Other Scientific Names
Acestrura berlepschi [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Acestrura berlepschi [Stotz et al. (1996)], Acestrura berlepschi [Collar and Andrew (1988)], Acestrura berlepschi [Collar et al. (1994)], Acestrura berlepschi [BirdLife International (2000)], Acestrura berlepschi [BirdLife International (2004)]
Habitat
Lowland, evergreen, moist forest, the canopy of semi-humid secondary growth, secondary deciduous and semi-deciduous forest, evergreen premontane forest. From sea-level - 200 m, occasionally to 500 m.
Pacific slope of Andes of western Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas).
Population
Estimated population is 250 - 999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through logging and agricultural clearance, grazing by goats and cattle that damages the understorey, prevents regeneration, uncontrolled forest fires, illegal settlement, deforestation, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A series of rapid 'chit-cheet' and 'chit-chit-cheet' calls.
Esmeraldas Woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) [XC512442]
by id from Las Tunas, Manab\u00ed, Ecuador (call)
Esmeraldas Woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) [XC17425]
by Andrew Spencer from Ayampe, Manabi, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
Usually placed in genus Acestrura, along with White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant), Little Woodstar (Chaetocercus bombus), Gorgeted Woodstar (Chaetocercus heliodor) and Santa Marta Woodstar (Chaetocercus astreans), but no evidence in external morphology justifies treatment in a genus separate from Rufous-shafted Woodstar (Chaetocercus jourdanii). "Chaetocercus harterti", known only from type specimen from Colombia, may be of hybrid origin.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet