Ecuadorian Piedtail
VU

Ecuadorian Piedtail

Phlogophilus hemileucurus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuadorian_piedtail

Overview

The Ecuadorian piedtail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

The Ecuadorian Piedtail faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlement in its limited Andean cloud forest range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized high-altitude habitat. The species' restricted geographic range makes it particularly vulnerable to these environmental pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits humid montane cloud forests and forest edges in the Andes, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters. Prefers areas with dense vegetation, epiphytes, and abundant flowering plants that provide nectar sources.

Other threatened species in Trochilidae

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ecuadorian Piedtail classified as Vulnerable?
Ecuadorian Piedtail is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Ecuadorian Piedtail faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlement in its limited Andean cloud forest range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized high-altitude habitat. The species' restricted geographic range makes it particularly vulnerable to these environmental pressures.
Where does Ecuadorian Piedtail live?
Ecuadorian Piedtail occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ecuadorian Piedtail?
The main threats to Ecuadorian Piedtail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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