| Viridian metaltail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Metallura williami atrigularis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Genus: | Metallura |
| Species: | M. williami |
| Binomial name | |
| Metallura williami | |
 | |
The viridian metaltail (Metallura williami) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. [3] [4]
The viridian metaltail has these four recognized subspecies: [3]
Subspecies M. w. primolina and M. w. atrigularis were at one time each treated as separate species but since at least the mid 20th century have been considered subspecies. However, in the early 21st century atrigularis was again suggested as a possible separate species. [5]
The viridian metaltail is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 4.1 to 5.3 g (0.14 to 0.19 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male of the nominate subspecies has bottle green upper- and underparts. Its gorget is glittering bottle green and it has a purplish blue, slightly forked, tail. The adult female's upperparts are also bottle green. Its throat, breast, and belly are mottled green and white and its outer tail feathers have whitish tips on their underside. Juveniles are similar to adult females. [6]
Subspecies M. w. recisa has a shorter bill, a more deeply forked tail, and shinier underparts than the nominate. M. w. primolina's tail is reddish black on top and shining green below and only slightly forked. M. w. atrigularis has a black patch in the center of its gorget; its tail is slightly forked and its underside is shining green. [6]
The subspecies of viridian metaltail are found thus: [3] [6]
The viridian metaltail inhabits páramo grasslands with scattered shrubs and the shrubby edges of humid montane forest and elfin forest. In Ecuador it usually occurs between 2,700 and 3,600 m (8,900 and 11,800 ft) of elevation and ranges up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Colombia. There have been sightings as low as 2,100 m (6,900 ft). [6]
The viridian metaltail is assumed to be sedentary, but males might disperse to the higher elevations outside the breeding season. [6]
The viridian metaltail forages at all levels of its habitat's vegetation. It feeds on nectar while hovering and favors shrubs of families Ericaceae and Melastomataceae. Males defend feeding territories. [6]
The viridian metaltail's breeding season has not been well defined but appears to be within February to August. Nests are made of moss lined with soft plant down and small feathers, and are often placed in a rocky niche or other sheltered spot. The female incubates the clutch of two white eggs. [6]
One vocalizatin of the viridian metaltail is "a descending series of 3–5 squeaky notes, often followed by several jumbled dry buzzy trills 'trsee-seee-seee-sew..trrk-tsetswe-trrk'". It also makes " repeated dry buzzy or gravelly notes." [6]
The IUCN has assessed the viridian metaltail as being of Least Concern. It has a large range but its population size is unknown and believed to be decreasing. [1] It occurs in several protected areas but much of its páramo habitat has been burned for conversion to cattle pasture. [6]
The violet-tailed sylph is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The long-tailed sylph is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The gorgeted woodstar is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The rufous-shafted woodstar is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
The rainbow-bearded thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The blue-mantled thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
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 emerald-bellied puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in the subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The violet-fronted brilliant is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The mountain velvetbreast is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The green-tailed trainbearer is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Venezuela.
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 black metaltail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to 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 great sapphirewing is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The purple-backed thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
