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

Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a very small range, in which ongoing conversion of forest to agricultural land as well as climate change are causing ongoing loss and degradation of habitat. It is therefore listed as Endangered.

Population justification
The species is described as locally common or abundant. In 1988, 4-8 individuals per hectare were estimated on Cerro El Olvido, suggesting a population of c.1,000 individuals east of Cerro Patao (Bond et al. 1989). In 1993, 1.9 individuals per hectare were estimated on Cerro Humo (Evans et al. 1994). Based on this information, the global population is estimated to number 5,000-6,000 individuals (Sharpe 2015, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2015). This roughly equates to 3,000-4,000 mature individuals.
Based on its disjunct range, the species likely forms three separate subpopulations, the largest of which may number 2,400-3,200 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This is an understorey species that is affected by the loss and degradation of humid, mossy forests within its range. Tree cover loss is currently low overall (2% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Due to its sensitivity to habitat degradation, population declines are likely steeper than tree cover loss suggests, and are here precautionarily placed in the band 1-19% over ten years. Population declines may however accelerate in the future as upslope range shifts caused by climate change push the species closer to mountain tops, reducing the availability of suitable habitat (Sekercioglu et al. 2012).

Hylonympha macrocerca is endemic to the Paria Peninsula in Sucre, north-east Venezuela, with records from cerros Humo, Patao, El Olvido and Azul. The only post-1980 records are from cerros Humo and El Olvido, but the extent of remaining habitat on cerros Patao and Azul indicates that the species is likely still present.

It inhabits wet, mossy montane humid forest with tall trees, where it has been recorded at 500-1,200 m (Heynen et al. 2020). In primary forest, it feeds mainly at bromeliad flowers and on their insect inhabitants, whereas in secondary forest, feeding is associated with the shrubs Heliconia aurea and Costus sp (Bond et al. 1989). Although it is regularly seen feeding on Heliconia in open areas it may nevertheless be dependent on the availability of pristine forest nearby (Bond et al. 1989, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2015). It also hawks insects from exposed perches.

The species is threatened by the loss of its habitat for conversion to agricultural land, uncontrolled burning and selective logging (Sharpe 2015, Heynen et al. 2020). The loss of forests in the area is moreover leading to erosion and drying of streams (Heynen et al. 2020). While a large part of the population occurs within Península de Paria National Park, this park lacks active management and has been described as a "paper park" (Sharpe 2015, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2015).
A further threat is climate change, which is causing upslope range shifts and pushing the species closer to mountain tops, leading to a reduction in available habitat (Sekercioglu et al. 2012).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is recognised as a "high priority" species, amongst the top dozen priorities for bird conservation in Venezuela (Rodríguez et al. 2004, Sharpe 2015). The species has been used as a symbol of conservation in villages adjacent to the park (Rodríguez and Rojas-Suárez 1995). Large parts of it range are formally protected by the Península de Paria National Park, though the park is described as underfunded, understaffed and with inadequate logistical support, and thus not offering the required protection of the species and its habitat (Sharpe 2015).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Confirm the species' presence or absence in the eastern part of the Paria peninsula. Census populations on cerros Humo, Patao, El Olvido and Azul. Study its ecological requirements. Research the impact and potential implications of climate change on the distribution range in order to quantify the impact on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Monitor rates of habitat loss.
Improve the protection and management of Península de Paria National Park. Continue and expand environmental education programmes in the vicinity of the national park to raise awareness for the species and its habitat. Initiate programmes to develop economic alternatives to reduce agricultural encroachment in villages adjacent to the national park.

19 cm (includes 10 cm tail). Strikingly long-tailed hummingbird. Male predominantly dark green with glittering violet cap and blackish-green hind crown. Metallic green mantle washed golden. Glittering emerald breast. Rest of underparts darker green becoming blackish on belly. Blackish-purple tail with longer and broader lateral feathers. Female dark green above. Mainly white spotted green below. White centre of breast. Chestnut belly and undertail. Forked tail shorter than in male. Green central rectrices, distally blue, and cinnamon lateral feathers tipped buff. Long, slightly decurved, black bill. Similar spp. Male Venezuelan Sylph Aglaiocercus berlepschi is smaller with short, straight bill.Voice A thin, high metallic chittering.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Ascanio, D., Benstead, P., Capper, D., De Freitas, M., Isherwood, I., Pérez-Emán, J., Rodríguez, J.-P., Rojas-Suárez, F., Sharpe, C J & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Scissor-tailed Hummingbird Hylonympha macrocerca. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/scissor-tailed-hummingbird-hylonympha-macrocerca 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.