Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a disjunct range, in which habitat loss is ongoing at a slow rate. The population is feared to be small and despite some tolerance of secondary and edge habitat slow declines are suspected. The species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population has not been quantified, but the species appears generally rare (Renjifo et al. 2014). It is suspected that the population numbers less than 10,000 mature individuals, with subpopulations holding less than 1,000 mature individuals, though there is no numerical basis and an accurate quantification of the population is urgently required. Given the number of observational records (eBird 2023) the true population size may be closer to the upper end of this band.
Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated, but a slow decline is suspected which is likely caused by habitat loss within the range (Renjifo et al. 2014). Tree cover loss within the range is very low (3-4% over ten years; Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Population declines are therefore likely equally low and localised, in particular given the species' tolerance of edge and secondary habitat (McMullen et al. 2020); they are here tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
Dacnis hartlaubi has a disjunct distribution in all three Andean ranges in Colombia.
It inhabits humid lower montane forest, typically near the edge, especially shade coffee and cocoa plantations (especially where Inga spp. and Cordia alliodora are commonest), as well as patches of secondary forest (Botero and Verhelst 2001, McMullen et al. 2020). On the west slope of the West Andes it has been recorded as low as 300 m, but mostly occurs at 1,350-2,320 m. Fruit and insects probably form the bulk of its diet (Stiles 1992). A male in breeding condition was collected in August in Cundinamarca, while a nest and fledglings were found in March in Risaralda (McMullen et al. 2020).
The likely cause for the population decline is the loss and degradation of suitable habitat (Renjifo et al. 2014). There is continuing clearance of forests for agricultural fields, pastures and firewood collection. In central-west Cundinamarca and on the upper slopes of the Cauca valley (Quindío and Valle del Cauca), centuries of cultivation have left only remnant forest patches (Wege and Long 1995, Stiles et al. 1999). Colonisation and conversion of the Andean slopes in the middle Magdalena valley to cultivated and pastureland reached a peak in the 1970s (Stiles et al. 1999). However, many areas have since been abandoned and become successional habitats (Stiles et al. 1999).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range. Environmental education and awareness campaigns using D. hartlaubi as a flagship species are carried out in Risaralda, and the expansion of shaded coffee plantations in Antioquia and Cundinamarca may be beneficial to the species (Renjifo et al. 2014).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further field surveys to better assess its population and distribution. Research its ecological requirements to determine the extent to which primary forest is necessary to maintain viable populations. Monitor the population trend. Protect areas of suitable habitat within the range. Continue and expand awareness campaigns.
11 cm. Short-billed dacnis with bright male plumage. Male blue with black mask (except blue eye-ring), throat, mantle, tail and wings (except blue scapulars and tertial fringes). Female dull brown above, greyer on head, with buff fringes to tertials and scapulars. Greyish below, yellowish on median breast and belly. Both sexes have yellow irides. Similar spp. Female similar to Black-faced Dacnis D. lineata, but is less olive above, buffier below and shows marked wing edgings. Tangara spp. have dark irides. Female Hemithraupis spp. are yellower below. Voice A very high monotonic metallic squeak.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Cortés, O., Donegan, T., Isherwood, I., Pople, R., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T., Symes, A. & Verhelst, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Turquoise Dacnis Dacnis hartlaubi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/turquoise-dacnis-dacnis-hartlaubi on 25/11/2024.
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 25/11/2024.