| Black metaltail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A black metaltail in Cajamarca, Peru on January 28, 2021 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Genus: | Metallura |
| Species: | M. phoebe |
| Binomial name | |
| Metallura phoebe | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
Ornismya phoebe (protonym) | |
The black metaltail (Metallura phoebe) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru. [3] [4]
The black metaltail is monotypic. [3] Slight differences between populations in the north and south of its range have led to speculation that it might have two subspecies. It appears to be the basal species of the genus Metallura. [5] [6]
The black metaltail is 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5 to 4.9 in) long and weighs about 6 g (0.21 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male is overall black with a purplish or rosy gray sheen. Its slightly forked tail is iridescent bronzy gold and rosy gray on its upper side and glittering golden-orange on its underside. It has a conspicuous white spot behind the eye and its gorget is glittering turquoise green. The adult female is overall dark smoky gray with a smaller gorget than the male. Juveniles are similar to the female but without a gorget. [6]
The black metaltail is found on the western slope of the Peruvian Andes from southern Cajamarca Department south almost to the Chilean border. It also occurs in some valleys within the Andes. Its range might extend into Chile though as of 2022 there are no records there. It inhabits montane scrublands, woodlands, and canyons, especially those with Polylepis and Puya . In elevation it ranges between 1,500 and 4,500 m (4,900 and 14,800 ft) and is most common above 2,700 m (8,900 ft). [6]
The black metaltail is believed to be sedentary but some seasonal elevational movement is possible. [6]
The black metaltail feeds on nectar from a wide variety of low flowers and flowering bushes, shrubs, and trees. It also eats small insects. It usually takes nectar while hovering but will also cling to flowers and sometimes "rob" nectar by piercing the base of a flower. Males defend feeding territories. [6]
The black metaltail's egg-laying season is thought to span from July to January. Three nests have been described; they were cups made of moss and lined with feathers. One was on a steep mossy bank and the other two were built into the bases of unused nests of other bird species, perhaps a canastero of genus Asthenes . The female alone incubates the clutch of two eggs. The incubation period and time to fledging are not known. [6]
What is thought to be the black metaltail's song is "a repeated high-pitched single note, tsee.....tsee.....tsee...". Its presumed chase call is "a descending series of 4–6 high-pitched notes reminiscent of a Picumnus piculet". It also makes a repeated "short dry trill; djrrt...and longer dry chatters." [6]
The IUCN has assessed the black metaltail as being of Least Concern. Its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. [1] It is fairly common in many areas and is found in some protected areas. However, its habitat is under significant human pressure. [6]
The violet-chested hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
The rufous-capped thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The golden-bellied starfrontlet is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
The buff-winged starfrontlet is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The black inca is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Colombia.
The amethyst-throated sunangel is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The flame-throated sunangel or little sunangel is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The rufous-webbed brilliant is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.
Humboldt's sapphire or Humboldt's hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
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The scaled metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
The violet-throated metaltail, locally called metalura gorjivioleta, is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Ecuador.
The fiery-throated metaltail or fire-throated metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.
The neblina metaltail, locally called metalura neblina or colibrí de neblina, is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The coppery metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.
The Tyrian metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Lesbiinae, the brilliants and coquettes. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The viridian metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The bronze-tailed comet is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.
The great sapphirewing is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Longuemare's sunangel is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
