Anthocephala floriceps
Colibrí Cabecicastaño
Santa Marta Blossomcrown
Song
Santa Marta Blossomcrown
Appearance: The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is a small hummingbird measuring around 9 to 10 cm in length. It has distinctive plumage, with males and females exhibiting slight differences. Males have a striking rufous or cinnamon crown, which gives the species its name. The rest of the upperparts are green, while the underparts are whitish with a buffy wash on the flanks. Females are similar to males but with less vibrant crown coloration. They also have green upperparts and buffy underparts.
Habitat: This species is found exclusively in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a mountain range isolated from the Andes. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, often at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 m The Santa Marta Blossomcrown favors forest edges, clearings, and areas with abundant flowering plants.
Behavior: The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is known for its agile flight and ability to hover while feeding on nectar from flowers. It plays a crucial role in pollination. Besides nectar, it also consumes small insects and spiders for protein. Like other hummingbirds, it is territorial and may aggressively defend feeding areas from intruders.
Breeding: Information on the breeding habits of the Santa Marta Blossomcrown is limited. However, like many hummingbirds, it likely builds a small cup-shaped nest using plant fibers and spider silk. The female typically lays two eggs and is responsible for incubation and feeding the chicks.
Conservation Status: The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
Only found in La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta up to 2,000 m above sea level.
Taxonomy
The Santa Marta Blossomcrown (Anthocephala floriceps)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Anthocephala
- Species: Anthocephala floriceps
Vocalization
Vocalization has several purposes:
Territorial Defense: Males use vocalizations to establish and defend their territories. Their calls can serve as warnings to other males encroaching on their space, helping to maintain control over areas rich in food resources.
Attracting Mates: During the breeding season, males may use vocalizations as part of their courtship displays to attract females. These sounds are often accompanied by visual displays, such as aerial maneuvers and the presentation of their colorful plumage.
Communication: Vocalizations facilitate communication between individuals, especially in dense forest habitats where visual contact might be limited. This can include calls between mates or signaling the presence of predators.
Purpose
The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is primarily found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a unique and isolated mountain range. The specific purposes of its vocalizations can vary slightly depending on the local environment and ecological pressures:
Lowland and Mid-Elevation Forests: In these areas, the vocalizations might be more focused on territorial defense due to the higher density of flowering plants, which attract many hummingbirds. The competition for resources can be intense, necessitating clear and frequent communication to establish dominance.
High-Elevation Zones: At higher elevations, where the environment is more challenging and resources are scarcer, vocalizations might play a more significant role in mate attraction and coordination between pairs during the breeding season.
The vocalizations of the Santa Marta Blossomcrown are a critical component of its behavior, helping it to navigate the ecological challenges of its specialized habitat in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Conservation efforts are essential to preserve this unique species, as its limited range makes it vulnerable to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.
