Dusky Starfrontlet
Photo: Dusky Starfrontlet, Fundación ProAves |
The Challenge
The Dusky Starfrontlet has a very restricted range in tiny forest fragments at Páramo de Frontino and Farallones del Citara in northwest Colombia. This area contains rich deposits of gold, zinc, and copper, which have attracted the attention of mining companies. Political instability in this region has prevented exploitation of these resources to date. The future expansion of mining remains a serious potential threat. The area is largely unprotected and is suffering from continued deforestation. As more people move into the area, habitat loss and degradation continue to be an ever-growing threat to the Starfrontlet.
ABC Conservation Framework
Efforts to save this species comes under Safeguarding the Rarest within ABC's Conservation Framework |
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Primary Birds Impacted
Dusky Starfrontlet, Rusty-faced Parrot, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, and the newly-discovered Fenwick’s Antpitta
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Fenwick's Antpitta_Colibri by Fundacion ProAves |
Solutions
Ensure the protection of the Dusky Starfrontlet by creating a protected area, engaging community support for conservation, and develop long-term funding mechanisms for the management of the reserve.
ABC Results
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In 2005, ABC and its partner Fundación ProAves created the Colibrí del Sol Reserve. The reserve is now 11,322 acres of páramo and upper montane cloud forest
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In 2010, a conservation plan was developed for the reserve
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Two new bird species have been recently discovered at the reserve, one of which, Fenwick’s Antpitta, was named after ABC President George Fenwick and his family
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Improvements have been made to the reserve field station that can now house researchers and park guards.
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Preliminary botanical studies have resulted in the discovery of numerous new plant species, including a distinctive new páramo plant, Espeletia frontinoensis
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What Next?
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Protect the Dusky Starfrontlet and other rare species by acquiring 5,000 additional acres of páramo forest
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Secure a management agreement with the local municipality to protect a further 3,000 acres to consolidate the Dusky Starfrontlet Bird Reserve
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Begin reforestation of degraded habitat and begin creating a habitat corridor to Orquídeas National Park.
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