Santa Marta Woodstar
Chaetocercus astreans
Tiny bumblebee-like hummingbird found only in and around Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains, where it is the only woodstar. Usually encountered in cloud forest at moderate elevations, but occasionally wanders down to near sea level. Note the white spots next to the rump, which is typical of woodstars. Adult male has a glittering magenta throat patch bordered by white and a spiky tail. Female has a black mask and a tawny belly. Young males look like females but with blotching on the throat. Often seen resting on bare branches at the very top of a tall tree. Regularly seen in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve, though only rarely visits the feeders.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chaetocercus astreans
- Authority
- (Bangs, 1899)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chaetocercus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Bare-eyed Myna
Streptocitta albertinae
A very distinctive black-and-white myna. Long-tailed and magpie-like, with white underparts, crown, and back. Rest of body is black. Has prominent yellow-orange beak and feet. Juvenile shows brown feathering on crown. A rare species, usually encountered in pairs or small groups in the canopy of open forest and forest edge within the lowlands. Confined to the Sula Islands. Only known vocalization is a descending series of five squeaky notes, reported to resemble sound of a rusty gate.
Anchieta's Barbet
Stactolaema anchietae
A mid-sized brown barbet with pale yellow covering the head and chin. Immature is duller than the adult, with some yellow facial skin and pale coloration on the bill. Has a paler head, smaller wing patches and higher-pitched call than the similar Whyte’s Barbet. It is a low-density resident in Miombo (Brachystegia) woodland, favoring riverine areas with fruiting fig and sugar plum trees. Song a nasal “hooo-hooo-hooo” which often reveals its presence.
Gray-throated Warbler
Myiothlypis cinereicollis
Rare in limited range in northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Olive above with a yellow belly, gray head, and yellow central crown stripe. Only shows a faintly darker eyeline and paler eyebrow. Similar to Russet-crowned Warbler but with a duller head pattern. Occurs in the understory of montane forest from around 800 to 2,100 m.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.