Melpomene brevipes
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Melpomene brevipes faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have destroyed critical cloud forest habitats where this hummingbird depends on specific epiphytic plant communities for nectar sources. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction and climate-induced shifts in montane forest conditions.
Habitat
This species inhabits humid montane Atlantic Forest at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters, particularly in cloud forest environments with dense epiphytic vegetation. It shows strong preference for forest edges and clearings with abundant flowering plants, especially areas with high concentrations of bromeliads and other epiphytes that provide essential nectar resources.
