Black-hooded Sunbeam
Aglaeactis pamela
Unique and spectacular hummingbird of the upper humid montane forest in Bolivia. Plumage mostly black, with striking white feathers on breast and a shining blue rump. Occurs to, and sometimes just above, treeline on the east side of the Andes from western Santa Cruz department to La Paz. The only black hummingbird in its range. This species is generally patchily distributed, but can be locally common, especially where flowers are abundant.
Identification
The black-hooded sunbeam is about 12 cm (4.7 in) long including its 15 mm (0.59 in) straight black bill. Males weigh about 5.2 g (0.18 oz) and females 5.8 g (0.20 oz). The adult male is mostly purplish black, with glittering golden green to bluish green on the lower back and rump and a white tuft in the center of the breast. The tail is rufous with dusky tips to the feathers. Adult females are colored like the male but are duller overall and with less iridescent lower back and rump. Juveniles are somewhat browner than adults, with a reduced breast tuft and an olive cast to the tail.
Taxonomy
The black-hooded sunbeam is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Aglaeactis pamela
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny, 1838)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Aglaeactis
Range and habitat
The black-hooded sunbeam is found only in the Andes of northern Bolivia, mainly in the departments of La Paz and Cochabamba. In elevation it mostly ranges between 2,500 and 4,200 m (8,200 and 13,800 ft) but there are records as low as 1,800 m (5,900 ft). It inhabits cloud forest and humid to semihumid montane scrublands.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The black-hooded sunbeam is believed to be sedentary but might make seasonal elevational movements.<p>The black-hooded sunbeam feeds primarily on nectar; it forages at all levels and clings to flowers to feed rather than hovering. It also feeds on small arthropods.<p>The black-hooded sunbeam's breeding season is thought to span from September to March. Its breeding phenology, nest, and eggs have not been described.<p>Though the black-hooded sunbeam's vocalizations are not well known, it has been reported giving a "high pitched zeet-zeet-zeet", and other calls during antagonistic encounters.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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