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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range, in which remaining habitat is lost and degraded for agricultural purposes. It consequently qualifies as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The species can be locally common (Heindl et al. 2020). In 1992 the population was suspected to number more than 2,000 mature individuals and to be declining. As there are no recent estimates, the population is tentatively placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population trend has not been directly quantified. Páramo grassland and high-altitude forests are burned and cleared for conversion into livestock pastures and agricultural fields, lowering the treeline and causing habitat loss and fragmentation (Tinoco et al. 2009). The species is not found in pastures and agricultural land (Tinoco et al. 2009), and as such the ongoing conversion of its habitat is inferred to cause a slow continuing decline.

Metallura baroni occurs in Cajas plateau of the Andes in Azuay and Cañar provinces, south Ecuador.

It is confined to Polylepis woodland, shrubby páramo and edges of montane and elfin forest at 3,040-4,040 m (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Tinoco et al. 2009). These habitats are usually intermixed with open páramo and severely disturbed areas which have been converted to livestock pasture or pine plantation, where the species is not found (Tinoco et al. 2009). Its main nectar resources are Brachyotum spp. (Melastomataceae), Berberis spp. (Berberidaceae), and Barnadesia arborea (Asteraceae), but Draba sp. (Brassicaceae), Gentianella sp. (Gentianaceae), Ribes lehmannii (Grossulariaceae), Salvia sp. (Lamiaceae) and Saracha quitensis (Solanaceae) are also visited (Tinoco et al. 2009). Nectar is supplemented with arthropods taken in flight or from plant substrates (Tinoco et al. 2009). It prefers to forage within a couple of metres of the ground. Courtship displays were observed in June and July (Tinoco et al. 2009). Breeding was documented during the rainy season between March and May (Carrasco-Ugalde et al. 2022).

Timberline habitats in the Andes have been diminishing since the arrival of humans thousands of years ago, primarily through the use of fire (Kessler and Herzog 1998). Sustainable land-use systems established by Pre-Columbian cultures were largely replaced by unsustainable agricultural techniques, including widespread burning of high-Andean habitats, during the colonial period (Kessler and Herzog 1998). Polylepis forests are one of the most threatened habitats in South America, having been reduced to isolated fragments within its historical range throughout the Andes (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, Fjeldså and Kessler 1996).
Regular burning of páramo grassland, adjacent to elfin forest, to promote growth of fresh shoots for livestock, has lowered the treeline by several hundred metres, and destroyed large areas of this species' habitat (Kessler and Herzog 1998). Fires likely represent the most severe threat to the species, particularly considering that they may occur in most parts of the range (per B. Tinoco and P. Astudillo in litt. 2023). The species is further threatened by cattle grazing in large parts of the range, even within protected areas (B. Tinoco and P. Astudillo in litt. 2023). Single individuals are locally killed due to collision with vehicles along the road through Cajas National Park (Astudillo et al. 2014, Aguilar et al. 2019).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It occurs in two protected areas, El Cajas National Park and Río Mazán reserve (N. Krabbe in litt. 1999, Tinoco et al. 2009, Astudillo et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable habitat to locate additional populations and to refine the distribution limits. Accurately quantify the population size. Research its ecology, particularly breeding and movement. Monitor the population trend.
Ensure effective protection of habitat. Improve land-use management by segregating agricultural, grazing and forest areas. Regulate the use of fire. Raise awareness for the species and its habitat.

10-11 cm. Medium-sized, largely green hummingbird, with striking violet throat in male. Both sexes have uniformly dark olive-green upperparts and straight black bill. Male also has underparts concolorous with back, except purple-violet throat and sky-blue tail with yellow-green underside. Female has whitish-grey underparts, with incomplete throat patch and densely spotted olive-green. Outer tail feathers have whitish tips to underside. Similar spp. None in range. Voice A short rapid trill followed by a series of 6 high pitch descending peep's with a higher tippit-trree to finish.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Astudillo, P., Benstead, P., Freile, J., Isherwood, I., Krabbe, N., Sharpe, C.J., Stuart, T., Symes, A., Tinoco, B. & Züchner, T.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Violet-throated Metaltail Metallura baroni. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/violet-throated-metaltail-metallura-baroni on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.