Black Metaltail
Metallura phoebe
Unusually dark hummingbird endemic to the high Andes of Peru. Plumage is mostly black with subtle hints of red and green. The tail is coppery when seen in good light, and it has a small white spot behind the eye. Adult male has a glittering green throat patch, which is smaller in females and absent in immature birds. Inhabits dense scrub and short forest. Often gives high-pitched, piping squeaks, either alone or in a short, descending series.
Identification
The black metaltail is 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5 to 4.9 in) long and weighs about 6 g (0.21 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male is overall black with a purplish or rosy gray sheen. Its slightly forked tail is iridescent bronzy gold and rosy gray on its upper side and glittering golden-orange on its underside. It has a conspicuous white spot behind the eye and its gorget is glittering turquoise green. The adult female is overall dark smoky gray with a smaller gorget than the male. Juveniles are similar to the female but without a gorget.
Taxonomy
The black metaltail is monotypic. Slight differences between populations in the north and south of its range have led to speculation that it might have two subspecies. It appears to be the basal species of the genus Metallura.
- Scientific name
- Metallura phoebe
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP & Delattre, 1839)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Metallura
Range and habitat
The black metaltail is found on the western slope of the Peruvian Andes from southern Cajamarca Department south almost to the Chilean border. It also occurs in some valleys within the Andes. Its range might extend into Chile though as of 2022 there are no records there. It inhabits montane scrublands, woodlands, and canyons, especially those with Polylepis and Puya. In elevation it ranges between 1,500 and 4,500 m (4,900 and 14,800 ft) and is most common above 2,700 m (8,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black metaltail is believed to be sedentary but some seasonal elevational movement is possible.<p>The black metaltail feeds on nectar from a wide variety of low flowers and flowering bushes, shrubs, and trees. It also eats small insects. It usually takes nectar while hovering but will also cling to flowers and sometimes "rob" nectar by piercing the base of a flower. Males defend feeding territories.<p>The black metaltail's egg-laying season is thought to span from July to January. Three nests have been described; they were cups made of moss and lined with feathers. One was on a steep mossy bank and the other two were built into the bases of unused nests of other bird species, perhaps a canastero of genus Asthenes. The female alone incubates the clutch of two eggs. The incubation period and time to fledging are not known.<p>What is thought to be the black metaltail's song is "a repeated high-pitched single note, tsee.....tsee.....tsee...". Its presumed chase call is "a descending series of 4–6 high-pitched notes reminiscent of a Picumnus piculet". It also makes a repeated "short dry trill; djrrt...and longer dry chatters."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Purple-backed Sunbeam
Aglaeactis aliciae
Blotchy hummingbird restricted to a tiny, remote area in the Andes of northern Peru. Plumage is bronzy-brown with irregular white patches on the face, throat, and belly, and white teardrop-shaped spots on breast. Adult male has an iridescent purple and green lower back, but this is indistinct or lacking on females and younger birds.
Equatorial Akalat
Sheppardia aequatorialis
Small, fairly plain, brown-and-orange robin-like bird. The tail is rufous-brown, and a good view will reveal gray markings on the face. Found in the understory and mid-story of montane forest. Shy and inconspicuous. The song is a soft, repeated “brrr” that is easily missed. Extremely similar to Lowland Akalat, but has orange rather than brown flanks, and found at higher elevations. Also similar to White-bellied Robin-Chat, but separated by uniform rather than black-and-orange tail.
Cape Canary
Serinus canicollis
Rather plain seedeater with a gray nape, yellow underparts, and olive-green back. Found in fynbos, woodland, grassland, and gardens. Usually in small flocks. Distinctive call is a short, high-pitched trill, often given in flight. Song is a frantic, warbled jumble of notes. Separated from similarly sized seedeaters by gray nape and lack of facial markings.
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