The tiny, beautiful Chilean woodstar is a hummingbird endemic to Chile and Peru. While it has always had a limited population distribution, it was once locally abundant. The 1970s marked a steep decline for the species due to both habitat loss and potential poisoning by Dimethoate, a potent insecticide used to control Mediterranean fruit flies. Pesticides are still being used in the habitat of this hummingbird and continue to affect its reproduction.
In 1980, the International Council for Bird Preservation petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Chilean woodstar under the Endangered Species Act. Finally, after 30 years and extensive Center legal involvement, in 2010 the Service announced it would grant the little bird the federal safeguards it needs.
Get the latest on our work for biodiversity and learn how to help in our free weekly e-newsletter. |
KEY DOCUMENTS
2010
Federal Endangered Species Act listing announcement
2008 Federal Endangered Species Act listing proposal
2008 Federal notice that species warrants listing
2007 Annual notice finding that species warrants listing
2004 Warranted-but-precluded finding
1984 12-Month finding that the species warrants listing
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROFILE
MEDIA
Press releases
Search our newsroom for the Chilean woodstar
RELATED ISSUES
International Program
International Birds Initiative
Contact: Jacki Lopez