CR

Juan Fernandez Firecrown

Sephanoides fernandensis

Declining

Overview

The Juan Fernández firecrown is a hummingbird that is critically endangered in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Isla Róbinson Crusoe, one of the three-island Juan Fernández archipelago belonging to Chile.

The Juan Fernández Firecrown faces severe threats from habitat destruction caused by introduced goats and rabbits that have degraded native vegetation across Robinson Crusoe Island. Competition from introduced European honeybees reduces nectar availability, while feral cats prey on adults and nests. Climate change and extreme weather events pose additional risks to this island endemic with an extremely restricted range of less than 100 square kilometers.

Threat summary

Habitat

Endemic to Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández archipelago, this hummingbird inhabits native forest remnants and shrublands dominated by endemic plants like Dendroseris and Myrceugenia. It requires areas with sufficient nectar-producing flowers and suitable nesting sites in dense vegetation.

Artificial - Terrestrial· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionInvasive/problematic species controlHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recoveryFormal educationAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in TROCHILIDAE

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Eupherusa ridgwayi

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Anthocephala berlepschi

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Outcrop Sabrewing

Campylopterus calcirupicola

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Threatened in Chile

VU

Juan Fernandez Petrel

Pterodroma externa

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VU

Black Petrel

Procellaria parkinsoni

Stable
VU

Chimney Swift

Chaetura pelagica

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VU

Pink-footed Shearwater

Ardenna creatopus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Juan Fernandez Firecrown classified as Critically Endangered?
Juan Fernandez Firecrown is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Juan Fernández Firecrown faces severe threats from habitat destruction caused by introduced goats and rabbits that have degraded native vegetation across Robinson Crusoe Island. Competition from introduced European honeybees reduces nectar availability, while feral cats prey on adults and nests. Climate change and extreme weather events pose additional risks to this island endemic with an extremely restricted range of less than 100 square kilometers.
Where does Juan Fernandez Firecrown live?
Juan Fernandez Firecrown occurs in Chile. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Juan Fernandez Firecrown?
The main threats to Juan Fernandez Firecrown are 10.2, 11.4, 5.4, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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