Hummingbirds are some of the most spectacular and flashy birds, capturing our imagination with their diminutive size, iridescent plumage, and remarkably fast wing beats. They have adapted to thrive in a diverse range of habitats across the Americas. However, habitat loss and degradation, climate change, pesticides, and other threats have put many hummingbird species at risk of extinction.
How many hummingbird species are there?
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds in the world. The vast majority, around 284 species, are found in the Americas. Only a small number, around 20 species, are found outside the Americas in regions like southern Asia and the Caribbean.
Which species are endangered?
Out of the over 300 hummingbird species, 28 are currently classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means these species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Here are some of the most threatened hummingbird species:
- Blue-bearded Helmetcrest – Critically Endangered
- Esmeraldas Woodstar – Critically Endangered
- Black Inca – Endangered
- Ecuadorian Hillstar – Endangered
- Royal Sunangel – Endangered
- Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird – Endangered
- Turquoise-throated Puffleg – Endangered
- Rufous-crested Coquette – Endangered
Where are they found?
Most endangered hummingbird species are concentrated in certain geographic hotspots where habitat loss and degradation pose major threats. These include:
- The Northern Andes: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela. This region is home to 13 endangered hummingbird species.
- Central America: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. 7 endangered species.
- Brazil’s Atlantic Forest: 5 endangered species like the Black Inca.
- Mexico: 2 endangered species including the Bumblebee Hummingbird.
Within these regions, endangered hummingbirds tend to occupy higher elevation cloud forests, tropical dry forests, and subtropical humid forests. These fragile ecosystems face threats from logging, agriculture, and development.
Why are they endangered?
The main threats facing endangered hummingbird species include:
Habitat loss and degradation
The destruction of forests and conversion of land for agriculture, logging, infrastructure development, and other human uses removes critical feeding and nesting habitat for hummingbirds.
Climate change
Climate change can alter flowering schedules and reduce available nectar resources. It may also enable disease-carrying mosquitoes to spread to higher elevations where hummingbirds occur.
Pesticides
Chemical pesticides and herbicides can poison hummingbirds and contaminate nectar and pollen sources.
Invasive species
Introduced bees, ants, and other invasive species can outcompete hummingbirds for food sources in some areas.
Disease
Bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases enabled by climate change and habitat fragmentation can devastate small populations of endangered hummingbirds.
Natural disasters
Hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weather events can destroy critical habitat and nesting sites.
Case study: Ecuadorian Hillstar
The Ecuadorian Hillstar is a severely threatened hummingbird found only in southwest Ecuador. This medium-sized hummingbird has glittering green plumage on its head, throat, and back. It has declined drastically due to habitat loss compounded by its small population size and range. Fewer than 250 individuals remain in the wild.
Threats
The hummingbird’s native scrub and dry forest habitat in southwest Ecuador has been heavily degraded and converted to agriculture. Only tiny fragmented patches remain. These small populations are threatened by:
- Further habitat destruction from farming and development
- Use of pesticides that poison the birds
- Competition from other birds like the Anna’s Hummingbird
- Natural disasters like droughts or fires that could wipe out remaining habitat
Conservation efforts
Conservationists are working to save the Ecuadorian Hillstar through actions like:
- Habitat restoration and protection of key areas
- Banning toxic pesticides
- Community engagement and education
- Establishing captive breeding populations
- Monitoring wild populations
However, its limited habitat and tiny population size make the Ecuadorian Hillstar extremely vulnerable to extinction. More habitat conservation and restoration is urgently needed to pull this unique hummingbird back from the brink.
Status and future outlook
Currently 28 of the world’s over 300 hummingbird species are classified as endangered or critically endangered. Most of these declining species face ongoing threats like habitat destruction and climate change that require concerted conservation action to address. Without expanded environmental protections and habitat restoration, more hummingbirds may slide towards extinction in the coming decades.
However, there are some positive signs. Growing ecotourism creates incentives to protect hummingbird habitat in some regions. Laws restricting pesticides and development in sensitive areas can also benefit species. Captive breeding, reintroduction, and monitoring programs have boosted some endangered populations. Still, the long-term survival of many threatened hummingbirds remains uncertain without bold, sustained efforts to conserve their natural ecosystems in an increasingly human-dominated world.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that have captured the fascination of people across the Americas and beyond. However, habitat destruction, climate change, pesticides, invasive species, and other threats have put many specialized hummingbird species at risk of extinction. Around 28 species are now endangered, concentrated in biodiversity hotspots like the Northern Andes and Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Ongoing conservation action including habitat restoration, bans on destructive pesticides, ecotourism initiatives, and captive breeding programs offer some hope, but many endangered hummingbirds still face an uncertain future. More research, funding, and habitat protections are needed to prevent further declines in their already small and fragmented populations in the wild.
