Juan Fernandez Firecrown Sephanoides fernandensis Scientific name definitions

The Juan Fernandez Firecrown is a large, striking hummingbird endemic to the Juan Fernández Archipelago in Chile. Currently, the species is restricted to Isla Robinson Crusoe, where it relies on dwindling native forest habitat for breeding and foraging. Males are entirely cinnamon-orange, with a fiery reddish-yellow iridescent crown. Females are green above, with an iridescent blue crown patch, white below with round greenish spots, and largely white tails. It nests almost exclusively in endemic luma trees (Myrceugenia fenandeziana), where females lay clutches of 2 eggs. It typically breeds from August–November (austral spring), and forages on arthropods and nectar of native plants, including the endemic col de Juan Fernández (Dendroseris litoralis), juan bueno (Rhaphithamnus venustus), and madera dura (Sophora fernandeziana), with which it likely co-evolved. Some introduced plants, such as Eucalyptus globulus, provide high-quality nectar sources, but other common invasive plants on Isla Robinson Crusoe provide inadequate nectar to support this large species. When foraging, it often clings to flowers rather than hovering. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, and Endangered by Chile. Different methods have produced differing population estimates, from “tens of thousands” to only 250 individuals, but the most current and quantitative estimates are in the range of approximately 1,000–3,000 individuals. The species is threatened by replacement of native forest by invasive plant species (especially Rubus ulmifolius and Aristotelia chilensis), mortality from introduced predators (including cats, coati, and rats), and habitat degradation from herbivory by introduced mammals (especially European rabbits). It potentially competes with the closely related Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephaniodes), which probably naturally colonized the island in the 1800s, but the extent and impacts of competition are unclear. Simultaneous conservation actions are urgently needed to prevent extinction of the species, including restoration of native forest, control of invasive plants, and eradication of invasive mammals such as cats, coatis, and rabbits.