19 of the world’s rarest and most endangered hummingbirds

The turquoise-throated puffleg is currently the world’s rarest hummingbird, with possibly fewer than 50 individuals remaining – if it still survives at all. Close behind are the Santa Marta sabrewing and the blue-throated hillstar, each critically endangered, with only about 50 to 100 mature birds confirmed in the wild.

This report provides an overview of the rarest and most endangered hummingbirds, progressing from species with larger but declining populations to those already perilously close to extinction. Several species featured here remain largely unknown due to their extreme rarity, while others urgently require greater conservation attention. By documenting these hummingbirds now, Planet of Birds aims to raise awareness, inspire conservation action, and highlight that recovery remains possible, but only with immediate and sustained efforts.

Glow-throated hummingbird (Selasphorus ardens)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 2,000-12,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Serrania de Tabasara in west and central Panama; inhabits shrubby clearings and forest edges above 1,200 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss from deforestation, pasture conversion, agriculture, and potential future impacts from climate change.

The glow-throated hummingbird is restricted to a narrow range in the highlands of Panama, where it has been documented on Cerro Colorado, Cerro Humo, and Cerro Tute, with possible occurrences on the Azuero Peninsula. Although it can survive in secondary and disturbed forests, it is dependent on intact habitats near mountaintops and does not persist in fully cleared areas. Recent population estimates suggest between 2,000 and 12,000 mature individuals, but it is likely closer to the lower end of this range due to the bird’s rarity and patchy presence.

Though overall forest loss across its range remains low, deforestation for cattle pastures, coffee plantations, and subsistence agriculture (especially around Cerro Santiago) poses a significant threat. The species is also likely vulnerable to upslope range shifts caused by climate change, which could further reduce its suitable habitat. Conservation efforts include partial protection through Santa Fe and Cerro Hoya National Parks, but staffing and enforcement remain inadequate. Ongoing research and protection of higher elevation forests are urgently needed.

Mangrove hummingbird (Chrysuronia boucardi)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 1,600-7,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Pacific coast of Costa Rica; found in mangrove forests, especially those dominated by Pelliciera rhizophorae.
• Threats: Mangrove habitat loss from development, logging, shrimp farming, altered hydrology, pollution, and potential sea-level rise.

The Mangrove hummingbird is a coastal specialist restricted to a narrow strip of Pacific mangroves in Costa Rica, from the Golfo de Nicoya to Golfo Dulce. The global population is estimated at 1,600 to 7,000 mature individuals, reflecting its patchy distribution even within major mangrove forests. Though locally common where Pelliciera rhizophorae thrives, many seemingly suitable sites remain unoccupied. It sometimes visits nearby secondary growth or sandy habitats but is heavily reliant on mangroves for foraging and nesting, with breeding recorded from October to February.

The species faces mounting pressure from habitat degradation. Coastal development, illegal logging, shrimp pond construction, and hydrological changes threaten the integrity of its limited range. While mangrove loss within its habitat has been relatively low (around 1.4% over three generations), its small population and habitat specialization make it particularly vulnerable. Climate change, especially sea-level rise, poses an additional risk. Although some mangrove areas are protected, enforcement is limited. Strengthening legal protection and raising awareness could help secure this hummingbird’s fragile future.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird (Hylonympha macrocerca)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 3,000-4,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Paria Peninsula in northeastern Venezuela; inhabits wet montane forests at 500-1,200 m elevation.
• Threats: Habitat loss from agriculture, burning, and logging; climate change driving upslope range shifts.

The scissor-tailed hummingbird is a range-restricted species found only in the mossy montane forests of Venezuela’s Paria Peninsula. Although described as locally common, its total population is small and likely split into three subpopulations, the largest estimated at around 2,400-3,200 mature individuals. Recent sightings have been limited to Cerro Humo and Cerro El Olvido, though other areas of suitable habitat may still support birds.

Despite occurring within the Peninsula de Paria National Park, the species receives little effective protection due to inadequate funding and enforcement. Forest loss is currently low, but the hummingbird is highly sensitive to habitat degradation. Population declines are estimated at up to 19% over 10 years and may accelerate as climate change reduces available habitat. Conservation efforts must focus on improving park management, confirming the species’ full distribution, and raising local awareness to reduce agricultural encroachment.

Juan Fernandez firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: 1,500-3,500 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Robinson Crusoe Island, Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile; dependent on native forests but also uses non-native plant communities.
• Threats: Habitat degradation by invasive plants, predation by introduced mammals, stochastic events (e.g. tsunami, storms).

The Juan Fernandez firecrown is a striking hummingbird restricted to a single island, Robinson Crusoe Island, where it inhabits native forest remnants and nearby areas with flowering plants. Though historically more numerous, the population is now confined to approximately 11 sq km of fragmented habitat. Recent estimates vary widely, with surveys ranging from around 740 individuals after the 2010 tsunami to over 5,000 individuals in more favorable years. The number of mature individuals is currently estimated between 1,500 and 3,500.

While the species breeds only in native forest, it also feeds in non-native vegetation outside the breeding season. This adaptability may help buffer seasonal food shortages, but habitat degradation continues due to invasive plants like Rubus ulmifolius, as well as introduced predators such as cats and rats. Natural disasters like tsunamis and storms have caused temporary population crashes. Conservation actions, including habitat restoration, predator control, and public engagement, are ongoing, but long-term survival depends on continued ecosystem management and invasive species control.

Long-tailed woodnymph (Thalurania watertonii)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Coastal northeastern Brazil (Pernambuco and Alagoas); occurs in lowland rainforest and modified habitats with remnant forest patches.
• Threats: Habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

The long-tailed woodnymph is a rare hummingbird restricted to a few sites in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, particularly in Pernambuco and Alagoas. It inhabits lowland coastal rainforest and can survive in some altered environments like plantations and urban parks, provided that patches of forest or tall trees remain. Though locally considered common, its actual density is low, and the total population is estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, split into subpopulations of no more than 250 each.

The long-tailed woodnymph is particularly vulnerable to forest clearance, which continues to affect the Atlantic Forest north of the Sao Francisco River – less than 4% of which remained by the mid-1990s. Despite its partial tolerance of habitat alteration, the species is still declining slowly, with an estimate of up to 9% reduction over 10 years due to ongoing tree cover loss. Conservation efforts include its presence in protected areas like Pedra Talhada State Park and Frei Caneca Reserve, but urgent action is needed to better assess population trends and secure remaining forest fragments.

Dusky starfrontlet (Coeligena orina)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 2,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Northwestern Colombia (Antioquia, Risaralda, and Chocó); elfin forest and humid montane forest near the timberline, 2,950-3,450 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss from deforestation, agriculture, mining pressure, and climate change driven fires and droughts.

For over 50 years, the dusky starfrontlet or glittering starfrontlet was known only from a single specimen collected in 1951 until its rediscovery in 2004 in the Western Andes of Colombia. It is now known from a handful of locations, most notably the Colibri del Sol ProAves Reserve in Antioquia and Tatama National Park. Despite this rediscovery, the species remains elusive and highly localized. Based on observed densities and restricted range, the global population likely numbers fewer than 2,000 mature individuals, with some estimates centering around 1,000.

While recent forest loss across its range has been relatively low, this hummingbird’s specialized habitat is extremely limited and vulnerable. Deforestation, expansion of agriculture, and the potential threat of mining continue to affect the Paramo de Frontino and other key sites. Additionally, climate change has increased the frequency of severe droughts and fires, further endangering the species. Some areas, such as the Colibri del Sol Reserve, offer protection, but much of its range remains unprotected or poorly managed. Ongoing research, habitat management, and protection are crucial for the species’ survival.

Oaxaca hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 600-1,700 mature individuals
• Range and habitat: Sierra Miahuatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico; inhabits cloud forest and upper tropical semi-deciduous forest (1,300-1,950 m).
• Threats: Habitat loss from agriculture, forest clearance for citrus and maize, and storm damage.

The Oaxaca hummingbird, also known as the blue-capped hummingbird, is endemic to the Sierra Miahuatlan in southern Oaxaca, Mexico, where it is known from two areas roughly 60-70 km apart, along the Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel roads. Though the species was reported as locally common as recently as 1997, field surveys in the intervening years have been scarce, leaving its full distribution poorly understood. It primarily inhabits humid cloud-forest and upper montane tropical forests between 1,300 and 1,950 meters, with occasional records at higher and lower elevations. Nesting has been observed in both spring and late autumn. While the extent of its range is estimated at over 2,000 sq km, only a portion is likely to be occupied, and the population is believed to number between 600 and 1,700 mature individuals.

Habitat destruction is the principal threat facing the Oaxaca hummingbird. Forest clearance for agriculture, particularly maize and citrus farming, has steadily reduced available habitat, and the aftermath of Hurricane Pauline in 1997 likely further impacted local populations, although its precise effects remain unquantified. Although deforestation rates within its known range have been modest (around 0.1% annually), the species’ dependence on intact montane forest means that even small losses can have significant effects. Conservation efforts have included placement on CITES Appendix II and regional bird conservation watchlists, but formal protection of its habitat remains a priority. Surveys are urgently needed to better understand the species’ range, population dynamics, and vulnerability to environmental pressures.

Blue-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon cyanolaemus)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia; restricted to high-altitude paramo around 3,900 m.
• Threats: Habitat degradation due to burning, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and frailejon harvesting.

The blue-bearded helmetcrest is a critically localized hummingbird species known only from the high páramo of the Santa Marta mountains in northeastern Colombia. Once feared extinct, it was rediscovered in 2015 when three individuals were sighted in a fire-damaged area near 3,930 m elevation. Prior to this, the last confirmed record dated back to 1946, despite extensive surveys in intervening decades. The species appears to depend on high-altitude shrublands with Espeletia-like plants (frailejon), including Libanothamnus occultus, and may be highly specialized in its habitat use. Its range is thought to be extremely limited, and recent observations suggest only small scattered populations remain. Based on habitat extent and the scarcity of records, the total population is likely under 1,000 mature individuals.

The paramo habitat of the blue-bearded helmetcrest has been severely degraded over time, primarily by fire and overgrazing from livestock. These practices, often driven by indigenous land use for pasture, have reduced natural vegetation to isolated grass patches. Burning is frequently repeated, and remaining foraging resources are likely dispersed over a vast area. Additionally, harvesting of frailejon for firewood and building material threatens critical food plants. Although the entire known range lies within a national park, active habitat protection and restoration are minimal. Conservation priorities include accurate population assessment, ecological research, sustainable land management initiatives with local communities, and targeted habitat restoration efforts.

Colorful puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Western Andes of Cauca, Colombia; inhabits montane cloud forest between 2,800-3,000 m.
• Threats: Habitat fragmentation, logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, and illegal crop cultivation.

The colorful puffleg is a rare and range-restricted hummingbird endemic to Colombia’s western Andes, known historically from a small area near Cerro Charguayaco. It was feared lost until rediscovery in 1997 and has since been recorded at four sites, including Munchique National Park, El Planchon, and the Serrania del Pinche. Despite these discoveries, the species remains highly localized and scarce, with a fragmented distribution and an estimated population of fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. Tracewski et al. (2016) calculated the area of occupancy at just 14 km², though other estimates suggest a broader but still limited range. The species is believed to occur at low densities, even in areas of seemingly suitable habitat.

The colorful puffleg prefers undisturbed cloud forest but can be found at edges and in clearings, particularly where native vegetation such as Billia colombiana, Clusia, Quercus humboldtii, and Weinmannia pubescens dominates. Habitat loss has been driven by small-scale logging, road expansion, and the collapse of traditional shade-fruit cultivation that once preserved forest cover. Today, threats include illegal coca cultivation, fire, and slash-and-burn agriculture, even within protected areas like Munchique National Park. Conservation actions include the creation of new reserves supported by community outreach and habitat restoration, with the Hummingbird Conservancy and local partners promoting ecological research, replanting of key food species, and alternative livelihoods to reduce forest clearance. Continued habitat protection, especially in the Serrania del Pinche and Munchique, remains essential for the long-term survival of this vividly plumaged Andean endemic.

Grey-bellied comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 250-1,000 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Andes of north-central Peru, from Cajamarca to Ancash; inhabits steep, rocky slopes and canyons at 2,650-3,850 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss, agricultural expansion, anthropogenic fires.

The grey-bellied comet is a rare hummingbird endemic to northern Peru, known from a handful of scattered records across Cajamarca, La Libertad, Huanuco, and Ancash. It inhabits steep, rocky slopes in semi-arid Andean scrub and canyon habitats at 2,650-3,850 m elevation, often near running water and flowering shrubs like Tillandsia, Oreocallis, and Delostoma. Field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2020 confirmed the species at only a few sites, yielding a detection rate of just 0.03 individuals per observation hour. While it appears tolerant of some habitat modification, such as Eucalyptus plantations, the species likely occurs at very low densities and in small, fragmented subpopulations.

The global population is estimated at 250-1,000 mature individuals, or roughly 350-1,500 birds in total. Recent studies suggest that only 4-6% of its total range holds suitable habitat, and areas with historic records may no longer support the species despite intensive searches. The comet’s habitat is severely threatened by agricultural expansion, cattle grazing, vegetation loss, and frequent human-induced fires, particularly in Cajamarca and La Libertad. Conservation actions are urgently needed, including formal protection of confirmed sites and updated surveys across its range to reassess extinction risk and habitat availability.

Gorgeted puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: Approximately 600 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Serrania del Pinche, Cauca, Colombia; inhabits elfin cloud forest between 2,600-2,900 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss due to coca and poppy cultivation, herbicide use, and potential road development.

The gorgeted puffleg is a recently described hummingbird with one of the most restricted known ranges in the Andes. It is confined to a narrow elevational band of elfin forest in the Serrania del Pinche, where it occupies steep ridgelines and forest patches. Since its discovery in 2005, it has been found in very few locations within less than 10 sq km of suitable habitat. While some field observations suggest it may be locally common, overall numbers are presumed to be very low – estimated around 600 mature individuals. Like other members of the genus Eriocnemis, it likely depends on a specialized combination of humid forest structure and flower availability, but its ecological requirements remain poorly studied.

The species is severely threatened by habitat degradation. Illegal coca and opium poppy cultivation drive forest clearance, while associated herbicide use and water contamination further degrade the environment. The region also faces pressure from shifting agriculture and a proposed road project that would cut through sensitive areas. Despite these threats, the establishment of the Serrania del Pinche Protective Forest Reserve (7,256 ha) and active involvement of local communities offer hope. Conservation efforts led by the Hummingbird Conservancy aim to expand protection, restore habitat, and develop a long-term action plan. Continued monitoring and ecological research will be vital to ensuring the survival of this distinctive hummingbird.

Short-crested coquette (Lophornis brachylophus)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: 200-800 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Extremely limited range in Sierra de Atoyac, Guerrero, Mexico.
• Threats: Habitat destruction and illegal crop cultivation.

The short-crested coquette is a tiny, brilliantly colored hummingbird known only from a narrow 25 km stretch of road in the Sierra de Atoyac, northwest of Acapulco. It occupies humid to semi-humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, forest edges, and shade coffee plantations between 900 and 1,800 meters, with possible seasonal altitudinal movements to lower elevations down to 650 meters. It feeds primarily on nectar from Inga and Cecropia, and is not territorial, often foraging alongside other hummingbirds.

The population is likely in the range of 200 to 800 mature individuals, with ongoing declines driven by habitat loss from agriculture and illegal drug crop cultivation. Conservation is complicated by difficult access and uncertainty about seasonal movement patterns. While the species may occur more broadly in the Sierra Madre del Sur than currently documented, confirmed sightings remain rare. Conservation actions have included field surveys, environmental education, and community reserve planning. A formal protected area and further research on habitat use and migration are urgently needed to prevent extinction.

Perija starfrontlet (Coeligena consita)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 500 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Serrania del Perija on the Colombia-Venezuela border; inhabits montane cloud forest at 2,550-3,025 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss due to narcotics cultivation, colonisation, cattle ranching, mineral exploitation, and forest fires.

The Perija starfrontlet is a rare, range-restricted hummingbird of the Serrania del Perija along the Colombia-Venezuela border. Once known from only a handful of specimens, it has been rediscovered at several localities in Colombia, primarily within the Chamicero del Perija Reserve. The species has not been confirmed in Venezuela for decades, though one recent record suggests it may persist there in low numbers. Population density estimates remain low, around 2.2 individuals per sq km – and the current population is suspected to range between 250 and 500 mature individuals, occurring in small, fragmented subpopulations. It is dependent on intact cloud forest and absent from secondary growth, plantations, and degraded areas.

Although forest loss across its range is estimated at less than 2% over 10 years, the species faces significant pressure from illegal agriculture, logging, settlement, and mining. Forests on the lower and eastern slopes of the Sierra have been heavily degraded, and even higher-elevation habitats are now under threat. Fires, whether natural or deliberate, contribute further to habitat fragmentation. Conservation action is limited: Sierra de Perija National Park in Venezuela offers nominal protection, while Colombia’s Chamicero del Perija Reserve protects a small portion of the population. However, poor accessibility and security issues complicate monitoring and conservation. Habitat protection, active management, and further ecological study are urgently needed to safeguard this highly specialized species.

Sapphire-bellied hummingbird (Chrysuronia lilliae)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 250-400 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Caribbean coast of northern Colombia; occupies coastal mangroves, flooded forests, and adjacent shrublands.
• Threats: Extensive mangrove loss, habitat degradation, urban development, and pollution.

The sapphire-bellied hummingbird is a rare coastal specialist restricted to a narrow range along Colombia’s Caribbean shoreline, with core records from Isla de Salamanca National Park and the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta. It is rarely observed and may be easily confused with closely related species, complicating efforts to monitor its population. Survey-based density estimates suggest that only a fraction of its historical range is occupied, with the total population currently estimated at fewer than 400 mature individuals and declining. While individuals have been reported from other coastal sites in northern Colombia, these may represent misidentifications, and no confirmed populations have been recorded in neighboring Peru.

This species is closely tied to mangrove ecosystems and flooded forests, especially favoring flowering Erythrina fusca trees and feeding opportunistically on insects. It also uses disturbed areas, salt flats, and human-modified zones near mangroves. However, ongoing coastal development, conversion of mangroves to pasture, water pollution, and infrastructure projects have devastated its habitat. Nearly 40% of its habitat was lost between 2001 and 2011 alone, and destruction continues across much of its range. Historical damage from road and pipeline construction in Cienaga Grande caused widespread mangrove die-off, with long-term impacts. Although parts of its habitat are protected, enforcement remains limited. Strengthening legal protection, restoring degraded wetlands, and addressing local socioeconomic pressures are essential steps toward securing the future of this distinctive coastal hummingbird.

Chilean woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: Approximately 200 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Northern Chile; confined to the Azapa, Chaca, and Camarones valleys in the Arica region; inhabits desert river valleys up to 750 m.
• Threats: Rapid habitat loss, pesticide use, competition and hybridization, and possible synergistic effects of multiple pressures.

The Chilean woodstar is one of South America’s most threatened hummingbirds, now restricted to a few narrow valleys in extreme northern Chile. Once abundant and frequently observed in gardens and riparian scrub, its population has collapsed by over 80% in the past two decades. Recent censuses estimate around 200 mature individuals remain, primarily in the Azapa and Chaca valleys. The species has disappeared from historically occupied sites such as the Lluta Valley and has not been recorded in southern Peru for many years. It is now rare even in its last strongholds, where dense native vegetation, especially used for courtship and nesting, has been almost entirely cleared.

The woodstar depends on remnant thickets, orchards, and gardens in arid valleys, feeding on both native and introduced flowering plants. Although it shows some adaptability in food sources, the loss of native trees like Geoffroea decorticans and Schinus molle reduces habitat quality. The spread of agriculture, heavy pesticide use, and deforestation for cropland and pasture have severely reduced nesting and foraging habitat. Additional threats include competition and hybridization with the more common Peruvian sheartail (Thaumastura cora), with which it overlaps in range. Although the woodstar generally dominates in territorial interactions, the energetic cost of constant competition and displacement from artificial feeders may further impact its already fragile population. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, awareness campaigns, and small protected areas, but urgent expansion of these initiatives is needed to prevent extinction within the coming decades.

Black-breasted puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis)

• Conservation status: Endangered.
• Estimated population: 100-150 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Nnorthwestern Ecuador; found in humid montane and elfin forest between 1,700-3,500 m.
• Threats: Deforestation, charcoal production, cattle grazing, fire, mining, and climate change.

The black-breasted puffleg is a high-Andean hummingbird endemic to Ecuador, where it persists in a few fragmented sites along the slopes of Volcan Pichincha and the Cordillera de Toisan. Although once thought to be extremely rare, recent studies suggest that the global population may number between 100 and 150 mature individuals. The species is scarce even in seemingly suitable habitat, with small subpopulations estimated at fewer than 80 birds on Pichincha and a potentially larger but poorly studied population in the Toisan range. Its distribution is highly localized, and although altitudinal migration has been reported, the species remains difficult to detect and poorly understood.

The black-breasted puffleg inhabits elfin forest, humid montane forest, and bushy slopes at elevations between 1,700 and 3,500 m, where it relies on seasonal flowering of native plants, particularly Palicourea and members of the Ericaceae family. Its habitat has been heavily degraded: approximately 93% of its historic range has been deforested due to timber harvesting, charcoal production, agricultural expansion, and livestock grazing. Additional threats include land invasions, open-cast mining in the Toisan region, and human-induced fires. Climate change may further reduce suitable habitat, forcing the species above the treeline. Conservation efforts have included the creation of reserves such as Yanacocha and Verdecocha, reforestation projects, community outreach, and the designation of the puffleg as Quito’s emblematic bird. Despite these efforts, continued habitat degradation and insufficient protection in some areas pose ongoing challenges to the species’ survival.

Blue-throated hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: 80-110 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Endemic to the paramos of El Oro and Loja provinces, southwestern Ecuador; found in bushy high-altitude habitats between 3,325-3,680 m.
• Threats: Fire, cattle grazing, pine plantations, drought, tourism, and mining activity.

The blue-throated hillstar is a recently discovered hummingbird, described in 2018 and restricted to a small stretch of the Chilla-Tioloma-Fierro Urco mountain range in southwestern Ecuador. Surveys indicate that the species occupies an estimated 62.7 sq km of fragmented paramo habitat, with core populations in Cerro de Arcos, Guanazan, and Fierro Urco. The total number of mature individuals is estimated at only 80-110 birds, making it one of the world’s rarest hummingbirds. Despite its rarity, the species appears relatively more abundant in some parts of its range, particularly in the west and central sectors. Males tend to prefer shrubby microhabitats, while females are more often seen in open areas. Observations confirm that the population is small, localized, and declining due to habitat loss and degradation.

This species depends on high-elevation paramo shrubland dominated by Chuquiraga jussieui, its primary nectar source. Its habitat is degraded by burning for agriculture, cattle grazing, pine plantations, off-road vehicle traffic, and disturbance from tourism. Droughts further limit the regrowth of its preferred vegetation. In some areas, it competes with more aggressive hummingbirds like the shining sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) and faces predation from the Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis). Parts of its range are threatened by open-cast mining concessions. Conservation actions are underway, including habitat restoration and the creation of a reserve in Cerro de Arcos by Fundacion Jocotoco. Long-term survival depends on expanding protection, linking habitats between strongholds, and reducing anthropogenic pressures through education and collaborative land management.

Santa Marta sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
• Estimated population: Fewer than 50 mature individuals.
• Range and habitat: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia; found in mid-elevation humid and riparian forest between 1,150-1,850 m.
• Threats: Habitat loss, forest degradation, misidentification, fire, and unsustainable land-use practices.

The Santa Marta sabrewing is one of Colombia’s rarest birds, long presumed possibly extinct due to its extreme rarity and lack of confirmed sightings for decades. Originally described in 1879, it was thought to be lost until a single male was rediscovered in 2010. More recently, a resident population was documented in 2022 and 2023 along the Guatapuri River near Chemesquemena and San Jose, close to the type locality. These findings confirm the species persists but is likely restricted to a small area in the southeastern Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Current estimates suggest the population includes fewer than 50 mature individuals, with a documented extent of occurrence under 600 sq km and an area of occupancy as low as 23 sq km if only confirmed localities are considered.

Its preferred habitat includes disturbed but vegetated riverbanks with dense understorey, although it occasionally visits nearby agroforestry areas. The species remains highly vulnerable due to ongoing threats such as deforestation for sugarcane and cattle farming, fires, and loss of riparian vegetation. Its core population lies outside formal protected areas, though within indigenous territories. Long-term conservation depends on collaborative efforts with local communities, habitat protection along the Guatapuri basin, and further ecological study to clarify breeding requirements and potential range.

Turquoise-throated puffleg (Eriocnemis godini)

• Conservation status: Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
• Estimated population: Fewer than 50 individuals, if any remain.
• Range and habitat: Guayllabamba Valley, north Ecuador, possibly also southern Colombia; found in arid montane ravines at 2,100-2,300 m.
• Threats: Extensive habitat destruction and fragmentation; no confirmed sightings since the 19th century.

The turquoise-throated puffleg is one of the most enigmatic hummingbirds, known only from six specimens collected in the 19th century. The sole locality-linked record dates to 1850 in the Guayllabamba Valley of northern Ecuador, within steep arid ravines near Perucho. Despite extensive targeted surveys in the region (most recently in 2004-2005) no confirmed observations have been made in modern times. A single, unverified sighting from the Chillo Valley near Quito in 1976 remains the only possible post-19th-century record. The species is currently classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct), with any remaining population likely numbering fewer than 50 individuals.

The historical habitat of the turquoise-throated puffleg has suffered severe degradation, with most of the arid montane forest at the type locality cleared or heavily altered. Small remnants persist in narrow stream-cut ravines, but the area remains outside protected zones. The ecology of the species is entirely unknown, with no data on behavior, diet, or breeding. Specimens labeled as originating from Bogota may represent trade skins from southern Colombia, possibly from the Pasto region, but this remains speculative. Without new discoveries, the turquoise-throated puffleg risks quietly slipping into extinction, emphasizing the urgency of continued habitat surveys and protection of remaining patches in its presumed range.

Future outlook

The future of the world’s rarest hummingbirds remains uncertain. Habitat destruction, agricultural expansion, illegal cultivation, and climate change continue to threaten these species. Unfortunately, the list of endangered hummingbirds is ongoing – some species currently considered critically endangered may be declared extinct if not rediscovered, while others might appear on future updates as their populations decline.

At Planet of Birds, we believe targeted conservation efforts, including habitat protection, invasive species management, and international collaboration, offer the best chance for their survival. Our hope is that increased awareness and sustained action will lead to positive outcomes for these unique birds and the ecosystems they support.