June 2012. One of the world's rarest and smallest hummingbirds, the tiny Esmeraldas Woodstar, will receive new protection from a reserve established in Ecuador through a cooperative effort involving Fundación Jocotoco, World Land Trust-US, and American Bird Conservancy.
Just 500-1000 birds alive
This striking violet, green, white, and copper-colored hummingbird, which measures barely 2 ½" long and which local people call the "Estrellita" (little star), numbers between only 500-1,000 individuals. It is gravely threatened by habitat loss resulting from logging, development, cattle grazing, and agriculture. Less than 5% of lowland western Ecuador remains forested as a result of these activities.
This striking violet, green, white, and copper-colored hummingbird, which measures barely 2 ½" long and which local people call the "Estrellita" (little star), numbers between only 500-1,000 individuals. It is gravely threatened by habitat loss resulting from logging, development, cattle grazing, and agriculture. Less than 5% of lowland western Ecuador remains forested as a result of these activities.
Threatened by beach resorts
The species was little known until a few years ago, when researchers discovered its primary nesting areas along streams on Ecuador's Pacific Coast, near the village of Ayampe. They also discovered that the former sleepy village was becoming a magnet for beach-loving tourists and, as a result, much woodland in the area has already been destroyed for resorts.
The species was little known until a few years ago, when researchers discovered its primary nesting areas along streams on Ecuador's Pacific Coast, near the village of Ayampe. They also discovered that the former sleepy village was becoming a magnet for beach-loving tourists and, as a result, much woodland in the area has already been destroyed for resorts.
38 acre reserve
The new 38-acre reserve is characterized by semi-deciduous to evergreen moist forests. The woodstar breeds at lower elevations along streams adjacent to large forest patches. There is evidence that at least the majority of the population moves upslope to spend the non-breeding season (i.e., dry season ca. April-November) at the higher elevations of the coastal cordillera. Fortunately, some of the non-breeding season habitat is protected by the Machalilla National Park.
The new 38-acre reserve is characterized by semi-deciduous to evergreen moist forests. The woodstar breeds at lower elevations along streams adjacent to large forest patches. There is evidence that at least the majority of the population moves upslope to spend the non-breeding season (i.e., dry season ca. April-November) at the higher elevations of the coastal cordillera. Fortunately, some of the non-breeding season habitat is protected by the Machalilla National Park.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
You only need to enter your comment once! Comments will appear once they have been moderated. This is so as to stop the would-be comedian who has been spamming the comments here with inane and often offensive remarks. You know who you are!