North-central Colombia on western slope of central Andes (Quindío) and in eastern Andes (south-eastern Santander, western Boyacá, western Cundinamarca).
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation through human settlement and urbanisation, with associated logging and agricultural land-use, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei) [XC273414]
by Simon Mills from RNA Reinita Cielo Azul, San Vicente de Chucur\u00ed, Santander, Colombia, 1900m, N, Colombia (call)
Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei) [XC91761]
by Oswaldo Cortes from Rogitama (Reserva Principe de Arcabuco), Colombia (song)
Subspecies
Relationships uncertain within the complex containing Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni), Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei), Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata) and Gould's Inca (Coeligena inca). Further study is required. Forms a superspecies with Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni). Taxonomic status of "Coeligena assimilis" uncertain: could represent a valid subspecies of present species or a variation. Further study is required. "Coeligena purpurea", from Popayan (south-central Colombia), may be hybrid with Bronzy Inca (Coeligena coeligena). Alternatively, might be a dark variety of Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet