Juan Fernandez Firecrown
Encyclopedia
The Juan Fernández Firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis) is a hummingbird
found solely on Isla Róbinson Crusoe
, one of a three-island archipelago belonging to Chile
. It is non-migratory and shares the island with the smaller Green-backed Firecrown
, Sephanoides sephaniodes.
The population of this species has been in a general decline for years. A census made in October 2002 revealed fewer than 200 individual birds and of these only 60 females, although scientifically sound census methods have not yet been used to provide a reliable figure. The species is ranked Critically Endangered by Birdlife International
. A conservation effort was begun in 2004 by a partnership of several organizations (The Hummingbird Society
, American Bird Conservancy
, and Juan Fernández Islands Conservancy, Oikonos - Ecosystem Knowledge) with the aim of preventing extinction of the species.
Contributing factors to the decline in population include destruction of native flora by man; invasion of exotic Rubus ulmifolius and Aristotelia chilensis, particularly by reducing the extent of the Luma trees used for nesting; predation by domestic and feral cats; and erosion by actions of introduced rabbits and goats.
This medium-sized bird
inhabits forests, thickets, and gardens. In summer, males are frequently seen in the island's only town, San Juan Bautista, feeding on Dendroseris.
The male is 12 cm long and weighs 11 g. Its color is mostly cinnamon orange, excepting dark grey wings, black bill, and iridescent gold crown.
The female is 10 cm long and weighs 7 g. Its underparts are white with a dappling of very small green and black areas; the crown is iridescent blue, and upperparts are blue-green.
This species arguably shows the greatest degree of sexual dimorphism found among hummingbirds, so much so that in the 19th century the male and female were thought to be of different species until a nest was discovered with one of each gender.
The female lays two white eggs in a small cup-shaped nest typically 3–4 m above ground, nearly always in Luma apiculata.
The food of this species is nectar, often taken from the flowers of native Juan Bueno (Rhaphithamnus venustus
) and Dendroseris litoralis. It also feeds on introduced Eucalyptus and Abutilon. Both genders defend their foraging territories. This hummingbird is also insectivorous. The call of the male is a loud, raspy staccato of rising and falling pitch.
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
found solely on Isla Róbinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe Island
Robinson Crusoe Island , formerly known as Más a Tierra , or Aguas Buenas, is the largest island of the Chilean Juan Fernández archipelago, situated 674 kilometres west of South America in the South Pacific Ocean...
, one of a three-island archipelago belonging to Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. It is non-migratory and shares the island with the smaller Green-backed Firecrown
Green-backed Firecrown
The Green-backed Firecrown is a hummingbird that is found in Argentina and Chile. It can be fairly common in some locations, especially the Robinson Crusoe Island, 350 miles off the Chilean coast. It is found as far south as Tierra del Fuego.Like its cousin the Juan Fernández Firecrown, the...
, Sephanoides sephaniodes.
The population of this species has been in a general decline for years. A census made in October 2002 revealed fewer than 200 individual birds and of these only 60 females, although scientifically sound census methods have not yet been used to provide a reliable figure. The species is ranked Critically Endangered by Birdlife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
. A conservation effort was begun in 2004 by a partnership of several organizations (The Hummingbird Society
The Hummingbird Society
The Hummingbird Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the understanding and conservation of hummingbirds. It was founded in 1996 by Dr. H. Ross Hawkins, who continues today as its Executive Director. The Society's offices are currently at 6560 Highway 179, Suite 204,...
, American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy is a non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas...
, and Juan Fernández Islands Conservancy, Oikonos - Ecosystem Knowledge) with the aim of preventing extinction of the species.
Contributing factors to the decline in population include destruction of native flora by man; invasion of exotic Rubus ulmifolius and Aristotelia chilensis, particularly by reducing the extent of the Luma trees used for nesting; predation by domestic and feral cats; and erosion by actions of introduced rabbits and goats.
This medium-sized bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
inhabits forests, thickets, and gardens. In summer, males are frequently seen in the island's only town, San Juan Bautista, feeding on Dendroseris.
The male is 12 cm long and weighs 11 g. Its color is mostly cinnamon orange, excepting dark grey wings, black bill, and iridescent gold crown.
The female is 10 cm long and weighs 7 g. Its underparts are white with a dappling of very small green and black areas; the crown is iridescent blue, and upperparts are blue-green.
This species arguably shows the greatest degree of sexual dimorphism found among hummingbirds, so much so that in the 19th century the male and female were thought to be of different species until a nest was discovered with one of each gender.
The female lays two white eggs in a small cup-shaped nest typically 3–4 m above ground, nearly always in Luma apiculata.
The food of this species is nectar, often taken from the flowers of native Juan Bueno (Rhaphithamnus venustus
Rhaphithamnus venustus
Rhaphithamnus venustus is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family. It is endemic to Juan Fernández Islands archipelago west of Chile. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* - World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. ...
) and Dendroseris litoralis. It also feeds on introduced Eucalyptus and Abutilon. Both genders defend their foraging territories. This hummingbird is also insectivorous. The call of the male is a loud, raspy staccato of rising and falling pitch.