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Description
This October I tried to draw endangered bird species each day, focusing on representing one or more of the factors contributing to their endangerment. I missed some days, so I'm circling back to finish.

TODAY'S BIRD: The Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), found in only two small regions in Ecuador's Andean cloud forests, was recently downlisted form critically endangered to endangered. So, while the species is still at extremely high risk of extinction, conservation efforts are making a difference! The main danger to this extremely rare hummingbird is habitat loss due to deforestation (Birdlife.org reports that about 93% of the habitat in its historic range had been lost by 2003). Deforestation, in turn, is driven primarily by the need for charcoal fuel and grazing land. Conservation efforts have included organizations purchasing land and creating preserves for the species, as well as local programs to discourage small-scale charcoal production and encourage nature and community tourism.

Materials: Micron pigma pens (005, 05), sharpie, and gray alcohol marker on smooth Bristol paper, 8x5 inches.

Description
This October I tried to draw endangered bird species each day, focusing on representing one or more of the factors contributing to their endangerment. I missed some days, so I'm circling back to finish.

TODAY'S BIRD: The Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), found in only two small regions in Ecuador's Andean cloud forests, was recently downlisted form critically endangered to endangered. So, while the species is still at extremely high risk of extinction, conservation efforts are making a difference! The main danger to this extremely rare hummingbird is habitat loss due to deforestation (Birdlife.org reports that about 93% of the habitat in its historic range had been lost by 2003). Deforestation, in turn, is driven primarily by the need for charcoal fuel and grazing land. Conservation efforts have included organizations purchasing land and creating preserves for the species, as well as local programs to discourage small-scale charcoal production and encourage nature and community tourism.

Materials: Micron pigma pens (005, 05), sharpie, and gray alcohol marker on smooth Bristol paper, 8x5 inches.