Rediscovery of Amazilia castaneiventris, an endemic and endangered hummingbird species of Colombia

Abstract

We report the rediscovery of the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia castaneiventris, a restricted-range species considered critically endangered, after some 25 years without documented records. We found this hummingbird around Soatá, Department of Boyacá, where 11 specimens were collected a half century ago. We describe its habitat and present observations of flowers visited, among which those of the Nacedero tree (Tricanthera gigantea) were the most important. We also emphasize the interactions of the local population, both positive (bee-keeping activities stimulate plantings of melliferous vegetation that provides flowers visited by Amazilia) and negative (subsistence hunting for food).