Since it was found in 1946, the Santa Marta sabrewing, an emerald green
hummingbird, has only twice been formally recorded.
The Santa Marta sabrewing, one of the top ten most sought-after bird
species worldwide, was surprisingly unearthed in the Colombian highlands
after years of search efforts.
Only twice had the little hummingbird been confirmed to have been seen:
once when it was found in 1946 and once in 2010 when it accidently fell into
a researcher's mist net. Since then, many people have believed it to be
extinct.
According to John Mittermeier, director of vulnerable species outreach at
the American Bird Conservancy, "It's really amazing to see photographs and
video of the Santa Marta sabrewing." "Seeing a ghost," someone said.
Bird enthusiasts are drawn to the missing Santa Marta sabrewing because
they want to prove its existence in history.
According to Natalia Ocampo-Peuela, a Colombian ornithologist at the
University of California, Santa Cruz, many people have gone home
dissatisfied and others may have even been tricked by the bird's illusive
emerald green body and sparkly blue neck. Birdwatchers took pictures of what
seemed to be the sabrewing's body, but since the tail was missing, the
pictures were ambiguous.
According to Ocampo-Peuela, "They could have been misidentifying it or it
might just have such a small population or specialized habitat that all the
birdwatchers who went out there missed it. "It was hidden there all
along!"
Yurgen Vega, who was researching the region's endemic species with the
World Parrot Trust and two conservation research organizations, SELVA and
ProCAT Colombia, came saw the uncommon bird singing while perched on a
branch. According to scientists, the unusual encounter could well ensure its
existence.
Aside from the fact that it typically dwells in neotropical forest at an
elevation of 1200 to 1800 meters and may travel to frigid moors during the
rainy season to look for blossoming plants, nothing is known about the
fascinating species.
Last year, in an effort to save it, the sabrewing was placed on the top 10
most wanted list by Search for Lost Birds.
Agriculture is threatening the forests of the Sierra Nevada, and the
sighting occurred in a region without protection.
According to conservation advocacy groups, knowledge about the sabrewing's
behavior and habitat could assist guide conservation efforts.
In a nation that has more species per square kilometer than any other in
the world, the Santa Marta highlands are home to at least 22 unique bird
species and a refuge of biodiversity.
According to Esteban Botero-Delgadillo of SELVA, the revelation that the
area is home to yet another unique species reinforces the case that the
government must collaborate with environmentalists and local populations to
protect the bird.
Tags:
animals