Mexican woodnymph

Last updated

Mexican woodnymph
Mexican Woodnymph (14544829494).jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eupherusa
Species:
E. ridgwayi
Binomial name
Eupherusa ridgwayi
(Nelson, 1900)

The Mexican woodnymph (Eupherusa ridgwayi) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae endemic to western Mexico. It lives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland/foothill forest and plantations, feeding on flower nectar and insects. Mexican woodnymphs are vulnerable, threatened by habitat loss through deforestation.

Contents

Taxonomy

The Mexican woodnymph was formerly placed in the genus Thalurania that contains other species with "woodnymph" in their English names. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that Thalurania was non-monophyletic and that the Mexican woodnymph is closely related to species in the genus Eupherusa . [3] Based on this result the Mexican woodnymph is now placed in Eupherusa. [4] The Mexican woodnymph is monotypic: there are no recognised subspecies. [4]

Description

Mexican woodnymphs are small birds, generally 9-10 centimeters long. Females weigh around 3.5 grams and males weigh from 3.5 to 4.2 grams. Males have a straight black bill, mostly green body, a dull green chest, a blue-black forked tail, and an indigo crown. Females are similar, mostly green with darker green tail and wings, a light gray chest. They lack the characteristic indigo crown, instead have a white spot behind their eyes and green disks on the sides of their chest. [5]

One known vocalization consists of an irregular series of 2-4 quick notes. Their call has been described as a "liquid rattle". [5]

Distribution and habitat

Mexican woodnymphs live exclusively in the northern mountains of western Mexico, with habitat in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima. [6] [7] They are not migratory and spend the whole year in their small range. They are the northernmost species of their genus. [5]

Although there is little known of the specific habitat requirements for Mexican woodnymphs, we are aware that they reside in humid forests, canyons and foothills at elevations of 250–1200 meters. [5] They can be found at the forest and open woodland, [7] and may inhabit some coffee plantations.

Behavior

Breeding

Mexican woodnymphs breed in February and March. [5] They are sexually dimorphic, and it is believed that male hummingbirds are sexually selected for based on their feather arrangement and coloring, resulting in a wide range of colors and looks.

Food and feeding

Mexican woodnymphs are nectivorous and insectivorous. They feed primarily on flower nectar from a variety of flowering plants, including: Rubiaceae, Zingiberaceae and epiphytes. They also eat arthropods by catching them in the air or eating them off vegetation. [5]

Conservation status

Mexican woodnymphs are listed as vulnerable [8] due to habitat loss. [9] As evident from their restricted range, they are dependent on the forest health of western Mexico, where deforestation is threatening the habitat. Unfortunately, since there is little information on their habitat needs and natural history, there is insufficient data on how to protect this species.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahama woodstar</span> Species of bird

The Bahama woodstar or Bahama hummingbird is a species of hummingbird endemic to the Bahama archipelago, including the Bahama and Turks and Caicos islands. It is named the "Hummer" by locals due to a distinct humming sound it makes while feeding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermit (hummingbird)</span> Subfamily of birds

The hermits are tropical and subtropical hummingbirds in the subfamily Phaethornithinae, comprising 37 species in six genera. They occur from southern Mexico, through Central America, to South America as far south as northern Argentina.

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

The amazilia hummingbird is a hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is the only species placed in the genus Amazilis. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its six subspecies differ primarily in their throat and belly colors.

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

The blue-chested hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut-bellied hummingbird</span>

The chestnut-bellied hummingbird is a Near Threatened species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to Colombia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indigo-capped hummingbird</span>

The indigo-capped hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to Colombia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charming hummingbird</span> Species of bird

The charming hummingbird and also known as the beryl-crowned hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae, found in Costa Rica and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest. Staying within the exterior of forests, it searches for scattered flowers and various arthropods for food.

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

The purple-chested hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest. It is commonly hunted for the supposed medicinal properties of its beak by indigenous peoples in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green-fronted hummingbird</span>

The green-fronted hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Mexico and possibly Guatemala.

<i>Eupherusa</i> Genus of birds

Eupherusa is a genus of hummingbirds in the family Trochilidae. It contains the following five species:

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

The white-chinned sapphire is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in northern South America. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.

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

The sapphire-throated hummingbird is a shiny metallic-green hummingbird found in Panama, Colombia, and more recently Costa Rica. The sapphire-throated hummingbird is separated into three subspecies; Chrysuronia coeruleogularis coeruleogularis, Chrysuronia coeruleogularis coelina, and Chrysuronia coeruleogularis conifis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-tailed trainbearer</span> Species of bird

The black-tailed trainbearer is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found between 2500 and 3800m in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffy hummingbird</span> Species of bird

The buffy hummingbird is a species of bird in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Leucippus. This bird lives in dry forest and scrubland in northern South America where it feeds on insects and the nectar, flesh, and juice of cactus fruits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodnymph</span> Genus of birds

Woodnymphs are hummingbirds in the genus Thalurania. Males are green and violet-blue, while females are green with white-tipped tails and at least partially whitish underparts. Both sexes have an almost straight, entirely black bill and little or no white post-ocular spot. They are found in forest and tall second growth. The species in this genus are almost entirely allo- or parapatric, and a species is present virtually everywhere in the tropical humid Neotropics.

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

The fork-tailed woodnymph is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.

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

The violet-capped woodnymph is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-tailed woodnymph</span> Species of bird

The long-tailed woodnymph is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in humid forest in northeastern Brazil, where it is known from the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe and the northernmost Bahia. It is usually thought to be widespread, but seen at low density in its increasingly fragmented range. Its population is estimated to be around 1,000–2,500 individuals, currently in decline due to deforestation and habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowned woodnymph</span> Species of hummingbird

The crowned woodnymph or violet-crowned woodnymph is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found from Belize and Guatemala to northern Peru.

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

The Inagua woodstar, also called the lyre-tailed hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is endemic to the two islands of the Inagua district of the Bahamas.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Thalurania ridgwayi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ↑ McGuire, J.; Witt, C.; Remsen, J.V.; Corl, A.; Rabosky, D.; Altshuler, D.; Dudley, R. (2014). "Molecular phylogenetics and the diversification of hummingbirds". Current Biology. 24 (8): 910–916. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.016 . PMID   24704078.
  4. 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2020). "Hummingbirds". IOC World Bird List Version 10.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Peterson, A. Townsend; Boesman, Peter F. D. (2020-03-04). Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Mexican Woodnymph (Thalurania ridgwayi)". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.mexwoo1.01.
  6. ↑ Velásquez, Armando Valdés. "Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Biogeography of the Hummingbird Genus Thalurania GOULD, 1848 (Aves: Trochilidae)". Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich- ….
  7. 1 2 Monroe, Burt L.; Banks, Richard C.; Fitzpatrick, John W.; Howell, Thomas R.; Johnson, Ned K.; Ouellet, Henri; Remsen, J. V.; Storer, Robert W. (1993). "Thirty-Ninth Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-List of North American Birds". The Auk. 110 (3): 675–682. doi:10.2307/4088450. ISSN   0004-8038. JSTOR   4088450.
  8. ↑ Arizmendi, M. C.; Berlanga, H.; Rodríguez-Flores, C.; Vargas-Canales, V.; Montes-Leyva, L.; Lira, R. (October 2016). "Hummingbird Conservation in Mexico: The Natural Protected Areas System". Natural Areas Journal. 36 (4): 366–376. doi:10.3375/043.036.0404. ISSN   0885-8608. S2CID   88558681.
  9. ↑ BirdLife International (2020). "Mexican Woodnymph". DataZone.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.