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Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S14860440 Macaulay Library ML 43036611
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Bronze-tailed Thornbill

Chalcostigma heteropogon
Picoespina Bronceado
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Song

Bronze-tailed Thornbill

Appearance: The Bronze-tailed Thornbill is a small hummingbird measuring around 10 to 11 cm in length. It has a striking appearance with iridescent green plumage. The most distinctive feature is its bronze-colored tail, which gives the bird its name. The bird has a relatively short, straight bill, which is characteristic of thornbills.
Habitat: This species is found at high elevations, ranging from about 2,800 to 3,900 m above sea level. It inhabits montane forests, edges, and shrublands, often in areas with dense vegetation.
Behavior: The Bronze-tailed Thornbill feeds on nectar from a variety of flowers. It also consumes small insects and spiders for protein. It is known for its agile flight, which is common of hummingbirds allowing it to hover while feeding.
Breeding: The breeding habits of the Bronze-tailed Thornbill are not well documented but they are likely to build small cup-shaped nests. Hummingbirds lay one or two eggs per clutch, and the female is responsible for incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: The Bronze-tailed Thornbill is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN.
MALE
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Photo: © Neil Diaz eBird S14860440 Macaulay Library ML 43036611
FEMALE
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Photo: © Illustration by Eustace Barnes

Distribution

The Bronze-tailed Thornbill is found in the eastern Andes range of Colombia. It is part of the high-altitude avifauna and is adapted to the cooler moist conditions of the Andean cloud forests. The Bronze-tailed Thornbill is a fascinating species with adaptations suited to its high-altitude environment.

Taxonomy

The Name of Bird (Chalcostigma heteropogon)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Caprimulgiformes
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Genus: Chalcostigma
  • Species: Chalcostigma heteropogon

Vocalization

This bird is known for its unique vocalization producing a variety of sounds that can include chips, trills, and buzzes. Sounds that are used for communication, such as signaling territory or attracting mates.
Vocalizations of the Bronze-tailed Thornbill are high-pitched and rapid. Observations of their calls might describe them as a series of quick, sharp notes or a continuous trill. These sounds can be quite subtle and may require careful listening to distinguish among the ambient noises of their natural habitat.