The International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, Red List of Threatened Species is the world’s leading source of information on global extinction risk for animals, plants, and fungi. Established in 1964, it evaluates wildlife and places each species into one of nine categories based on its conservation status.

Hummingbirds in the Trochilidae family are also facing growing conservation pressure. At present, 58 hummingbird species appear on the IUCN Red List.

Conservation is a central focus of Anthony’s work photographing hummingbirds around the world. Anthony has photographed 28 species on the IUCN Red List, helping raise awareness about endangered hummingbirds and the need to protect their habitats.

Website updated on 10/30/2025

Conservation status chart showing percentages of species in different risk categories, with Least Concern at 79.3% and Endangered at 3.3%.
Flowchart illustrating the IUCN Red List categories of species extinction risk, from Not Evaluated to Extinct, with increasing risk marked by a red arrow, source IUCN Red List.
Close-up of a black circular object with the white letters 'EX' in the center, and a 'GREATIST' and 'REDDIT LIST' logo in the top right corner.

Four 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)

  • Juan Fernández Firecrown (subspecies), Sephanoides fernandensis leyboldi (Extinct around 1900)

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.

Red circular logo with white letters 'CR' and a small badge in the top right corner indicating 'GREAT LIST'

Eight species on the list:

  • Blue-throated Hillstar Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus

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.

Colorful hummingbird perched on a thin branch, with vibrant green background.

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

Orange circle with white text reading 'EN' and the Red List logo at the top right.

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

A bird perched on a succulent plant with a blurred background.

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

Yellow circle with 'VU' and 'REDDIT LIST' icons

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

A hummingbird in mid-flight with its wings spread wide and beak pointed downward, against a blurred gradient background.

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

Green circular sign with white letters 'NT' and a RED LIST logo at the top right

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 Two species on the list:

A colorful hummingbird in mid-flight, with iridescent feathers on its head, throat, and tail, and a blurred pastel green background.

Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae
Endemic to Cuba
Status - Near Threatened