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

Justification of Red List category
This species has not been recorded since the 19^th century. Only the type-specimen taken in 1850 has any locality information; the habitat at the type-locality has been almost completely destroyed, and searches specifically for this species in the area in 1980 and in 2004-2005 failed. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct because there was an unconfirmed record in 1976, and further searches of remnant habitat are required. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).

Population justification
Any remaining population is assumed to be tiny (numbering fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals), with no confirmed records since the 19^th century.

Eriocnemis godini is known from only six specimens collected in the 19^th century, and may be extinct. Only the type-specimen has any locality information, having been taken at Guaillabamba, in ravines of the río Guaillabamba south of Perucho, Pichincha, in north Ecuador. Two "Bogotá" trade-skins are the only evidence of its occurrence in Colombia, but it has been suggested that these originated from Pasto in south Nariño. The only subsequent record is an unconfirmed sighting near Quito, in the Chillo valley, in 1976. Targeted searches at several sites in 1980 and 2004-2005 have failed to relocate the bird (Heynen et al. 2015).

It was recorded at the type-locality in north Ecuador between 2,100 and 2,300 m in a (presumably) arid ravine within a valley. It has been speculated that the "Bogotá" trade-skins may have inhabited temperate zones. Basic biology is however unknown (Heynen et al. 2015).

What is surmised to be suitable habitat at the type-locality has been almost completely destroyed, although remnants can be found in steep-sided stream-cuts in the arid upper Guaillabamba drainage. The area around the type-locality is not within a protected area (Heynen et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Searches specifically for this species at a large number of potential sites in the vicinity of the type-locality have been unsuccessful. Further searches were planned for 2010 (BirdLife International unpublished data).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey any remnant patches of habitat near the type-locality. Protect any remaining habitat (Heynen et al. 2015). Clarify its taxonomic status.

10-11 cm. Predominantly green hummingbird with violet-blue throat, in male, and undertail-coverts, in both sexes. Male has shining golden green upperparts and most of underparts, bluish green rump and uppertail-coverts, faint blue throat and violet undertail-coverts, and blue-black, slightly forked, tail. Female lacks throat patch and plumage generally less bright, more golden on belly. Both sexes have straight black bill. Similar spp. Among pufflegs, blue throat patch of male is distinctive within range. Female Glowing Puffleg E. vestitus has extensive cinnamon-buff on throat and breast.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Ashpole, J, Benstead, P., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Turquoise-throated Puffleg Eriocnemis godini. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/turquoise-throated-puffleg-eriocnemis-godini on 24/11/2024.
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 24/11/2024.