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

Justification of Red List category
This species is known from a very small range. It however does not appear at risk as most of its habitat is inaccessible and remains in pristine condition, while habitat degradation is currently slow. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The species is described as uncommon to common, though seldom observed (Heindl et al. 2020). For its congener M. tyrianthina, population densities of 50 individuals/km² could be observed in rural areas, of 70 individuals/km² in undisturbed forest, and of 130 individuals/km² in shrubland (Renjifo et al. 2016). Assuming that these densities are representative for this species and that 50% of the mapped range is occupied (i.e., 425 km²), the global population may number 21,250-55,250 individuals. This roughly equates to 14,000-37,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated. Within the range, tree cover loss is negligible (<1% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is however not exclusively restricted to forests; it is also found along borders as well as in páramo and shrubland, which are suffering from some degradation in parts of the range (Heindl et al. 2020). Nevertheless, much habitat remains in pristine and inaccessible conditions (Heindl et al. 2020). Therefore, even though habitat degradation may be ongoing locally and slowly, there is currently no evidence that this is driving a population decline. As such, the population is tentatively suspected to be stable.

Metallura iracunda occurs on the cerros Tres Tetas, Viruela, Pintado and Tetari, and probably Sabana Rubia, in the Sierra de Perijá on the border of Colombia (La Guajira) and Venezuela (Zulia).

It inhabits open bushy areas, páramo vegetation and forest borders (A. Viloria per J. Fjeldså in litt. 1998, Heindl et al. 2020). Cerro Pintado comprises karstic limestone covered by elfin forest, Swallenochloa bamboo and grass páramo, while Cerro Tetari is sandstone and supports a different type of páramo vegetation (A. Viloria per J. Fjeldså in litt. 1998). It mainly occurs at elevations of 2,400-3,200 m (Heindl et al. 2020). Its ecology and behaviour however remain largely unknown (Heindl et al. 2020).

Habitat on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Perijá is threatened by narcotics cultivation, uncontrolled colonisation, burning, cattle-ranching and mineral exploitation, which are all facilitated by the many roads approaching the sierra from the Colombian side (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 1997, 2000; A. Viloria per J. Fjeldså in litt. 1998, R. Strewe in litt. 2003, Sharpe and Lentino 2015). However, the higher elevations remain as yet unaffected by these developments and much pristine, inaccessible habitat remains (Sharpe and Lentino 2015, Heindl et al. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is listed as Vulnerable at the national level in Venezuela (Sharpe and Lentino 2015) and as Near Threatened in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2016). Parts of the range are protected within Sierra de Perijá National Park, Venezuela, and Chamicero de Perijá Bird Reserve, Colombia.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey to localise additional populations and to refine the range limits. Accurately quantify the population size. Study its ecological requirements and subpopulation structure. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss. Manage and effectively protect Sierra de Perijá National Park.

10 cm. Short-billed hummingbird with bright reddish tail. Short black bill. Male black with coppery-green gloss. Shining green crown and glittering green gorget. Bright, shining maroon-red to reddish-purple tail. Female dark green above and buffy below with few brown spots. Reddish tail like male, with buff-tipped outer feathers. Similar spp. Redder tail and more glistening than smaller Tyrian Metaltail M. tyrianthina. Female M. tyrianthina has less uniform underparts. Voice Unknown.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Fjeldså, J., Pilgrim, J., Rodríguez, J.-P., Rojas-Suárez, F., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C J, Strewe, R., Symes, A. & Viloria, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Perija Metaltail Metallura iracunda. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/perija-metaltail-metallura-iracunda 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.