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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population size has not been quantified. Other Phaethornis species in Peru were found to occur at densities of 1 individual/km² (P. stuarti) to 4 individuals/km² (P. hispidus; Santini et al. 2018). Assuming that this species occurs at a similar density, and that 25% of forests within the range are occupied to account for its disjunct and localised distribution (i.e., 20,000-21,500 km²; Global Forest Watch 2022), the global population may number 20,000-86,000 mature individuals. This roughly equates to 13,000-57,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but declines are suspected on the basis of habitat loss and degradation. Tree cover loss within the range has been accelerating in recent years to a rate of 7% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is strictly dependent on mature forests and has a low tolerance of secondary habitats (Schulenberg 2020); therefore, population declines may be steeper than the rate of tree cover loss suggests. Tentatively, population declines are here placed in the band 10-19% over ten years.

Phaethornis koepckeae is very patchily distributed on outlying ridges near the east slope of the Andes in Peru, from Amazonas south to Madre de Dios.

It is found in the understorey of lowland and montane evergreen forest, mostly at 450-1,300 m; at least locally it frequents Heliconia patches (Sibley and Monroe 1990, Parker et al. 1996, Clements and Shany 2001, Schulenberg et al. 2007). It is rarely recorded in second growth.

The species is vulnerable to deforestation within its range, as it is rarely found in secondary habitat or outside of forests (Schulenberg 2020). Forests within the range have been progressively logged, fragmented and deteriorated for many years, while the spread of cultivation, oil palm plantations, cattle ranching and logging are all serious threats (Dinerstein et al. 1995, Global Forest Watch 2022).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Search for the species in potentially suitable habitat at new sites. Obtain an accurate estimate of its population size. Study its ecology and its ability to persist in degraded and fragmented habitats. Study its subpopulation structure. Monitor the population trend. Effectively protect core areas of remaining habitat.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Koepcke's Hermit Phaethornis koepckeae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/koepckes-hermit-phaethornis-koepckeae 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.