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Three species of birds from Latin America and the Caribbean will be protected by the Endangered Species Act under a final rule published in the August 17, 2010  Federal Register by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The birds that will be added to the endangered species list include the Andean flamingo, native to Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru; the Chilean woodstar, native to river valleys in Peru and Chile; and the St. Lucia forest thrush, endemic to the island of St. Lucia in the West Indies.

“This listing will help the United States work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to conserve and protect these foreign species,” said Acting Service Director Rowan Gould.

Andean Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus, at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Gloucestershire, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in 2006. From the Wikimedia Commons.

Andean flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus) are long-lived birds that are native to low, medium, and high altitude wetlands in the Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. This waterbird can also reach an adult height of 3.5 feet (ft).

Male Chilean Woodstar. Photograph by Cristian Estades USFWS

The Chilean woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii),  is a small hummingbird, no larger than the size of a moth, which resides in areas like desert river valleys, while the St. Lucia forest thrush (Cichlhermina lherminieri sanctaeluciae) is a medium-sized bird that mainly occupies mid- and high-altitude forest habitats.

The primary factors causing the population decline of these species include habitat alteration from urbanization and mining activities, predation, agricultural practices such as pesticide spraying, land use conversion, and road development.

The addition of a foreign species to the Federal list of threatened and endangered species places restrictions on the importation of either the animal or its parts.  Listing also serves to heighten awareness of the importance of conserving these species among foreign governments, conservation organizations and the public.

Note: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

This news is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 19 August 2010.