Wire-crested thorntail

Discosura popelairii

Photo by Niels Dreyer (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
wire-crested thorntail (en); bandeirinha-de-Popelaire (pt); coquette de Popelaire (fr); rabudito crestado (es); haubenfadenelfe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found along the eastern slopes of the Andes, from central Colombia to southern Peru.

Size:
These birds are sexually dimorphic. The females are 7,5-8 cm long, while the males are up to 11,5 cm long including the elongated tail feathers. They weigh about 2,5 g.

Habitat:
The wire-crested thorntail is found in moist tropical forests at altitudes of 400-1.200 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar, particularly of Inga trees, but also take some arthropods.

Breeding:
The is little information about the reproduction of wire-crested thorntails. One nest was found in Colombia, in April, placed at the end of a tree branch about 8 m above the ground.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a large breeding range but is described as generally rare to uncommon. Although there is no data on population trends, the wire-crested thorntail is suspected to lose 28% of suitable habitat within its range over the next decade based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, being therefore suspected to suffer a moderately rapid decline in the near future.

Copper-rumped hummingbird

Amazilia tobaci

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
copper-rumped hummingbird (en); beija-flor-de-uropígio-acobreado (pt); ariane de Félicie (fr); amazilia de Tobago (es); kupferbürzelamazilie (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of northern, central and eastern Venezuela, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago.

Size:
These birds are 8,5-11 cm long and weigh 4-5 g.

Habitat:
The copper-rumped hummingbird is found in all forest habitats available within its range, including gallery forests, rainforests, cloudforests, mangroves and dry savannas. They also use second growths, plantation, rural gardens and urban areas. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of a wide range of plants, particularly Erythrina and Calliandra.

Breeding:
Copper-rumped hummingbirds breed in November-July. They are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females and having no further part in the breeding process. The female builds the nest alone, a tiny cup made of plant fibres and moss, and lined with soft plant fibres, hairs and feather down. It is usually placed on an horizontal branch, low in a tree or scrub. She lays 2 white eggs which she incubated alone for 16-17 days. The chicks fledge 19-23 days after hatching. Each female can raise yp to 3 broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common.

Reddish hermit

Phaethornis ruber

Photo by João Quental (Flickr)

Common name:
reddish hermit (en); rabo-branco-rubro (pt); ermite roussâtre (fr); ermitaño rojizo (es); roter zwergschattenkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found in northern South America, east of the Andes, from southern and eastern Colombia east to Suriname and eastern Brazil, and south to central Bolivia and Mato Grosso, Goiás and São Paulo in Brazil.

Size:
These tiny hummingbirds are 7,5-9 cm long and weigh 1,8-3 g.

Habitat:
The reddish hermit is mostly found in the understorey of moist tropical forests, also using swamp forests, second growths and dry savannas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of flowers such as Trichanthera, Petraea, Costus, Dahlstedtia and Heliconia, but also take small arthropods.

Breeding:
Reddish hermits breed in May-February, varying among different parts of their range. males perform an elaborate display to attract females, taking little to no part in the breeding process after mating. The female builds the nest, an elongated purse made of dry leaves, moss, lichens and fine plant fibres, which is placed hanging from the inside of the leave of a palm or other tree, 0,5-3 m above the ground. She lays 2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 15 days, and feeds the chicks alone until they fledge 18-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The reddish hermit is suspected to loose 15-17% of suitable habitat within its range over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation. Therefore, it is suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Green hermit

Phaethornis guy

Photo by Larry Thompson (Discover Life)

Common name:
green hermit (en); rabo-branco-verde (pt); ermite vert (fr); ermitaño verde (es); grüner schattenkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found from Costa Rica, through Panama and Colombia, and into Ecuador and Peru. Also in western Venezuela, and in north-eastern Venezuela and the island of Trinidad.

Size:
These birds are 11,5-15,5 cm long and weigh 4-6,5 g.

Habitat:
The green hermit is mostly found in the understorey of mountain forests, including forest edges, also using lowland rainforests and nearby second growths, moist scrublands and plantations. They are present at altitudes of 800-2.200 m.

Diet:
They feed primarily on the nectar of a wide range of pants, including Justicia umbrosa, Razisea, Pitcairnia, Costus, Drymonia, Heliconia, Malvaviscus palmanus, Columnea, Tillandsia fasciulata, Pachystachys and Centropogon. They also consume some small arthropods.

Breeding:
Green hermits breed in November-September, usually coinciding with the local flowering peak of the plants they obtain nectar from. They are polygynous, with males displaying in a lek to attract females and having no further part in the breeding process after mating. The female builds a cone-shaped nest made of soft plant fibres and vegetative down, and lined with seed-plumes. It is usually affixed to the underside of the tip of a free-hanging leaf by cobwebs, 0,5-4,5 m above the ground. There she lays 1-2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 17-18 days. The chicks fledge 21-23 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon to fairly common. Although the green hermit seems to persist even in fragmented habitats, any extensive deforestation caused by humans has the potential for harm.

White-chested emerald

Amazilia brevirostris

Photo by Fayard Mohammed (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
white-chested emerald (en); beija-flor-de-bico-preto (pt); ariane à poitrine blanche (fr); diamante colidorado (es); kurzschnabelamazilie (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found from central and eastern Venezuela to the French Guyana and south into Roraima in extreme northern Brazil. Also in the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

Size:
These birds are 9-10 cm long and weigh 4,5 g.

Habitat:
The white-chested emerald is mostly found in moist tropical forests, including gallery forests, also using dry tropical forests and savannas, moist scrublands, second growths, arable land and plantations. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar from various tree and scrubs, including Erythrina, Samanea, Calliandra and Heliconia, but also take small insects.

Breeding:
White-chested emeralds breed in December-April. The female builds the nest alone, consisting of a small cup made of plant fibres and lichen, placed on an horizontal brancg 1-7 m above the ground. There she lays 2 eggs, which she incubates alone, but there is no information regarding the length of the incubation period. She raises the chicks alone and they fledge about 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. They are suspected to lose 9% of suitable habitat within their range over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, so a small decline is expected in the near future.

Black-breasted puffleg

Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Photo by Murray Cooper (Mongabay)

Common name:
black-breasted puffleg (en); beija-flor-de-peito-negro (pt); érione à robe noire (fr); zamarrito pechinegro (es); schwarzbauch-höschenkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is endemic to north-western Ecuador, only being found on the northern and north-western ridge-crests of Volcán Pichincha, and in the Cordillera de Toisán above the Intág valley, both located north of Quito.

Size:
These birds are 8-9 cm long and weigh 4-4,5 g.

Habitat:
The black-breasted puffleg is found in humid and wet cloud forests located in the crests of mountain ridges, including elfin forests and forest borders. They occur at altitudes of 1.700-3.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of various plants, namely of Palicourea huigrensis, but also take some small insects and spiders.

Breeding:
These birds breed in October-March. They are polygynous and the males have no further part in the breeding process after mating. The female lays a clutch of 2 eggs, which she incubates alone, but there is no available information regarding the incubation and fledging periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - CR (Critically Endangered)
This species has a very small and fragmented breeding range. The global population is currently estimated at just 140-180 individuals, making it one of the rarest birds in the world. The black-breasted puffleg is believed to have been much more common in the past, and is currently suspected to be declining by 10-20% per decade, owing to widespread and continuing habitat loss within its range. The deforestation rates for high-Andean mountain forests has accelerated in recent year, mainly for timber and charcoal, facilitating the introduction of cattle and the eventual spread of the agricultural frontier for ranching and to a lesser extent production of crops. Copper mining concessions and invasions of landless farmers are further encroaching the remaining patches of favourable habitat available within the species' range. Since 2005 this species became the emblematic bird of Quito, which lead to the purchase and protection of areas of favourable habitat.

Band-tailed barbthroat

Threnetes ruckeri

(Photo from Birds & Birds)

Common name:
band-tailed barbthroat (en); balança-rabo-de-Rücker (pt); ermite de Rücker (fr); ermitaño barbudo colibandeado (es); weißbinden-schattenkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Belize and eastern Guatemala south to north-western Venezuela, western Colombia and western Ecuador.

Size:
These birds are 10-11 cm long and weigh 5-7 g.

Habitat:
The band-tailed barbthroat is mostly found in the understorey of lowland rainforests, also using mountain rainforests, forests edges, mature and dense second growths, moist scrublands and plantations.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of tubular flowers, namely Heliconia, Costus and Calathea, also taking some small spiders and insects.

Breeding:
Band-tailed barbthroats can breed all year round, varying among different parts of their range. The nest is a small cup made of rootlets, fungal rhizomes and fine plant materials, usually attached with spider webs to the underside of a palm frond, fern or Heliconia leave. There the female lays 2 eggs which she incubates alone for 17-18 days. Unlike most other hummingbirds, males may provide females with food during incubation. The chicks fledge about 24 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon. There is no available information regarding population trends.

Fiery-throated hummingbird

Panterpe insignis

Photo by Joseph Boone (Wikipedia)

Common name:
fiery-throated hummingbird (en); colibri-garganta-de-fogo (pt); colibri insigne (fr); colibrí insigne (es); feuerkehlkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found along Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilarán, from northern Costa Rica to western Panama.

Size:
These birds are 10,5-11 cm long. The females are smaller than males, weighing 5 g while males weigh 6 g.

Habitat:
The fiery-throated in mostly found in moist tropical forests in mountainous areas, including cloud forests and elfin forests, also using timberline scrublands and grasslands, second growths and pastures. They occur at altitudes of 1.400-3.200 m.

Diet:
They feed on the nectar, visiting the flowers of various epyphytes, particularly ericads, bromeliads and gesneriads, as well as those of scrubs and small trees such as Centropogon valerii and Gaiadendron.

Breeding:
Fiery-throated hummingbirds breed in August-January. Males are territorial and will mate with multiple females, having no further part in the breeding process. The female builds the nest, a bulky cup made of treefern scales and plant down woven together with cobwebs and heavily decorate the outside with moss and lichens. It is placed usually placed at the end of a drooping bamboo stems or rootlets overhanging a bank, 2-4 m above the ground. There she lays 2 white eggs which she incubates for 14-19 days. She raises the chicks alone and they fledge 18-28 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively small breeding range, but is described as common to abundant over most this range. There is no information on population trends, but there are no known relevant threats at present. However, due to its mountainous distribution, global warming may in the future restrict their range to higher altitudes.

Racket-tailed coquette

Discosura longicaudus

Photo by Robson Czaban (Beija-flores)

Common name:
racket-tailed coquette (en); bandeirinha (pt); coquette à raquettes (fr); rabudito de raquetas (es); diskuselfe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This South American species is found in two disjunct areas, one from southern Venezuela and the Guyanas south to the Amazon river, and another along the coast of eastern Brazil, from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio de Janeiro.

Size:
The males are 10 cm long, including the long tail streamers, while the females are 7-8 cm long. They weigh 3-4 g.

Habitat:
The racket-tailed coquette is mostly found in moist tropical forests, particularly along rivers and streams, but also uses scrubby, moist savannas and second growths. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 700 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of various flowers, namely Anacardium occidentale, Leonitis petaefolia, Leonurus sibiricus, Caesalpinoidae dicymbe  and Calliandra sp. They also take some small invertebrates.

Breeding:
Racket-tailed coquettes nest in a cup made of soft plant materials and lined with soft plant fibres and seed down. The nest is built solely by the female and placed in a tree, 3-6 m above the ground, where she lays 2 eggs. The female incubates the eggs alone for 13-14 days. The chicks are raised by the female alone and fledge about 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as uncommon. It is suspected to lose 9-10% of suitable habitat within its distribution over the next 12 years, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, so a small decline is expected in the near future.

Olivaceous thornbill

Chalcostigma olivaceum

Photo by Steve Arlow (Neotropical Birds)

Common name:
olivaceous thornbill (en); colibri-oliváceo (pt); métallure olivâtre (fr); colibrí oliváceo (es); braunes glanzschwänzchen (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is patchily distributed along the high Andes of southern Peru and northern Bolivia, from the Cordillera Blanca south to La Paz.

Size:
These birds are 12-15 cm long and weigh 6,5-9 g.

Habitat:
The olivaceous thornbill is mostly found in puna grasslands and around cushion plants, also using low scrublands and the edges of dense Polylepis-Gynoxys woodlands. They are only found at altitudes of 3.100-4.700 m.

Diet:
They eat both nectar and small arthropods, being known to visit prostrate red flowers such as Gentianella sp. and possibly Castilleja sp.

Breeding:
Olivaceous thornbills breed in January-May. Males are territorial and possibly have little part in the breeding process after mating. The female lays 2 eggs which she incubates alone. There is no available information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range but is described as uncommon or rare. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats

Golden-bellied starfrontlet

Coeligena bonapartei

Photo by Alberto Schu (Digital Photography Review)

Common name:
golden-bellied starfrontlet (en); beija-flor-de-barriga-dourada (pt); inca de Bonaparte (fr); inca ventridorado (es); goldbauchmusketier (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found in northern Colombia and western Venezuela, along the Andes and in Sierra de Perija.

Size:
These birds are 11-14 cm long and weigh 6-7 g.

Habitat:
The golden-bellied starfrontlet is found in mountain rainforests and high-altitude tropical scrublands, at altitudes of 1.400-3.200 m.

Diet:
They mainly feed on the nectar of flowering plants, such as Bomarea, Cavendishia, Fuchsia, Macleania, Mutisia and Palicourea, but also hunt some insects and other small arthropods.

Breeding:
These birds are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females and having no further part in the breeding process. Each female builds the nest alone, where she lays 2 white eggs. She incubates the eggs alone for 16-19 days and then raises the chicks alone until fledging. There is no information regarding the length of the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large but patchy breeding range. The global population size has not been quantified, but the golden-bellied starfrontlet is described as uncommon. The population is suspected to be declining owing to habitat loss caused by illegal roads and settlements and illegal mineral exploitation.

Great-billed hermit

Phaetornis malaris

Photo by Maxime Dechelle (GEPOG)

Common name:
great-billed hermit (en); besourão-de-bico-grande (pt); ermite à long bec (fr); ermitaño piquigrande (es); langschnabeleremit (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species occurs in three disjunct populations. One is found in Suriname, French Guyana and marginally into Amapá in northern Brazil. A second one is found from from southern Colombia and Venezuela down to central Bolivia and north-western Brazil. The third population is found along the coast of south-eastern Brazil, from Bahia to Espírito Santo.

Size:
These birds are 13-17 cm long and weigh around 6 g.

Habitat:
The great-billed hermit is mostly found in tropical rainforests, but also use swamp forests, moist scrublands and high-altitude scrublands. they are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.400 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of various small, brightly coloured and scented flowers, but also take small insects and spiders.

Breeding:
Great-billed hermits are polygynous, with the males forming a lek where they display to attract females, having no futher part in the breeding process after mating. The female builds the nest alone, a cone woven from plant fibres with moss for camouflage. Spider webs are used to suspend it from a branch or the underside of a broad leaf, or less frequently under a bridge or from the rood of a building. The female lays 1-3 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-16 days. The chicks are raised by the mother and fledge 21-24 days after hatching. Each female raises a singe brood per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. It is suspected to lose 7,5-8% of suitable habitat within its distribution over the next decade based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, therefore being suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Green-fronted lancebill

Doryfera ludovicae

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
green-fronted lancebill (en); bico-de-lança-de-testa-verde (pt); porte-lance de Louise (fr); colibrí picolanza mayor (es); grünstirn-lanzettschnabel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found from Costa Rica to Colombia and western Venezuela, and along the ndes down to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 13 cm long and weigh 5-6 g.

Habitat:
The green-fronted lancebill is mostly found in mountain rainforests, also using rainforests at lower altitudes and moist tropical scrublands. They are present at altitudes of 750-2.300 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar of various plants, including epiphytes, scrubs, herbs and trees, usually preferring small, colourful and scented flowers. They also take some small spiders and insects.

Breeding:
These birds breed in July-January. The males are polygamous, mating with several females and having no further part in the breeding process. Each female builds the nest alone, consisting of a small cup made of plant fibres, rootlets and spider webs and lined with moss, soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down. It is placed in a rocky ledge or tree hollow, up to 20 m above the ground and usually near a stream. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 20-21 days. She feeds the chicks alone and they fledge 29-30 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon. There is no information on population trends.

with moss, soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/greenfrontedlancebills.html#sthash.0uzJXReR.dpuf

with moss, soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/greenfrontedlancebills.html#sthash.0uzJXReR.dpuf

with moss, soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/greenfrontedlancebills.html#sthash.0uzJXReR.dpuf

Long-billed starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Photo by Jim Watt (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
long-billed starthroat (en); bico-recto-cinzento (pt); colibri corinne (fr); colibrí piquilargo (es); rosenkehlkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Mexico down to Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and north-western and central Brazil. It is also present in Trinidad and Tobago, but absent from all other Caribbean islands.

Size:
These birds are 10-12 cm long and weigh 6,5-7 g.

Habitat:
The long-billed starthroat is mostly found in moist tropical forests, especially in forest clearings, but also uses dry tropical forests, moist scrublands, pastures, second growths and sometimes gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of flowers with very long corollas, such as Erythrina and Heliconia. They also consume insects.

Breeding:
Long-billed starthroats breed in October-March. Males are polygamous, mating with several females and having no further part in the breeding process. Females build their nests, each consisting of a broad cup made of spider webs, moss, lichens and plant fibres. The nest is placed in an horizontal branch or sometimes on a telephone wire, usually 4,5-12 m above the ground. There she lay 2 eggs which she incubates alone for 18-19 days. She raises the chicks alone and they fledge 25-26 days after hatching, but continue to be fed by their mother for another 3 weeks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 0,5-5 million individuals. The long-billed starthroat is suspected to lose 13-15% of suitable habitat within its range based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, so the population is expected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Sword-billed hummingbird

Ensifera ensifera

Photo by Larry Thompson (Discover Life)

Common name:
sword-billed hummingbird (en); beija-flor-bico-de-espada (pt); colibri porte-épée (fr); colibrí picoespada (es); schwertschnabelkolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found along the Andes mountain range, from western Venezuela to central Bolivia.

Size:
These large hummingbirds are 17-23 cm long, including the 9-11 cm long bill. They weigh 10-15 g.

Habitat:
The sword-billed hummingbird is mostly found in mountain rainforests, but also uses high-altitude grasslands and scrublands, and rural gardens. They are present at altitudes of 1.700-3.600 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar of flowers with long pendent corollas, namely Datura sp. and Passiflora sp., but also take small insects and spiders.

Breeding:
Sword-billed hummingbirds are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females and having no further part in the breeding process. The female build a cup-shaped nest made of woven plant fibres, green moss and spider webs, lined with hairs, feather down and fine fibres. It is placed on a thin, horizontal branch in a tree or scrub, or in bromeliad, usually quite far from the ground. There she lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation period. The chicks are raised by the female and fledge 7-10 day after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described s uncommon to locally common and patchily distributed. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Buff-tailed sicklebill

Eutoxeres condamini

(Photo from Agami Photography)

Common name:
buff-tailed sicklebill (en); bico-de-foice-de-cauda-acanelada (pt); bec-en-faucille de La Condamine (fr); picohoz colicanela (es); rotschwanz-sichelschnabel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found in the eastern slopes of the Andes, and adjacent lowland areas, from southern Colombia to northern Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 12-15 cm long and weigh 8-12,5 g.

Habitat:
The buff-tailed sicklebill is mostly found in the understorey of moist tropical forests, especially in mountainous areas, but also in the lowlands. They also use plantations, bamboo stands and arable land. They are present at altitudes of 200-3.300 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar, their bill being adapted to the shape of certain flowers, particularly Centropogon and Heliconia. They also catch small arthropods.

Breeding:
Buff-tailed sicklebills breed in September-February. The nest is an elongated cup, made of mosses, rhizomes and other fine plant materials, and lined with palm-leaf pinnules and other course materials. It is suspended from a palm leaf, 1-2 m above the ground, and often placed near or above a stream. The female lays 2 eggs, which she incubates alone for 16-18 days. The chicks fledge 22-24 days after hatching and reach sexual maturity at 1-2 years of age.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon. It is suspected to lose 16.% of suitable habitat within its distribution over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, therefore it is suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Anna's hummingbird

Calypte anna

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
Anna's hummingbird (en); beija-flor-de-Anna (pt); colibri d'Anna (fr); colibrí de Ana (es); Annakolibri (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species originates from north-western Mexico and southern California, but it has expanded in range during the 20th century, now being found as far north as the south-western coast of Canada and inland into southern Arizona.

Size:
These birds are 10-11 cm long and have a wingspan of 11,5-12 cm. They weigh 3-6 g.

Habitat:
The Anna's hummingbird is mostly found in tropical forest, namely Eucalyptus trees, even though they were only introduced in their range in the mid 19th century, but also uses dry savannas and scrublands, rural gardens and urban and suburban parks and gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of many flowering plants, including currant, gooseberry, manzanita, and many introduced species such as Eucalyptus. They also eat a wide array of small insects, such as midges, whiteflies, and leaf hoppers, a well as spiders. Anna's hummingbirds are also known to eat tree sap leaking out from holes made by sapsuckers.

Breeding:
These birds breed in December-June. The males display to attract females, having no further part in the breeding process after mating. The female builds the nest, a small cup made of
plant down and spider webs, usually placed on an horizontal branch of a tree 2-6 m above the ground. There she lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-19 days. She feeds the chicks alone and the chicks fledge 18-23 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 1,5 million individuals. The Anna's hummingbird has greatly expanded in range during the last century, thanks to the planting of exotic flowering trees, such as Eucalyptus which provide nectar and nesting sites. The population has increased by 180% over the last 4 decades.

Plovercrest

Stephanoxis lalandi

Photo by Chris Perkins (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
plovercrest (en); beija-flor-de-topete (pt); colibri de Delalande (fr); colibrí copetón (es); spitzhaubenelfe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found in south-eastern Brazil, from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo to Rio Grande do Sul, and also in eastern Paraguay and extreme north-eastern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 8-9 cm long and weigh 2-4 g.

Habitat:
The plovercrest is mostly found in moist scrublands and moist tropical forests, but also use second growths. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 900 m, and occasionally up to 2.900 m.

Diet:
They feed on nectar and small insects.

Breeding:
Plovercrests are polygynous, with males performing in a lek to attract females and having no further part in the breeding process after mating. The nest is built by the female, consisting of a small cup made of plant fibres, moss and lichens, held together with spider webs. The nest is placed at the end of a bamboo shoot or branch of a scrub. The female lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 15-16 days. The chicks are fed by the female and fledge 19-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as uncommon. There is no information on population trends.

Booted racket-tail

Ocreatus underwoodii

Photo by Larry Thompson (Discover Life)

Common name:
booted racket-tail (en); beija-flor-de-raquetes (pt); haut-de-chausses à palettes (fr); colibrí de raquetas (es); flaggensylphe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found along the slopes of the Andes from Venezuela south to Bolivia.

Size:
The females are 7,5-9 cm long, while the males are 12-15 cm long due to the two long tail feather than can grow to 7,5 cm. They weigh 2,6-3,2 g.

Habitat:
The booted racket-tail is mostly found in mountain rainforests, but also use rainforests in lowland areas and open second growths. They can be found at altitudes of 600-4.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar from red tubular flowers of several plant species, but also take insects and small spiders.

Breeding:
Booted racket-tails can breed all year round, varying between different parts of their range. The female builds the nest, a tiny cup made of plant fibres and lichens, bound together with spider webs. The nest is lined with softer plant fibres and animal hair and down. It is placed on an horizontal twigs in a tree, 6-8 m above the ground.There she lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 16-17 days. The chicks are fed by the female and fledge 19-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status -LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.