Mountain Avocetbill
Opisthoprora euryptera
Scarce Andean hummingbird with a short, awl-like bill that is upturned at the tip. Mostly green, and streaked with white on the underparts; also note the buff tinge to belly and white spot behind the eye. Similar to female Purple-backed Thornbill, but can be identified by its distinctive bill shape. Inhabits high elevation cloud forest, where it is usually encountered feeding on flowers at forest edge and in clearings.
Identification
The mountain avocetbill is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long; the few known weights are between 5.8 and 6.6 g (0.20 and 0.23 oz). It has a short bill that turns up slightly at the tip. Adults have bronzy green upperparts with a prominent white spot behind the eye. The tail is notched; the central pair of feathers are bronzy green and the outer ones dark blue with thin whitish tips. The throat and breast are white and the flanks and belly rufous; all have dark green streaks.
Taxonomy
The mountain avocetbill is the only member of its genus and has no subspecies. It is closely related to the hillstars (genus Oreotrochilus) and trainbearers (genus Lesbia). It was originally described in genus Trochilus which at that time included many species that have been reclassified.
- Scientific name
- Opisthoprora euryptera
- Authority
- (Loddiges, 1832)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Opisthoprora
Range and habitat
The mountain avocetbill is patchily distributed in Colombia's Central Andes, on the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, and at a few locations on the east slope in northern Peru. It inhabits the interior, edges, and clearings of elfin forest and humid montane forest and is often seen in roadside shrubbery. In elevation it ranges between 2,600 and 3,600 m (8,500 and 11,800 ft) in Colombia, mostly between 2,400 and 3,200 m (7,900 and 10,500 ft) but as low as 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in Ecuador, and between 2,700 and 3,200 m (8,900 and 10,500 ft) in Peru.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small distinctive duck. Males have a pinkish breast that is spotted in black with a rich chestnut wing and a metallic green patch on the flight feathers. Note the blue bill. Females have a striking brown-and-white face pattern, and are mostly brown above and mottled or banded brown below. In flight shows dark wings with white-and-green bands. Occurs in marshes and swamps with abundant vegetation; can be even seen perched on fences or low trees.
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