Fiery-tailed awlbill

Last updated

Fiery-tailed awlbill
Avocettula recurvirostris Fiery-tailed Awlbill, Guyana 02 (cropped).jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Subfamily: Polytminae
Genus: Avocettula
Reichenbach, 1849
Species:
A. recurvirostris
Binomial name
Avocettula recurvirostris
(Swainson, 1822)
Avocettula recurvirostris map.svg

The fiery-tailed awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris) is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae, the mangoes. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The fiery-tailed awlbill is the only member of genus Avocettula and has no subspecies. [3] The genus had earlier been merged into Anthracothorax. [6]

Description

The fiery-tailed awlbill is 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in) long and weighs about 4.3 g (0.15 oz). Its unique bill is short with a dramatically upturned tip. The adult male has green upperparts. Its throat is shiny emerald green and the belly shiny emerald green with a black center. The top of the tail is violet but for all-green central feathers. The adult female also has green upperparts. Its underparts are white with a black stripe down the middle. Its tail is bluish black and the outer feathers have white tips. Juveniles are similar to the adult female but the underside of the tail is coppery red. [7]

Distribution and habitat

The fiery-tailed awlbill is found in Amazonia, from southeastern Venezuela east through the Guianas into northern Brazil and south into Brazil as far west as Acre and as far east as Maranhão and Tocantins. There is also a disjunct population along the Napo River in eastern Ecuador. [7] The species has been recorded as a vagrant in Colombia. [4]

The fiery-tailed awlbill primarily inhabits open savanna-like areas in primary forest where it favors vegetation near granite outcrops. It can also be found at the edges of low vegetation near rivers, semi-deciduous forest, and cerrado . [7]

Behavior

Movement

The fiery-tailed awlbill is believed to be sedentary. [7]

Feeding

The fiery-tailed awlbill is a "trap-line" feeder, visiting a circuit of flowering plants to collect nectar. It favors Clusia and Dioclea shrubs, and feeds both by inserting its bill into flowers and by piercing the base of flowers to "rob" nectar. It also catches arthropods on the wing and by gleaning from the underside of leaves. [7] [8] [9]

Breeding

The fiery-tailed awlbill's breeding season varies across its range. It is known to span from September to December in Suriname and there are records from July in northern Brazil and French Guiana. The female builds a small cup nest of soft plant materials and spider silk on a horizontal branch, usually between 5 and 12 m (16 and 39 ft) above the ground. The female alone incubates the clutch of two eggs. [7] [10]

Vocalization

The fiery-tailed awlbill's song has not been recorded. Its call is "a series of 'tsik' notes" and is given in flight or while hovering. [7]

Status

The IUCN originally assessed the fiery-tailed awlbill as Near Threatened but since 2004 has rated it as being of Least Concern. Its population size is unknown and is believed to be decreasing. [1] It is widespread but "generally considered rare" and has restricted habitat requirements. It does occur in several protected areas. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wire-crested thorntail</span> Species of hummingbird

The wire-crested thorntail is a hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in humid forests in the Andean foothills of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Bolivia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-breasted sabrewing</span> Species of hummingbird

The rufous-breasted sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bellied woodstar</span> Species of hummingbird

The white-bellied woodstar is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-capped thornbill</span> Species of hummingbird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-bellied thorntail</span> Species of hummingbird

The black-bellied thorntail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stripe-breasted starthroat</span> Species of hummingbird

The stripe-breasted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-throated sapphire</span> Species of hummingbird

The rufous-throated sapphire is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Peru, Venezuela and possibly Argentina and Paraguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dot-eared coquette</span> Species of hummingbird

The dot-eared coquette is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia and Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight-billed hermit</span> Species of hummiingbird

The straight-billed hermit is a species of bird in the family Trochilidae, the hummingbirds. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-tailed goldenthroat</span> Species of hummingbird

The white-tailed goldenthroat is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae, the mangoes. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Many-spotted hummingbird</span>

The many-spotted hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-tipped swift</span> Species of bird

The white-tipped swift is a species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Guyana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chapman's swift</span> Species of bird

Chapman's swift is a species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela, and possibly Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-chested swift</span> Species of bird

The white-chested swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackish nightjar</span> Species of bird

The blackish nightjar is a species of bird in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russet-crowned crake</span> Species of bird

The russet-crowned crake is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-sided crake</span> Species of bird

The rufous-sided crake is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lettered aracari</span> Species of bird

The lettered aracari or lettered araçari is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazonian trogon</span> Species of bird

The Amazonian trogon, is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, the trogons and quetzals. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterfly coquette</span> Species of hummingbird

The butterfly coquette is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2018). "Fiery-tailed Awlbill Avocettula recurvirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22687146A130118659. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22687146A130118659.en . Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. 1 2 Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (July 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.2)" . Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 24 August 2021. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved August 24, 2021
  5. HBW and BirdLife International (2020) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world Version 5. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v5_Dec20.zip [.xls zipped 1 MB] retrieved May 27, 2021
  6. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 24 August 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved August 24, 2021
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Schuchmann, K.L., G. M. Kirwan, and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Fiery-tailed Awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.fitawl1.01 retrieved January 15, 2022
  8. Robinson, Scott K; Barlow, Jos; Şekercioğlu, Çağan H; Sodhi, Navjot S (2011-03-23), "Ecological Functions of Birds in the Tropics", Conservation of Tropical Birds, Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 68–108, doi:10.1002/9781444342611.ch4, ISBN   978-1-4443-4261-1 , retrieved 5 March 2021
  9. Whelan, Christopher J.; Şekercioğlu, Çağan H.; Wenny, Daniel G. (2015). "Why birds matter: from economic ornithology to ecosystem services". Journal of Ornithology. 156 (S1): 227–238. doi:10.1007/s10336-015-1229-y. ISSN   2193-7192. S2CID   17567370.
  10. Johnson, Sibylle. "Fiery-tailed Awlbills | Beauty of Birds". www.beautyofbirds.com. Retrieved 5 March 2021.