Black-breasted Hillstar
Oreotrochilus melanogaster
Large hummingbird found only at very high elevations in the Andes of central Peru. Male is dusky green with a sparkling green throat, a blue breast and belly, and gray sides. Female lacks the colorful underparts, and instead has a speckled throat and white tips to the tail. She is similar to females of both Andean and Green-headed Hillstars, but lacks white at the base of the tail feathers. The species inhabits open, scrubby habitat, usually above treeline, and feeds on a wide variety of flowers as well as insects.
Identification
The black-breasted hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs about 8.4 g (0.30 oz). Adults have a medium length slightly decurved black bill. The male's upperparts are bronzy brown. It has a shining emerald green gorget, grayish brown flanks, and entirely black breast, belly, and vent area. The tail is slightly forked and blue-black. The female is dull bronzy brown above and below. Its throat is pale with fine dark speckles. The tail is greenish black and the outer three or four pairs of feathers are white at their tips.
Taxonomy
The black-breasted hillstar is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Oreotrochilus melanogaster
- Authority
- Gould, 1847
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Oreotrochilus
Range and habitat
The black-breasted hillstar is found in the central Andes of Peru, primarily in the departments of Junín and Huancavelica. Its range also extends slightly into the adjacent departments of Ancash, Lima, Pasco, and Ayacucho. It inhabits puna grasslands, especially areas with much Chuquiraga spinosa and cushion cacti, and some rock outcroppings as well. It also commonly occurs in gardens and has been noted in Puya raimondii stands. In elevation it ranges between 3,500 and 4,400 metres (11,500 and 14,400 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Woodpecker
Micropternus brachyurus
Odd medium-sized brownish woodpecker with a short dark bill. Overall coloration and wing markings vary considerably across a wide range. Males have a red patch under the eye. Gives a range of loud, insistent calls, including a sharp “weep weep weep!” Distinctive drum accelerates then trails off. Forages throughout the levels of the forest, often with mixed-species flocks. Frequently drills into ant nests.
Uniform Finch
Haplospiza unicolor
Slender finch found at forest borders where it is especially associated with bamboo. Usually forages on or near the ground. Males are uniformly plain dark-gray with darker centers to wing feathers. Females are olive-brown with a streaky breast and a paler belly. The song is buzzy and high-pitched.
Gray-backed Cisticola
Cisticola subruficapilla
Medium-sized, streak-backed cisticola of uplands. Varies geographically: gray-backed and streak-breasted in the south, and rufous-backed and plain-breasted in the north. Found in fynbos and karoo habitats, usually in areas with a mix of rocks, shrubs, and grass. Generally inconspicuous; seen singly or in pairs. Song is a short, explosive, accelerating trill. Calls include a rising, two-part “chu-cheee”. Very similar to Wailing Cisticola, but has a different voice, a smaller bill, less buffy underparts, and doesn’t show rufous in the wing.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.