Band-tailed Barbthroat - BirdForum Opus

Photo © by Michael W
Rio Silanche (PVM), NW Ecuador, September 2007

Threnetes ruckeri

Identification

Lower mandible of the long, downcurved bill mostly yellow or yellow-orange. Tail rounded, but seems variable in markings with white base of outer rectrices (tail feathers) in common, in some subspecies white with black subterminal band. Black throat in strong contrast to the breast, in northern birds buffy-orange. Upperside mostly bronzy. Pinkish feet.

Distribution

Guatemala and Belize to Ecuador and Venezuela.

Taxonomy

Subspecies^[1]

Nest of this species hanging from a palm leaf
Photo © by NJLarsen
Canopy Tower, Central Panama, 11 August 2022

Three subspecies are recognized:

• T. r. ventosus:

• Tropical eastern Guatemala and Belize to Panama

• T. r. ruckeri:

• Northern and western Colombia to western Ecuador

• T. r. venezuelensis:

• North-western Venezuela (region south-west of Lake Maracaibo)

Habitat

Understory of Neotropical lowland forests

Behaviour

Individuals often perch low at eye-level in forests

Breeding

Males form leks. Nests are hanging from underside of e.g., palm leaves.

Diet

Includes nectar and insects

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.

1. BirdForum Member observations

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