Perija Metaltail
Metallura iracunda
Small, short-billed hummingbird found only in the Perijá Mountains, which straddle the border between Colombia and Venezuela. Similar to the more common Tyrian Metalail, but larger with a longer coppery (not bluish) tail; male is also darker and female has speckles on the throat. Inhabits scrubby areas in and around high elevation grasslands near tree line, typically at higher elevations than Tyrian Metaltail, but there is some overlap.
Identification
The Perijá metaltail is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 3.6 to 4.1 g (0.13 to 0.14 oz). It has a short, straight, black bill. The adult male's upperparts are almost black with a hint of gold; its underparts are dark bronzy green with gold highlights. It has an emerald green gorget and a slightly forked glittering ruby red tail. The adult female is also nearly black above. Its throat and upper breast are ochre-orange with olive green spots and the lower breast and belly are rich buff with green spots. Its outer tail feathers have buffish tips. Juveniles are similar to adult females.
Taxonomy
The Perijá metaltail is monotypic. It is closely related to the Tyrian metaltail (M. tyrianthina) and is sympatric with one of its subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Metallura iracunda
- Authority
- Wetmore, 1946
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Metallura
Range and habitat
The Perijá metaltail is found in the Serranía del Perijá, which straddles the border between northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. It inhabits the varied landscapes of the different peaks within the mountain range, including open bushy terrain, karstic elfin forest, bamboo stands, grassy páramo, and areas of sandstone outcrops. In elevation it ranges between 2,400 and 3,200 m (7,900 and 10,500 ft) in Colombia and as low as 1,850 m (6,100 ft) in Venezuela.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Perijá metaltail is believed to be sedentary. Nothing is known about its diet, foraging behavior, or breeding phenology.<p>The Perijá metaltail's vocalizations have not been described, but Xeno-canto and Cornell University's Macaulay Library have a few recordings.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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