Endemic or regionally extinct? Reappraising the distribution and conservation status of two near-endemic bird species from Colombia

Summary

Species are considered endemic when restricted to a given region, but endemism can also arise after extirpation from a formerly broader range. Recognising this distinction matters for interpreting conservation status and defining national responsibilities. Here, I examine this distinction in two near-endemic bird species in northern South America: the Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis in Colombia and Ecuador, and the Hooded Antpitta Grallaricula cucullata in Colombia and Venezuela. The Yellow-eared Parrot is a clear case in which endemic status arises through regional extirpation. Applying extinction-date estimators to historical sighting records strongly supports the conclusion that the species was extirpated from Ecuador in the early 2000s. On this basis, I propose “Endemic (Relictual)” as the appropriate designation for the Yellow-eared Parrot in Colombia, and recommend this term for any taxon whose endemism results from extirpation elsewhere in its historically documented range. In contrast, the case of the Hooded Antpitta is far less certain. In Venezuela, the species is known only from two specimens collected in 1955 in the Tamá Massif, which were described as the subspecies venezuelana. However, the validity of this subspecies remains contested, and the extent of its range is unclear: it may be restricted to Venezuela or extend into the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. Under this broader interpretation, there are no records of venezuelana in either region for the past three decades, although extinction-date estimators suggest persistence. Ultimately, targeted fieldwork is needed to determine whether the Hooded Antpitta survives in Venezuela or should instead be considered Endemic (Relictual) in Colombia. Together, these case studies highlight the importance of reappraising national occurrence records to better inform cross-border conservation efforts.