Safeguarding suitable habitats for Niceforo’s wren and chestnut-bellied hummingbird in Colombia

Marcela Beltran

Niceforo’s wren and chestnut-bellied hummingbird are two endemic and Endangered birds inhabiting riparian forests located in the Chicamocha Canyon dry forest of Colombia. These species are threatened by habitat loss caused by overgrazing of cattle, mining and monocrops. Our objective is to involve local communities in the protection of suitable habitats for those species, increasing their awareness about the importance of these places as sources of fresh water. We will identify suitable habitats for both species using geographical distribution models, analyze territorial perception of local communities and involve stakeholders through workshops on biodiversity conservation. This work will help in designing feasible alternatives to protect the habitat of these species and water supplies for communities.