Dusky Starfrontlet

This bird was erroneously listed as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List for many years. Actually, it seems close to extinction, and its status was thus corrected to Critically Endangered in the 2007 Red List issue.

The Dusky Starfrontlet is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Dusky Starfrontlet (Coeligena orina) is a hummingbird species in the subfamily Trochilinae. It is found only at high altitudes in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia, and was first discovered on Páramo de Frontino. Its status was mysterious for a long time as it was only known from a few museum specimens; it was often held to be a mutant or color morph of some other species of Coeligena. When it was rediscovered in 2004, its status as distinct species was confirmed however. More

Dusky Starfrontlet Rediscovered in the Western Andes = Photo: Fundación ProAves When top Andean ornithologist, Dr Niels Krabbe of the University of Copenhagen beams from ear to ear and boasts it was the best two weeks birding of his life…you know he’s been to a very special place for birds. More

Dusky starfrontlet perched on a branch© Fundación ProAves Dusky starfrontlet perched on a branch© Fundación ProAves Species related by - * Family group * Habitat * Conservation status * * View image slideshow * Email to a friend * Donate now More

* › Dusky Starfrontlet + New Antpitta species now easy at Starfrontlet reserve! * › Colombia top birding destination * › Call for information! * › Where to go birding» Bogota & Eastern Andes » Caribbean & Sierra Nevada » Central Andes » Choco & Cauca Valley » Eastern Lowlands » Magdalena valley * › Tours» Tour Operators » Trip Reports More

Dusky Starfrontlet itself is now coming to hummingbird feeders at the lodge! Even better, the extraordinary forest guard at the reserve, Luis, has begun an antpitta feeding station five minutes walk from the lodge, where a new antpitta species, only recently discovered and still awaiting a formal scientific description, can easily be seen! Chestnut-naped Antpitta is also regular at this spot. More