Gorgeted Puffleg

For years, with tongue in cheek, I've mentioned that the main reason there are so many animals and plants on the Endangered Species List is because the universities are graduating too many biologists.

Regularly, new science graduates eagerly head off into the wilderness and find something that has never been seen before and, automatically, the plant or animal is declared rare and in need of protection.

Therefore, this news is not surprising.

A NEW hummingbird species discovered in a cloud forest in Colombia already needs protection from humans, according to the experts who found the bird.

Called the gorgeted puffleg, the new species, with a blue and green throat, measures between 90 and 100 millimetres.

The bird was found in Serrania del Pinche, in southwest Colombia, by scientists looking for new amphibians. Already, there is discussion of necessity for a protected habitat.

By the way, the bird is called gorgeted because of the little colored patch displayed on its throat.