Scarlet-breasted Dacnis Dacnis berlepschi Scientific name definitions

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is currently listed as Vulnerable based on IUCN criteria. Habitat loss within the core part of the species's small range, which is confined to the Chocó of southwest Colombia and extreme northwest Ecuador, has been extensive, and the rate of this destruction appears to be increasing. The species is found from sea level to 1200 m, but usually well below this upper limit. Arguably the most beautiful of the entire genus, the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis should be instantly recognizable in both male and female plumage. The male is mostly azure-blue, with silvery streaking on the mantle and a silver-blue rump, and a flame-red lower breast grading to buff on the belly. Females are brown, becoming more buffy below, but identified by the paler flame-red band over the breast; both sexes have yellow irides.

The genus name Dacnis comes from the Greek word "Daknis", which is an unspecified type of bird from Egypt (Jobling 2010). The specific epithet "berlepschi" is a patronym honoring the German ornithologist Hans Hermann Carl Ludwig Graf von Berlepsch who specialized in the Neotropical avifauna (Jobling 2010). In Spanish the common name is Dacnis Pechiescarleta or Dacnis Pechirrojo (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, de Juana et al. 2012).

Like all species of Dacnis the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is small, active, with a thin pointed bill, but the plumage is perhaps the most distinctive in the genus. Both sexes are adorned with scarlet cummerbunds fading orange to yellow below, and both have conspicuous yellow irises. The adult male is primarily hyacinth blue dorsally as well as on the upper breast and throat. On the mantle and back these blue feather are silvery-blue along the shaft giving them a streaked appearance.

The adult male has a forehead and mask blackish which is often not discernible (Hilty and Brown 1986, Hilty 2011). The throat, chin, jugulum, crown and nape are bright hyacinth blue (Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The mantle, back, and scapulars are also hyacinth blue, with bright silvery-blue streaks along the shafts (Hilty 2011). The rump is lighter and unstreaked silvery blue (Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The tail is black narrowly edged pale blue (Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The flight feathers are black, with inconspicuous dull blue edging, which is most extensive on the tertials (Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The back and upper wing coverts are strongly streaked light silvery blue, to a lesser extent on the crown (Hilty and Brown 1986, Hilty 2011). Across the breast is a broad band of fiery red, bleeding into yellow on the lower breast which continues to fade to whitish buff from the center of the belly to the undertail coverts (Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The thighs are blackish (Hartert 1901). Both adult sexes have yellow irises, blackish to black bills, and dark gray to blackish legs and feet (Hartert 1900, Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011). The female dorsally is primarily plain brown to dark sepia-brown including the wing coverts and flight feathers, brighter on the rump, with an ashy-gray tinge on the forehead (Hartert 1900, Hilty 2011). The flight feathers are narrowly edged sepia-brown outwardly and slightly grayer inwardly (Hartert 1900). The throat is light brown to a broad and diffuse fiery-red to reddish-orange wash across the breast, fading to rusty-brown flanks laterally and to rusty buff to buffy white belly and undertail coverts (Hartert 1900, Hilty and Brown 1986, Hilty 2011). The underwing coverts and axillaries are cream colored and the the tail is dark brown (Hartert 1900). Juveniles resemble the adult female but have brown instead of yellow eyes (Hilty 2011). Though adult male and female are obviously distinct, the are likely even more so to the birds themselves, for they are highly dichromatic from an avian visual perspective (Burns and Shultz 2012).

The adult male is unmistakable, but reminiscent of the Blue-backed Conebill (Conirostrum sitticolor), which is found at higher elevations, is much less bright red on the breast, and lacks the silvery-blue streaking on the mantle (Hilty and Brown 1986). The adult female is also easily discriminated, readily separated from other Dacnis species by the reddish-orange wash on the breast (Hilty and Brown 1986). The female could conceivably be mistaken for a female or juvenile male Crimson-breasted Finch (Rhodospingus cruentus), though the habitat preferences for these birds are very different (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). The female Scarlet-breasted Dacnis has a yellow eye, more contrast between the brown upper and more strikingly red lower breast, and a thinner bill; whereas the female Crimson-breasted Finch has a dark reddish eye, a smoother transition from brown to duller red on the upper breast, and a thicker bill (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001).

Tanagers that have been studied have either a Complex Basic Strategy or Complex Alternative Strategy (Ryder and Wolfe 2009). However, most tanagers only molt once a year, and this prebasic molt likely occurs after the breeding season (Isler and Isler 1987, Ryder and Wolfe 2009). Many species have been found to breed in subadult plumage (Isler and Isler 1987). The performative molt is partial in Dacnis (Ryder and Wolfe 2009). Although an immature plumage is described for Scarlet-breasted Dacnis (Hilty 2011), more specific information on molt and its timing is not available for this species.

For both sexes the iris is yellow in adults, brown in young birds (Hitly 2011). The bill is black to blackish, and the legs and feet are dark grey to black (Hartert 1900, Hartert 1901, Hilty 2011).

The total length is about 12 cm (Hilty and Brown 1986). Male measurements include wing: 67 mm, tail: 50 mm, mandible: 14 mm, and metatarsus: 15 mm (Hartert 1901). Reported female measurements are smaller, with wing: 61-62 mm, tail: 42 mm, mandible: 12 mm, and metatarsus: 15 mm (Hartert 1900, Hartert 1901). Mass has apparently never been reported for this species.

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis (Dacnis berlepschi) is monotypic (Dickinson and Christidis 2014, Clements et al. 2015).

Dacnis berepschi Hartert, 1900, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club (11): 37
Type Locality: Lita, northwestern Ecuador

The most comprehensive phylogenetic systematic interrogation of Dacnis species was not able to sample the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis. Thus, molecular systematics has not been able to test the hypothesis that the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is indeed a species of Dacnis (Burns et al. 2014). The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is morphologically quite different from other species in the genus, and Burns (et al. 2014) regarded its placement as uncertain. Superficially its plumage resembles that of the Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina), which is placed in Diglossinae (Burns et al. 2014). In addition, Storer (1970) doubted whether Dacnis berlepschi was closely related to other species of Dacnis, and Wolters (1975–1982) considered Xenodacnis parina and D. berlepschi closely related, placing both within the genus Xenodacnis. Following current taxonomy, the genus Dacnis includes the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis and 8 others species in the genus (Burns et al. 2016). Within Thraupidae (tanagers), Dacnis is placed in the subfamily Dacninae along with the Swallow Tanager (Tersina viridis) and Cyanerpes honeycreepers, though how these genera are related to each other remains unsupported (Burns et al. 2003, Burns et al. 2014). The genera Dacnis and Cyanerpes were previously considered members of the Neotropical "nectar-feeding family" Coerebidae (e.g., Sclater 1886, Hellmayr 1935), however many of these species have been shown to have converged on a similar morphology due to nectar feeding. Early researchers noticed that some coerebids shared similar morphological features with tanagers, such as horny palates, skull morphology, jaw muscles, and plumage similarities (Beecher 1951, Tordoff 1954, Storer 1969). Molecular data has confirmed these early hypotheses, and the Coerebidae has been largely rejected with Dacnis now placed in the Thraupidae (Isler and Isler 1987, Burns et al. 2003).

There are no known fossils for this species.

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis (Dacnis berlepschi) is endemic to the southern part of the Chocó Rainforest Center of Endemism in the Northern Andes Zoogeographic Region (Meyer de Schauensee 1951, Haffer 1975, Cracraft 1985, Parker et al. 1996, Strewe 2003). Within this range, it is rare to uncommon to locally common and patchily distributed (Meyer de Schauensee 1951, Parker et al. 1996, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). It has a small historic distribution of only 26,100 km², with about 31% of this distribution in Colombia and 69% in Ecuador (Chaparro-Herrera et al. 2013, BirdLife International 2017). In Colombia, it is historically known as far north as La Guayacana, Nariño, and in Ecuador from Esmeraldas, Imbabura, and Pichincha (Carriker 1959, Storer 1970, Birdlife International 2017). In Ecuador it has been recorded from as far south as Río Palenque, where it was first reported in 1979, but apparently has not been seen from there in over two decades (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, eBird 2012). Throughout their range, their distribution is heavily fragmented with evidence of extirpation from previously known areas; it apparently hasn't been seen in Colombia since 1991 (Strewe 2003, eBird 2012, Múnera 2014), and before this observation no Colombian observations since before 1980 (Stattersfield and Capper 2000). Also, it was reported in Colombia above Junín in west Nariño along the road to Tumaco (Ridgely and Tudor 1989). The largest populations appear to be in northwest Pichincha along the road north of Simón Bolívar near Pedro Vicente Maldonado, and at Playa de Oro in north Esmeraldas, both in Ecuador (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). It is restricted to the Cis-Andean Pacific Lowlands and low in the adjacent submontane Andean foothills (Collar et al. 1997). The center of elevation distribution extends from the lowlands of about 200 m to as high as about 1,300 m (Meyer de Schauensee 1951, Hilty and Brown 1986, Parker et al. 1996, Strewe 2003), with most reports below 800 m (e.g., Jahn and Valenzuela 2006, Jahn 2011), and perhaps most numerous in the remaining habitat lower than 250 m (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). Reports from higher elevations may be seasonal (Hilty 2011).

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is endemic to South America, known only from extreme northwestern Ecuador and adjacent western Colombia.

The historic range for this species has been severely fragmented, and populations within this range have been extirpated. At the margins of their distribution, to the north they haven't been seen in Colombia, and to the south along the Río Palenque, Ecuador in over two decades (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Strewe 2003, eBird 2012, Múnera 2014).

Parker et al. (1996) lists the primary habitat of the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis as humid Tropical Lowland Evergreen Forest (Parker et al. 1996, Múnera 2014). It can also be found in secondary forests (Parker et al. 1996), but is strongly associated and primarily reported from pristine forests (Múnera 2014). Within these pristine forests, it may seek relatively open areas such as tree fall gaps, ridges, river borders, and edges (Hilty and Brown 1986, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Hilty 2011, Múnera 2014). For example, it was reported from a pristine foothill forest along a ridge near the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, Ecuador (Jahn 2011). Within these forests it is primarily found in the canopy, occasionally foraging to the sub-canopy or lower at edges (Parker et al. 1996, Hilty 2011, Múnera 2014).

The Sclarlet-breasted Dacnis is probably omnivorous like other species in the genus, feeding on insects, small fruits, and perhaps nectar (Hilty and Brown 2001, Hilty 2011). For example, it has been observed eating the Müllerian bodies of Cecropia (Urticaceae) as well as aggregating with other insectivorous birds foraging on flying insects attracted to Trichospermum sp. (Tiliaceae) flowers at the forest edge (Múnera 2014). This species will join mixed-species flocks and forage in the canopy to sub-canopy (Múnera 2014).

Very little has been reported on foraging behavior in this species. The are about equally reported singly, or pairs, or small family groups as they are with mixed-species foraging flocks (Hilty 2011). They appear to prefer foraging in dense foliage within the canopy or lower at edges when these areas have dense vegetation (Hilty 2011). They are reported to call rapidly when foraging (Restall et al. 2006), and to catch insect aerially (Múnera 2014).

The song is a fast, high and evenly pitched, series of tsitsitsitsitsitsitsiti, perhaps a harsher tsiTsiTsiTsiTsiTsiTsiTsiT when agitated (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). Their call is tz or tze, which can be repeated in succession when foraging (Restall et al. 2006). Begging juveniles also rapidly repeat a high-pitched shrill tsitsitsitsitsitsitsiti. Additional audio recordings of vocalizations of White-bellied Dacnis can be heard at xeno-canto.

Nonvocal sounds have not been reported.

Very little is known about the behavior in this species. They have been observed preening high in the forest canopy . When foraging, they will call continuously tz or tze often repeated in succession (Restall et al. 2006).

There is no information on territoriality in this species.

Nothing is known about sexual behavior in this species. Adults have been observed feeding young (Solano-Ugalde et al. 2007, Múnera 2014).

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is usually seen in pairs, but also often associate with mixed-species foraging flocks (Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). They have been observed in small family groups, and were observed with other insectivorous birds aerially consuming insects attracted to flowers (Múnera 2014).

Predation on this species has not been reported.

The southern Chocó has abundant year-round rainfall, but from August to November is especially wet, and the majority of breeding reports are during or shortly after this span, although there is conflicting information in the literature. In Ecuador, an adult was observed feeding young in December and an immature male was observed in October (Múnera 2014). An adult was observed offering food to young on 15 August in Esmeraldas, Ecuador (Solano-Ugalde et al. 2007). However, Hilty (2011) reports that family groups with juveniles and immature individuals are most regularly observed in the dry season (June to November).

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis has long been considered rare (Meyer de Schauensee 1951). Total population estimates vary, with some reports as low as 2,500-9,999 total individuals (Vogt and Ahlman 2006), to as high as 35,400-141,600 individuals (BirdLife International 2017). Suspected population declines of 30% have occurred over the last decade, and this trend is expected to continue (BirdLife International 2017).

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis is considered Vulnerable globally by most researchers and by most criteria, likely not higher due to it having occasionally been reported from secondary forests (Collar et al. 1994, Granizo et al. 2002, Múnera 2014, BirdLife International 2017). It does not satisfy all criteria to be listed as Endangered in Colombia, despite only a single 1991 report in the country since before 1980, and is officially listed as Vulnerable (Stattersfield and Capper 2000, eBird 2012, Múnera 2014); it received this designation due to having a restricted range, a severely fragmented habitat, and a low number of mature individuals (Múnera 2014). Parker et al. (1996) considered this species of "medium" conservation priority relative to other Neotropical birds, whereas other researchers have assigned a "high" conservation priority (Freile and Rodas 2008).

The Scarlet-breasted Dacnis has seen declines in both population and range due to human-caused habitat destruction and modification (Collar et al. 1997, BirdLife International 2017). There has been severe fragmentation of the remaining habitat, and the sources of this fragmentation includes the building of new roads and subsequent development, intensive logging often coupled with conversion to oil palm plantations, cattle ranching and silvoculture, and the production of illicit crops (Vogt and Ahlman 2006, Múnera 2014). Parker et al. (1996) considered the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis to have a "Medium" degree of sensitivity to human disturbance relative to other Neotropical birds. Accelerating deforestation has reduced primary forest within the range of this species by 38% over the last decade, with an estimated population decline of 30% over that same period (BirdLife International 2017). In Colombia, an estimated 27.5% of the potential habitat for this species had already been lost, with a further 7.16% loss projected from 2000-2010 (Múnera 2014). New mining concessions within the habitat of this species presents further potential threats (Vogt and Ahlman 2006).

Conservation efforts have highlighted the importance this beautiful species of tanager could have on local economies via ecotourism (Erazo Álvarez 2014). Specific conservation efforts and goals have been developed for Ecuador with the Plan de Manejo Foresta Comunitaria Playa de Oro (Jahn 2003). This species is known (currently and/or historically) from the following protected areas: Colombia: Río Ñambi Community Nature Reserve (Vogt and Ahlman 2006), El Pangán Nature Reserve (BirdLife International 2017); Ecuador: Awá Forest Reserve Zone, Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve, Jatun Sacha Bisca Biological Station, and Río Palenque Scientific Center (Vogt and Ahlman 2006); Playa de Oro Reserva de Los Tigres, Reserva Río Canande, Reserva Mangaloma, and Río Silanche Bird Sanctuary (eBird 2012); Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve (Sarmiento et al. 2008); Biological Corridor Awacachi, and Gran Reserva Cachi (Hilty 2011).

It is important to conduct thorough seasonal surveys throughout the range of the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis to gain a better understanding of potential seasonal movements and identify forests with populations to precisely determine conservation areas (Vogt and Ahlman 2006, Chaparro-Herrera et al. 2013). Further, it is also important to establish conservation corridors between protected populations, such as between Awá Forest Reserve and the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve (Vogt and Ahlman 2006). It is imperative to gain a better understanding of the ecological requirements of this species so that conservation biologists can manage food sources and nesting habitats (Stattersfield and Capper 2000). Parker et al. (1996) list the research priority as "medium" compared to other Neotropical birds. Additionally, it is possible that the Scarlet-breasted Dacnis occupies a unique phylogenetic space within the tanager phylogeny, with some authors (e.g., Storer 1970, Wolters 1975-1982) suggesting it is more closely related to the Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina). Thus, attaining molecular data to test these various evolutionary relationship hypotheses would inform researchers as to the evolutionary distinctiveness of this species and help elucidate evolutionary trends within tanagers in general (Burns et al. 2014).