White-bellied Woodstar
Chaetocercus mulsant
Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds that fly like large bumblebees. White-bellied is an Andean species found from Colombia to Bolivia. Males are mostly emerald green above with a bright white chest and belly, dark green sides, a glittering purple throat, and a forked tail. Their wings make a distinctive metallic whirring in flight. Females have a white throat, white eyeline, and rich buffy flanks. Both sexes have very prominent white patches on the sides of the lower back. Females in particular can be difficult to distinguish from other woodstars; look for their brighter and better-defined white belly patch and larger white patches on the sides of the lower back. Look for this species in a variety of wooded habitats, scrub, and gardens in the highlands from from 1,100-3,500m. Visits feeders.
Identification
The white-bellied woodstar is about 8.5 cm (3.3 in) long and weighs about 3.8 to 4 g (0.13 to 0.14 oz). Both sexes have a straightish black bill. The male's upperparts are dark bluish green which continues onto the flanks. A downcurving white line behind the eye meets the white upper breast. Its gorget is iridescent reddish violet. The belly is white as are patches on the flanks. The forked tail is bluish green and its outermost feathers are shafts with no vanes. The female is bronzy green above. It has a grayish "mask" and a buff stripe behind the eye. Its throat is pale cinnamon, the belly white, and the flanks tawny. Its tail is rounded; the central feathers are green and the others cinnamon with a wide black band near the end.
Taxonomy
The white-bellied woodstar and several other species in genus Chaetocercus were formerly placed in genus Acestrura but have been in their current position since the late 20th century. The species is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Chaetocercus mulsant
- Authority
- (Bourcier, 1843)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chaetocercus
Range and habitat
The white-bellied woodstar is found from the Central and Eastern Andes of Colombia south discontinuously through Ecuador and Peru into Bolivia as far as Cochabamba Department. It inhabits the edges of humid forest, pastures, and cultivated areas. In elevation it is most common between 2,200 and 2,800 m (7,200 and 9,200 ft) but is regularly found as low as 1,500 m (4,900 ft) and there are reports as high as 4,000 m (13,000 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white-bellied woodstar is mainly sedentary though the records up to 4000 m suggest that it makes seasonal elevational movements.<p>The white-bellied woodstar forages at all levels of vegetation, taking nectar from a variety of flowering plants and trees including Agave, Inga, and Lantana. It also eats small arthropods. It does not defend feeding territories, and because of its small size and slow bumblebee-like flight it is able to feed in the territories of other hummingbirds.<p>Almost nothing is known about the white-bellied woodstar's breeding phenology. One nest was discovered in April in Ecuador; it was about 10 m (30 ft) up in tree.<p>The white-bellied woodstar's calls include "a rather low-pitched 'djup' note and [a] higher-pitched dull 'chip'."
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Comoro Blue-Pigeon
Alectroenas sganzini
Medium-sized chunky pigeon that is dark blue with a pale gray hood. Appears short-tailed in flight. Found in rainforest, secondary habitat, and plantations, and locally in dry coastal scrub. Most common at higher elevations in most of its range. Most often seen perched up conspicuously on emergent trees, feeding on fruiting trees, or in flight in small flocks. The common vocalization is a quick series of low hoots or growls. Dark blue coloration and pale head separate it from all other pigeons in its range.
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata
Scimitar-billed large shorebird of varied open habitats. Note large size, overall brown plumage, and long, decurved bill (appreciably shorter on juvenile). In flight shows white back patch, mostly white underwings. Common call an onomatopoeic "coor-lee." Compare to smaller Whimbrel, which has head stripes, a piping whistled call, and Far Eastern Curlew, which has a buffy rump and extensively marked underwings. Breeds mainly in grasslands, from coastal marshes to upland moors; winters mainly in coastal lowlands, especially mudflats and adjacent marshes.
Semicollared Flycatcher
Ficedula semitorquata
Very similar to other black-and-white small flycatchers. Male differs from Collared and Pied Flycatchers in thinly connected black crown and mantle, and white median coverts. Female is identified by the double pale wingbars and less extensive white areas on the wing. Breeds in mountains and hills in mixed or deciduous forest. During migration and on wintering grounds, found in various open wooded areas, from riparian forests to acacia savannas. Song is a high-pitched musical whistle interspersed with short scratches. Call is a short thin “seep” note and short metallic tacks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.