Peruvian Piedtail
Phlogophilus harterti
Small hummingbird found in montane forest, especially on outlying ridges of the Andes. Green above with orange sides and a white belly that extends onto the sides of its neck; it gets its name from its bold black-and-white striped tail pattern, which is especially visible in flight. Forages in the understory of dense mossy forest.
Identification
The Peruvian piedtail is 7.2 to 7.5 cm (2.8 to 3.0 in) long and weighs 2.2 to 2.7 g (0.078 to 0.095 oz). The adult male and female are alike. They have a short, straight, black bill. Their upperparts are green. They have a white spot behind the eye. The throat and center of the breast and belly are white and the rest of the underparts buff. The innermost pair of tail feathers are green with a wide black tip; the others are buff with a wide diagonal black band. Juveniles resemble the adults but their head and neck feathers have buff fringes.
Taxonomy
The Peruvian piedtail shares its genus with the Ecuadorian piedtail (P. hemileucurus). It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Phlogophilus harterti
- Authority
- Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1901
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Phlogophilus
Range and habitat
The Peruvian piedtail has a discontinuous distribution in central and southeastern Peru. It occurs in the east Andean foothills of Huánuco, Pasco, Cuzco, and Puno departments. It inhabits the interior of primary and secondary forest. In elevation it is most numerous around 1,000 m (3,300 ft) but ranges between 750 and 1,500 m (2,500 and 4,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Peruvian piedtail is mostly sedentary but some altitudinal movements are believed to be likely.<p>The Peruvian piedtail perches to take nectar from flowers and to glean small insects from foliage.<p>Nothing is known about the Peruvian piedtail's breeding phenology.<p>The Peruvian piedtail's song is "a shrill, thin series of notes, which descend sequentially in pitch, 'SIIII siii suuu'."
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Whyte's Barbet
Stactolaema whytii
A mid-sized brown barbet with a white line under the eye and white wing patches. Geographically very variable, with differing amounts of lemon yellow on the crown (from completely covered to none), and speckles on the breast. Immature is duller than the adult. Has a darker head, larger wing patches and lower-pitched call than the similar Anchieta’s Barbet. It is a low-density resident in Miombo (Brachystegia) woodland, favoring riverine areas. Calls a nasal “pooh-pooh-pooh” which often reveals its presence.
Ultramarine Lorikeet
Vini ultramarina
A mostly blue-and-white lorikeet with a bright ultramarine upperside and darker blue thighs, chest band, and crown. Chest, throat, cheek, and belly are white with dark flecking. Unique within its range. Common call is a high-pitched buzzing “tzeet.”
White-browed Scrubwren
Sericornis frontalis
Small scrubwren with white eyebrow and pale iris. Has a dark face with a clear white eyebrow and chin stripe. Primarily olive-brown with a black-and-white shoulder patch and paler front. Chin is white with varying levels of black streaking depending on the location. This species is widespread across eastern coastal Australia, but is absent in the northern areas. Western edge of its expected distribution is the Mt Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide. Found in a wide range of habitats but typically only present where there is reasonably thick undergrowth. It often makes a grumpy buzzing call but also sings a clear musical song.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.