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Tiny Hummingbird's Last Stand in Andes
23 Jan
Summary
- Black-breasted puffleg, a tiny hummingbird, is near extinction.
- Only 150-200 of these birds remain globally.
- Yanacocha Reserve protects the last habitat of this species.
Deep within the Ecuadorian Andes, the Yanacocha Reserve acts as a crucial sanctuary for the Black-breasted puffleg, a hummingbird species facing imminent extinction. This tiny bird, measuring just 9 centimeters, is now reduced to an estimated global population of 150 to 200 individuals.
The Jocotoco Foundation established the Yanacocha Reserve 25 years ago, recognizing its importance for conserving an entire ecosystem, not just a single species. The puffleg, distinguished by its white leg feathers and black chest, occupies a narrow ecological niche between 3,000 and 3,500 meters altitude.
Conservationists are actively working to restore the cloud-shrouded forests on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, northwest of Quito. This critical habitat is increasingly being cleared for agriculture and grazing, intensifying the threat to the puffleg's survival. These efforts aim to secure a future for this unique species, often referred to as the "smallest fairies" of the Andes.
