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New species of hummingbird discovered in Colombia mongabay.com May 15, 2007
Ornithologists Alexander Cortés-Diago and Luis Alfonso Ortega first sighted the bird in the mountain cloud forest in the Serrania del Pinche in southwest Colombia during 2005. We immediately suspected the bird as a new species," André Weller of the Brehm Fund for International Bird Conservation/Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig stated in a news release. "Further study has shown that this is certainly the most spectacular discovery of a new hummingbird taxon during the last decade or more."
“The isolated nature of the Serrania del Pinche within the biodiverse Choco region makes it likely that further new species await discovery,” said Luis Mazariegos-Hurtado of The Hummingbird Conservancy. “Yet a major threat to these forests exists: the increase in coca fields and ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. It is estimated that 500 hectares are lost each year.” The Choco is one of the world's most biodiverse regions but it has suffered from high rates of forest clearing for agriculture and, in Colombia, the presence of rebels who are believed to often rely on wildlife hunting for sustenance. BirdLife International says the discovery necessitates the area's conservation.
“To go undiscovered for so long, the bird’s range must be extremely small and fragile – hence conservation action is undoubtedly a priority for the Serrania del Pinche.” This is a modified news release from the Woods Hole Research Center Comments? News options News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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