Ninfa Coronada
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Thalurania (colombica) colombica
Song
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Appearance: The male is bright and jewel-like, with a glittering violet crown, emerald-green throat and chest, violet-blue belly, and a long, deeply forked dark tail. The female is much plainer, mostly green above and grayish below, with green-speckled sides and whitish corners on the tail. The bill is black and slightly curved.
Habitat: It lives mainly in humid tropical and subtropical forest, forest edges, mature secondary growth, shaded plantations, gardens, and semi-open areas near forest. It prefers covered or partly shaded habitats and is less typical of dry scrub or very open country.
Behavior: This hummingbird feeds on nectar from shrubs, herbs, epiphytes, and small trees, and also catches tiny insects and spiders. It often forages inside forest edges or gaps. Both males and females may defend good nectar sources; females can be especially territorial.
Breeding: The breeding season varies by region. In Colombia it has been recorded breeding from about February to September in the northwest, from March to August in northern and central areas, and possibly during much of the year in southwestern Colombia. The female builds a small cup nest of plant down, tree-fern scales, spiderweb, moss, and lichen, usually on a horizontal twig under a leaf. The clutch is normally two eggs.
Conservation Status: It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
The Violet-crowned Woodnymph occurs mainly in humid lowlands and foothills, including the Caribbean region, the Magdalena Valley, and parts of the Western and Central Andes.
Taxonomy
The Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania (colombica) colombica)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Apodiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Thalurania
- Species: colombica
- Subspecies: colombica
Vocalization
Call Notes: It gives short, high-pitched, sharp notes, often described as thin “tsit,” “tseet,” or “chip” sounds. These may be used while moving through vegetation or near feeding areas.
Flight call: While flying between flowers or moving through forest edges, it may give quick, light, high notes. These calls are brief and can be hard to hear because they are very thin.
Aggressive Calls: When defending nectar sources or chasing another hummingbird, it may produce rapid, sharp calls. These are usually excited, repeated notes given during fast flight.
Feeding Calls: Around flowers, especially when several hummingbirds are present, it may give short ticking or squeaking notes. These help signal its presence and may be part of territorial behavior.
