Wire-crested Thorntail
Discosura popelairii
Small, compact hummingbird found on the east slope of Andes from central Colombia to central Peru. Male is unmistakable; look for long pointed tail, wirelike crest, short straight bill, and white band across the rump. Female is less spectacular, but still has the obvious white rump band and a white mustache patch. Occurs in the foothills from around 600 to 1,600 m, generally at higher elevations than the very similar Black-bellied Thorntail. Visits feeders, but also can be seen at flowering shrubs (especially purple Verbena) and trees.
识别特征
The wire-crested thorntail is one of the smallest birds on Earth, with a mature weight of about 2.5 g (0.088 oz). Males are about 11.4 cm (4.5 in) long, including tail extension, and females about 7.5 to 8.2 cm (3.0 to 3.2 in). Adults of both sexes have coppery green upperparts with a white band across the rump. Males have a glittering green crown with a thin hair-like crest. Its gorget is iridescent green, the flanks brownish with a white patch, and the rest of the underparts black. The tail is steely blue with white feather shafts, deeply forked, and the outer feathers are very narrow which with the crest give the species its common name. The female does not have the crest. It has a broad white streak on the cheek. Its underparts are black with a white patch on the flank. Its tail is short, only slightly forked, and bluish black with white tips. Juveniles are similar to the adult female.
分类信息
The wire-crested thorntail and three other species were at one time placed in genus Popelairia but since the late 1900s that genus has been merged into the present Discosura. Some authors have further merged Discosura into Lophornis but this treatment has not been widely accepted. The species is monotypic.
- 学名
- Discosura popelairii
- 命名信息
- (Du Bus de Gisignies, 1846)
- 目
- Apodiformes
- 科
- Trochilidae
- 属
- Discosura
分布与栖息地
The wire-crested thorntail is found in the Andean foothills from eastern Colombia's Meta Department through eastern Ecuador into eastern Peru as far south as the Department of Puno. In addition, there is at least one sight record in Bolivia. It inhabits the edges and interior of humid forest at elevations between 500 and 1,500 m (1,600 and 4,900 ft).
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The wire-crested thorntail is believed to be sedentary.<p>The wire-crested thorntail feeds on nectar, primarily in the forest canopy, and favoring the flowers of Inga trees. It also eats small arthropods.<p>Almost nothing is known about the wire-crested thorntail's breeding phenology. The one nest discovered was on a branch 8 m (26 ft) above the ground.<p>The only wire-crested thorntail vocalization that has been described is a "quiet, somewhat liquid 'tew'."
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Abyssinian Wheatear
Oenanthe lugubris
A dark wheatear in which males and females are very different. Males are black above with a dark-streaked gray cap. There is individual and geographical variation in belly color, which can be either black or white. Females have a dark brown back and heavily streaked paler underparts. Both sexes have a buff undertail and a black-and-buff tail with a “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Found in rocky areas with some trees and shrubs. White-bellied males can resemble other wheatears, but are distinguished by their black-and-buff tail. The song is a long, musical jumble of whistles and chatty notes.
Black-throated Thrush
Turdus atrogularis
A dark, somberly-colored thrush of middle to high-altitude forests. Usually winters at higher elevations, but will occasionally move into foothill and lowland areas as well. Male is unmistakable, with a gray back, white belly, and a pitch-black throat and chest. Females are streaky brown below and may be confused with Red-throated Thrush, but Black-throated females do not show orange on the throat or the sides of the tail; the only warm colors on either bird are the orangish underwings. In areas of overlap, beware hybrids that may show features of both species. Song consists of various repeated phrases; call includes a low “chekchekchek” and high, thin “tseee.”
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Adult males are striking royal blue above with bright orange throat and breast and bright white belly. Females are paler overall; grayish with orange on breast and sides of neck, and white belly. Favors fields and open woods. Often in small groups. Frequently perches on wires or fence posts. Nests in cavities. Listen for its soft, chortling calls.
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