News Animals

A new species of high-altitude hummingbird may already be in trouble

Scientists estimate there are fewer than 750 of these birds living in the Ecuadorean Andes

blue-throated Hillstar hummingbird

HIGH FLIER  The newly discovered blue-throated Hillstar hummingbird can survive harsh conditions in the Ecuadorian Andes, thanks to its adaptations for high altitude.

F. Sornoza

By Jennifer Leman

This article is only available to Science News subscribers.

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address to access our archives.

Not a subscriber?

Science News is a nonprofit.

Support us by subscribing now.

More Stories from Science News on Animals

  1. male superb lyrebird with feathers spread
    Animals

    A single male lyrebird can mimic the sound of an entire flock

    By Jake Buehler
  2. giraffes eating together
    Animals

    Having more friends may help female giraffes live longer

    By Susan Milius
  3. Liolaemus tacnae
    Animals

    A mountain lizard in Peru broke the reptilian altitude record

    By Jake Buehler
  4. Jesse Laney and other ecologists on a birdwatching trip
    Animals

    A rare bird sighting doesn’t lead to seeing more kinds of rare birds

    By Anushree Dave
  5. gray cat playing with cat toy
    Life

    Meatier meals and more playtime might reduce cats’ toll on wildlife

    By Jonathan Lambert
  6. Brookesia nana chameleon on a person's thumb
    Animals

    A new chameleon species may be the world’s tiniest reptile

    By Jonathan Lambert
  7. mall Steatoda spider hoisting a lizard
    Animals

    How a tiny spider uses silk to lift prey 50 times its own weight

    By Susan Milius
  8. an illustration of a Brontosaurus
    Animals

    50 years ago, scientists made the case for a landlubbing Brontosaurus

    By Bethany Brookshire

From the Nature Index

Paid Content