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Distribution and habitat assessment of an Endangered hummingbird: the Grey-bellied Comet Taphrolesbia griseiventris

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2023

Sandra Cuadros*
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru
Fernando Angulo
Affiliation:
Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad, Lima, Peru
*
*Author for correspondence: Sandra Cuadros, Email: sandra.scd88@gmail.com

Summary

The Grey-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris) is a hummingbird species endemic to northern Peru and listed as Endangered by IUCN due to its small and fragmented population. Despite this, little has been attempted to increase knowledge of its natural history and ecology to provide current information and better evaluate its conservation status. Here, we used known curated records of the species from the literature to generate a model of its potential distribution using MaxEnt, and we then validated the model in the field through direct observation in selected areas. Where the species was confirmed, we conducted a habitat characterisation with field data, and a threat assessment of the landscape using secondary data in ArcGIS. We found five new records of the species in the department of La Libertad at two different sites, confirming a new population. The habitat mostly comprised Andean scrub (17.6%) throughout its distribution, and the main threat in the habitat was human-induced fires for agricultural purposes and as a means of waste disposal. Our findings revealed new information on the distribution of the species with a potential habitat occupancy of 4–6% within its range. Furthermore, areas that were previously reported to harbour a population of the species no longer showed records despite intensive searches in the field. Finally, we discuss the implications for its conservation. Our results indicated that conservation measures to protect the Grey-bellied Comet are urgently needed, especially the declaration of a reserve in La Libertad, which might be the only area where the species is reliably present with good quality habitat.

Resumen

Resumen

El Cometa de Vientre Gris (Taphrolesbia griseiventris) es una especie de colibrí endémica del norte de Perú y clasificada como En Peligro según la UICN debido a su pequeña y fragmentada población. A pesar de esto, poco se ha hecho para mejorar el conocimiento de su historia natural y ecología, y así proveer información actualizada sobre su estado de conservación. En esta investigación, usamos registros de la literatura para generar un modelo de distribución potencial utilizando MaxEnt, y luego validamos el modelo en campo a través de la observación directa en áreas seleccionadas. En los lugares donde se confirmó la presencia de la especie, realizamos una caracterización del hábitat con datos de campo y una evaluación de amenazas al paisaje utilizando datos secundarios en ArcGIS. Encontramos cinco nuevos registros de la especie en el departamento de La Libertad en dos sitios diferentes, lo que confirma una nueva población. El hábitat estaba compuesto principalmente por matorral andino (17,6%) en toda su distribución, y la principal amenaza al hábitat fueron incendios antropogénicos con fines agrícolas y como método de disposición de residuos. Nuestros hallazgos revelan nueva información sobre la distribución de la especie con una ocupación potencial del hábitat del 4–6% dentro de su área de distribución. Además, las áreas que albergaban una población de la especie ya no muestran registros a pesar de búsquedas intensivas en el campo. Finalmente, discutimos las implicaciones para su conservación. Nuestros resultados instan a la acción para mejorar las posibilidades de conservación del Cometa de Vientre Gris, especialmente con la creación de un área protegida en La Libertad donde la especie está presente actualmente.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of BirdLife International

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