The Critically Endangered Hummingbird: Blue-throated Hillstar
The Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) is a critically endangered hummingbird endemic to southwestern Ecuador, with a current estimated population of fewer than 750 individuals. Since 2018, we have been studying its ecology in collaboration with Fundación Jocotoco, Universidad del Azuay, and Universidad San Francisco de Quito to support its conservation.
Ecology and distribution of the “Critically Endangered” Blue throated Hillstar
Blue throated Hillstar
Cerro de Arcos
On the breeding biology of the Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus)
Title: On the breeding biology of the Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus)
Authors: Paul A. Molina, Daniel O. Pacheco, Agustín U. Carrasco, Boris A. Tinoco
Published in: The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Volume 132, Issue 4, 2021Title: Ecology and distribution of the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus)
Authors: Boris A. Tinoco, Juan F. Freile, Paul Molina, Agustín Carrasco, Nolberto Ordoñez, Elisa Bonaccorso
Published in: Bird Conservation International, Volume 33, 2023
🔗 Read full article (via Cambridge University Press)
Reproductive biology of birds in Ecuador
We have been studying the reproductive biology of birds in Ecuador since 2017, beginning with the first nest description of Xenodacnis parina. Currently, we are documenting additional nests and reproductive events of various bird species.
Reproductive events of birds from Southern Ecuador
Nest monitoring
Pacific Parrotlet
Title: Reproductive events of birds from Southern Ecuador
Authors: Ibeth P. Alarcón, Paul Molina Abril, María Cristina Ríos, Adrian Orihuela-Torres, Agustín Carrasco, Daniel Pacheco, Edison Juca, Ruth Arias, Carlos I. Espinosa, Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado, Héctor Cadena-Ortiz & Boris A. Tinoco
Published in: Neotropical Biodiversity, Volume 9, Issue 1, 2023Title: Primera descripción sobre la anidación del Dacnis Andino Norteño (Xenodacnis petersi)
Authors: Paul Molina Abril, Agustín Carrasco Ugalde, Xavier Iñiguez Vela, Antonio Malo Larrea
Published in: Ornitología Neotropical, Volume 30, 2019, pp. 79–83🔗https://journals.sfu.ca/ornneo/index.php/ornneo/article/view/394
Title: Nesting biology of an Ecuadorian endemic hummingbird, the endangered Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni)
Authors: Agustín Carrasco-Ugalde, Paul Molina Abril, Daniel Pacheco, Boris A. Tinoco
Published in: Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Volume 8, 2022, pp. 31–40🔗 https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/2320
Title: Anidación del Colacintillo Coliverde Lesbia nuna (Apodiformes: Trochilidae) en Azuay, Ecuador
Authors: Paul A. Molina, Ibeth P. Alarcón, Luis Curillo, Agustín Carrasco
Published in: Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Volume 7, 2021, pp. 53–60🔗https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/1917
Parasitism among birds
Brood parasitism in birds is a strategy where one species lays its eggs in the nest of another, leaving the host to raise its young. This behavior affects reproductive success and ecological interactions. Since 2023, we have been documenting and studying such cases in Ecuador to better understand these relationships.
Shiny Cowbird & Silver-beaked Tanager
Shiny Cowbird & Yellow-tailed Oriole
Title: Parasitismo de cría: nuevos eventos para el vaquero brilloso Molothrus bonariensis
Authors: Paul Molina Abril, Ángel Otavalo, Mery Juiña & Héctor Cadena-Ortiz
Published in: Revista Catalana d’Ornitologia, Volume 40, 2024, pp. 34–43
🔗https://ornitologia.org/ca/queoferim/divulgacio/publicacions/rco_pdf_2024.html
Title: Vaquero Brilloso Molothrus bonariensis y Bolsero Coliamarillo Icterus mesomelas: parasitismo de puesta
Author: Paul A. Molina
Published in: Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Vol. 8, 2022, pp. 79–80
🔗 Link: https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/2689
Migratory birds
Since 2015, we have been studying migratory birds in natural and artificial wetlands of an Andean region in southern Ecuador, generating key data on their use as resting and feeding sites.
Brazilian Teal
Black-bellied Plover
Title: Aves acuáticas en humedales artificiales en los Andes del sur del Ecuador
Authors: Paul Molina Abril, Agustín Carrasco, Daniel Pacheco-Osorio, Bernarda Vásquez-Ávila & William A. Arteaga-Chávez
Published in: Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Dossier: Memorias de la VIII Reunión Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, 2025, pp. 68–69
🔗https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/3636
