Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small known range, within which habitat loss and degradation are proceeding slowly. The species is assessed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified. The species is locally fairly common, including in disturbed areas; it is considered less vulnerable than other species (such as Grey-headed Warbler Basileuterus griseiceps) to removal of undergrowth for coffee plantations (P. Boesman in litt. 2006, Sharpe and Lentino 2015).
Trend justification
A population decline is suspected on the basis of habitat destruction and fragmentation (Sharpe and Lentino 2015), although there are no analyses to support this (J. Pérez-Emán in litt. 2012). Over the past ten years, tree cover loss amounted to 3% within the range; since 2017 this has been accelerating to a rate equivalent to 5% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). As the species shows some tolerance of forest loss and degradation and also occurs in scrub habitat, population declines are likely equally low and localised; they are here tentatively placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
Aglaiocercus berlepschi occurs in north-east Venezuela in the Turimiquire Massif (both in the Serranía de Turimiquire to the west of the San Antonio valley and the Cordillera de Caripe to the east) on the borders of Sucre, Anzoategui and Monagas.
It occurs in humid to wet subtropical montane forest, borders, scrub and second growth, mostly from 1,450 m to 1,800 m (Hilty 2003, Sharpe and Lentino 2015, Altshuler et al. 2020).
The main threat to this species is the loss of montane forests within its range (Altshuler et al. 2020). Habitat is cleared and degraded through burning and understorey removal, mainly for conversion to agricultural fields, livestock pastures and plantations of coffee, mango, banana and citrus fruits (Boesman and Curson 1995, Colvee 1999). Legally protected areas are not adequately enforced (Sharpe and Lentino 2015). Nevertheless, extensive forested areas remain (Colvee 1999, C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2011, Global Forest Watch 2022).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within El Guácharo National Park.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Accurately quantify the population size. Research the impact of habitat loss on the population. Assess the subpopulation structure. Monitor the population trend. Conserve remaining forests within the range.
Male 22 cm (including outer tail feathers 14-15 cm); female 9.5-11 cm. Male has a short black bill, upperparts shining green with darker glittering green crown; underparts bronzy green with a bright blue gorget; outer tail feathers extremely long and broad, basally deep violet, distally blue. Central tail feathers shorter and blue-green. Female shining green above with blue crown; throat, breast and belly white, green flanks and shorter green, slightly forked tail. Similar spp Very similar to Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi. Subspecies kingi and margarethae have some blue on the crown and green tips to the tail feathers in males, while females are cinnamon below. Ssp caudatus has a blue tail and lacks blue on the throat of males.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Bird, J., Boesman, P., Butchart, S., Pérez-Emán, J., Sharpe, C J & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Venezuelan Sylph Aglaiocercus berlepschi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/venezuelan-sylph-aglaiocercus-berlepschi 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.