Coppery Metaltail
Metallura theresiae
Distinctively colored hummingbird restricted to treeline forest and scrub in the Andes of northern and central Peru. No other small hummingbird in its range has coppery plumage; also note the green throat (indistinct on female), short bill, and white spot behind the eye. Tail is faintly greenish underneath and bluish on top. Perches atop bushes when not feeding, and quickly chases away other intruding hummingbirds while giving rapid, high-pitched squeaks.
Identification
The coppery metaltail is 10 to 10.5 cm (3.9 to 4.1 in) long and weighs about 5 g (0.18 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male of the nominate subspecies has reddish bronze to reddish coppery upperparts with a greenish tone to the rump and uppertail coverts. Its slightly forked tail is bronze green with violet reflections on its upper side and shining bronze green on its underside. The sides of its head and neck are reddish bronze and its narrow gorget is glittering golden green. The rest of its underparts are a somewhat less reddish bronze green than the upperparts. The adult female is a duller version of the male and its gorget is smaller. Juveniles do not have gorget. Subspecies M. t. parkeri is similar to the nominate but its uppersides are not as reddish and the underside of its tail is a brighter golden green.
Taxonomy
The coppery metaltail has two subspecies, the nominate M. t. theresiae and M. t. parkeri.
- Scientific name
- Metallura theresiae
- Authority
- Simon, 1902
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Metallura
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies of coppery metaltail is found on the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes from east of the Marañón River south into Huánuco Department. M. t. parkeri is known only from the Cordillera de Colán in Peru's Amazonas Department. Like most of the metaltails, the species inhabits the edges of elfin forest and páramo, moist landscapes characterized by shrubby growth and small trees. In elevation it ranges between 2,800 and 3,550 m (9,200 and 12,000 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The coppery metaltail is believed to be resident throughout its range.<p>The coppery metaltail feeds mostly on nectar but details of its diet are lacking. Males defend feeding territories. In addition to nectaring, it catches small arthropods by sallies from a perch.<p>The coppery metaltail's breeding phenology and nest have not been documented. Its breeding season appears to include August and September.<p>The coppery metaltail's vocalizations have been described as a "series of frail zeee calls, often alternating with ttrrrt notes" and also as "a jerky, wiry chatter similar to [that of] Tyrian Metaltail [Metallura tyrianthina], but perhaps lower, less emphatic, with buzzier notes."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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