The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, which was established in 1964, has undergone significant evolution to become the foremost and extensive repository of information concerning the global extinction risk status of animal, fungal, and plant species worldwide.

After a species undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, it is categorized into one of nine classifications determined by its present conservation status.

Currently, the Trochilidae family, commonly known as hummingbirds, is significantly affected by conservation concerns, with 57 species listed below on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Anthony has photographed eighteen species designated on the IUCN Red List, showcasing his dedication to conservation and raising awareness about endangered wildlife.

Website updated on 11/2/2024

Three species on the list:

  • Brace’s Emerald Riccordia bracei (last documented in 1877)

  • Caribbean (Gould’s) Emerald Riccordia elegants (last documented in 1860)

  • Coppery Thorntail Discosura letitiae (last documented in 1852)

Extinct (EX) is a category of species where there is no doubt that the last individual has died. A taxon is considered Extinct when thorough searches in its known and expected habitat, at the right times (day, season, year), across its historic range have not found any individuals.

Eight species on the list:

  • Blue-throated Hillstar Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus

  • Chilean Woodstar Eulidia yarrellii

  • Gorgeted Puffleg Eriocnemis isabellae

  • Guanacaste or Alfero's Hummingbird Amazilia alfaroana (possibly extinct, last seen 1895)

  • Juan Fernandez Firecrown Sephanoides fernandensis

  • Santa Marta Sabrewing Campylopterus phainopeplus

  • Short-crested Coquette Lophornis brachylophus

  • Turquoise-throated Puffleg Eriocnemis godini (possibly extinct, last seen 1963)

Critically Endangered (CR) is a category containing those species that possess an extremely high risk of extinction as a result of rapid population declines of 80 to more than 90 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 50 individuals, or other factors.

Short-crested Coquette
Lophornis brachylophus
Endemic to Mexico
Status - CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

Endangered (EN) is a designation applied to species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of rapid population declines of 50 to more than 70 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 250 individuals, or other factors.

Twelve species on the list:

  • Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis

  • Blue-bearded Helmetcrest Oxypogon cyanolaemus

  • Blue-capped or Oaxaca Hummingbird Eupherusa cyanophrys

  • Colorful Puffleg Eriocnemis mirabilis

  • Dusky or Glittering Starthroat Coeligena orina

  • Glow-throated Hummingbird Selasphorus ardens

  • Grey-bellied Comet Taphrolesbia griseiventris

  • Long-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania watertonii

  • Mangrove Hummingbird Amazilia boucardi

  • Perija Starfrontlet Coeligena consita

  • Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird Chrysuronia lilliae

  • Scissor-tailed Hummingbird Hylonympha macrocerca

Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Oxypogon cyanolaemus
Endemic to Colombia
Status - ENDANGERED

Vulnerable (VU) is a category containing those species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of rapid population declines of 30 to more than 50 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 1,000 individuals, or other factors.

Thirteen species on the list:

  • Black Inca Coeligena prunellei

  • Buffy Helmetcrest Oxypogon stuebelii

  • Esmeraldas Woodstar Chaetocercus berlepschi

  • Honduran Emerald Amazilia luciae

  • Hook-billed Hermit Glaucis dohrnii

  • Mexican Woodnymph Eupherusa ridgwayi

  • Outcrop Sabrewing Campylopterus calcirupicola

  • Purple-backed Sunbeam Aglaeactis aliciae

  • Santa Marta Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps

  • Tapajos Hermit Phaethornis aethopygus

  • Tolima Blossomcrown Anthocephala berlepschi

  • Venezuelan Sylph Aglaiocercus berlepschi

  • Violet-throated Metaltail Metallura baroni

Hook-billed Hermit
Glaucis dohrnii
Endemic to Brazil
Status - VULNERABLE

Near Threatened (NT) is a designation applied to species that are close to becoming threatened or may meet the criteria for threatened status soon.

Twenty species on the list:

Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae
Endemic to Cuba
Status - Near Threatened