the río Ayampe and Machalilla National Park (Becker et al. 2000, Harris et al. 2009). It breeds along the coast between October and March (Juiña et al. 2010), but is absent during other months, when it apparently migrates to the subtropics (Fogden 2012). However, any seasonal or altitudinal movements may be limited by increased habitat disturbance along coastal regions (J. Freile in litt. 2020). In 1993, it was found near Súa, Esmeraldas, in an area severely threatened by logging (Best et al. 1996), and in 1998, one male was recorded on Isla de la Plata (Becker et al. 2000). Several males were observed in the Loma Alta Communal Reserve, Santa Elena, in December 2002 and 2003, and a male was at Dos Mangas Communal Reserve, Santa Elena in December 2005 (Ágreda 2007). During 2007-2008, 11 new localities were found in the lowlands of Manabí and Santa Elena (Harris et al. 2009). In 2017, it was also found in the Muisne-San Francisco Galeras area, Esmeraldas, during the breeding season (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). In 2020, a further 9 nests were found at 2 localities; Ayampe and La Esmeralda (M. Moens in litt. 2020).
This hummingbird inhabits semi-deciduous to evergreen moist (c.1,500 mm annual rainfall) forest along the Pacific coast of western Ecuador from around sea level to 750 m elevation (Becker et al. 2000, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Ágreda 2007, Harris et al. 2009). The vast majority of records come from the rainy season, i.e. from mid-October until late May. The species is found along a gradient from low elevation (0-250 m), disturbed areas (Becker et al. 2000, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001) to more intact, higher elevation (250-750 m), misty "garúa" (low-level cloud) forest in the hills of the Cordillera Chongón-Colonche (Ágreda 2007). A record from a garden (J. Croxall in litt. 2011) shows tolerance for degraded habitat and is thought to regularly breed in these areas (B. Harris in litt. 2020). However, it has to be considered that the species is not completely adaptable to degraded habitats and open areas as observations in such regions may be due to greater accessibility, with disturbed habitats continuing to limit its widespread occurrence (J. Freile in litt. 2020). It will also avoid large urbanized areas and agricultural fields, staying clear of banana, balsa, cacao, oil palm, pineapple, and rice or other monocultural landscapes particularly across central Pacific Ecuador (J. Freile in litt. 2020). It generally breeds in lower elevation, disturbed areas and foothills along the central Ecuadorian coast and move to northwestern Ecuador for the non-breeding season (Harris et al. 2009, Juiña et al. 2010). A male studied in 2005 fed mainly in a flowering patch of understorey herb Razisea (Ágreda 2007). Other common foodplants include Kohleria spicata, Cornutia pyramidae and flowering Vitex gigantea trees (Harris et al. 2009, E. Horstman in litt. 2012). A total of 21 active nests were encountered between October and April, at 30-350 m elevation and within 14 km of the sea (Harris et al. 2009, Juiña et al. 2010). Most were in areas disturbed by cattle ranching, but adjacent to large blocks of forest (Harris et al. 2009, Juiña et al. 2010). Breeding success however has not been formerly determined, with nesting failure thought to be high due to the use of narrow river beds that may tend to overflow (Juiña et al. 2010, A. Ágreda in litt. 2020).
Although current estimates show marginal forest loss (Global Forest Watch 2020), all forest-types within its range have greatly diminished owing to logging and agricultural clearance (Dodson and Gentry 1991, Best et al. 1996). Persistent grazing by goats and cattle damages the understorey, prevents regeneration and is a serious current threat (Dodson and Gentry 1991, Pople et al. 1997). Habitat destruction is particularly persistent along the coastal Ecuadorian dry forest (Portillo-Quintero and Sanchez-Azofeifa 2010). Further habitat loss continues, at least in unprotected areas, and could remove almost all extant forest (Dodson and Gentry 1991). Uncontrolled forest fires are a major threat to forest in the Cordillera Chongón-Colonche (E. Horstman in litt. 2000, 2008). Even in Machalilla, its habitat is threatened by illegal settlement, deforestation, livestock-grazing and habitat clearance by people with land rights (Becker et al. 2000, Harris et al. 2009). More recently, parasitism by Philornis sp. may be a potential threat, however exact effects remain unknown (Bulgarella et al. 2019). An emerging factor is also vulnerability to climatic events such as La Niña which creates drier periods and El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO), that creates intense winter overflows of rivers, especially throughout the Coastal Cordillera Chongon Colonche region (A. Ágreda in litt. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It occurs in Machalilla National Park, but this provides inadequate protection (Harris et al. 2009). The 7.5 km2 Loma Alta Ecological Reserve receives local community support as a watershed reserve and conservation area (Becker and López-Lanús 1997). The Chongón-Colonche Protection Forest may support the species, and a biological corridor linking forest remnants between this site and the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest is being set up (E. Horstman in litt. 2012). The Ayampe Reserve has been created by Fundación Jocotoco, which encompasses and protects the largest known densities of breeding birds, as well as their nesting habitat (B. Harris in litt. 2020, H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020).
6-7 cm. Tiny hummingbird with striking violet, green and white plumage in male. Coppery-green upperparts, flanks and narrow breast-band in male, which also has iridescent rosy-violet gorget, short white postocular, greyish-white breast and forked tail, with outermost feathers reduced to shafts. Female has coppery-green upperparts with a white post-ocular stripe, and peach-suffused whitish underparts, with buff-tinged throat, and tawny tail with green central rectrices and a black subterminal bar. Both sexes have a straight black bill. Similar spp. Underparts pattern of both sexes differs from all other woodstars in range, as does tail pattern of female. Voice a series of rapid chit-cheet and chit-chit-cheet calls
Text account compilers
Fernando, E.
Contributors
Agreda, A., Becker, D., Benstead, P., Croxall, J., Freile, J., Harris, B., Horstman, E., Isherwood, I., Khwaja, N., Moens, M., Pilgrim, J., Schaefer, H.M., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Esmeraldas Woodstar Chaetocercus berlepschi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/esmeraldas-woodstar-chaetocercus-berlepschi on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.