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;Heliothryx barroti | ;Heliothryx barroti | ||
| − | [[Image:Purple-crowned_Fairy.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Purple-crowned_Fairy.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by HelenB<br />Male photographed at: La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica.]] |
| − | == | + | ==Identification== |
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Length: 10cm (4") Weight: 5.6g. | Length: 10cm (4") Weight: 5.6g. | ||
A medium-sized tropical hummingbird, green above with pure white underparts and a long tail. Upper parts are a bright metallic green, underparts pure white, the relatively short, straight bill is black. Male has a violet crown and forehead (may appear black), a black mask terminating in a barely visible violet spot, with a bright green malar stripe below. The graduated tail is blue-black in the center, with white outer tail feathers (i.e. typically appear blue-black from above, white from below). Female similar, with longer tail which has a black basal band in the outer tailed feathers, and lacking the violet crown and green malar stripe below the dark mask. | A medium-sized tropical hummingbird, green above with pure white underparts and a long tail. Upper parts are a bright metallic green, underparts pure white, the relatively short, straight bill is black. Male has a violet crown and forehead (may appear black), a black mask terminating in a barely visible violet spot, with a bright green malar stripe below. The graduated tail is blue-black in the center, with white outer tail feathers (i.e. typically appear blue-black from above, white from below). Female similar, with longer tail which has a black basal band in the outer tailed feathers, and lacking the violet crown and green malar stripe below the dark mask. | ||
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Virtually unmistakable in range. Male of the very similar [[Black-eared Fairy]] lacks the purple crown, and females of the two species are identical, but no overlap in distribution. | Virtually unmistakable in range. Male of the very similar [[Black-eared Fairy]] lacks the purple crown, and females of the two species are identical, but no overlap in distribution. | ||
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SE Mexico, through Central America and W. Colombia, to SW Ecuador. | SE Mexico, through Central America and W. Colombia, to SW Ecuador. | ||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | Has been considered conspecific with the Black-eared Fairy. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Mid-levels and sub-canopy of humid forest and woodland; also lower levels in more open second growth, and shady gardens. Lowlands. | Mid-levels and sub-canopy of humid forest and woodland; also lower levels in more open second growth, and shady gardens. Lowlands. | ||
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Quite active. This hummingbird hawks small insects in the air, as well as gleaning them from foliage. When feeding on nectar, it pierces a small hole at the base of large flowers, giving access to nectar that otherwise only is accessible to hummingbirds with longer bills (e.g. [[Western Long-tailed Hermit]]). Its flight is light and graceful. | Quite active. This hummingbird hawks small insects in the air, as well as gleaning them from foliage. When feeding on nectar, it pierces a small hole at the base of large flowers, giving access to nectar that otherwise only is accessible to hummingbirds with longer bills (e.g. [[Western Long-tailed Hermit]]). Its flight is light and graceful. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
No more images available. | No more images available. | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 11:56, 17 August 2007
- Heliothryx barroti
Identification
Length: 10cm (4") Weight: 5.6g. A medium-sized tropical hummingbird, green above with pure white underparts and a long tail. Upper parts are a bright metallic green, underparts pure white, the relatively short, straight bill is black. Male has a violet crown and forehead (may appear black), a black mask terminating in a barely visible violet spot, with a bright green malar stripe below. The graduated tail is blue-black in the center, with white outer tail feathers (i.e. typically appear blue-black from above, white from below). Female similar, with longer tail which has a black basal band in the outer tailed feathers, and lacking the violet crown and green malar stripe below the dark mask.
Virtually unmistakable in range. Male of the very similar Black-eared Fairy lacks the purple crown, and females of the two species are identical, but no overlap in distribution.
Distribution
SE Mexico, through Central America and W. Colombia, to SW Ecuador.
Taxonomy
Has been considered conspecific with the Black-eared Fairy.
Habitat
Mid-levels and sub-canopy of humid forest and woodland; also lower levels in more open second growth, and shady gardens. Lowlands.
Behaviour
Quite active. This hummingbird hawks small insects in the air, as well as gleaning them from foliage. When feeding on nectar, it pierces a small hole at the base of large flowers, giving access to nectar that otherwise only is accessible to hummingbirds with longer bills (e.g. Western Long-tailed Hermit). Its flight is light and graceful.
External Links
No more images available.
