Black-eared Fairy
Heliothryx auritus
Hada Oriental
Song
Black-eared Fairy
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) Read in Spanish
Appearance: The Black-eared Fairy is a small hummingbird with distinctive features. It has iridescent green upperparts and a white or buff-colored belly. The bird's most striking feature is its black ear patch, which contrasts with its green head. The tail of the Black-eared Fairy is relatively short, and it has a slightly decurved bill for feeding on nectar from flowers.
Habitat: Black-eared Fairies are typically found in humid forests, including tropical lowland forests and forest edges in Colombia. They prefer habitats with abundant flowering plants that provide nectar, such as rainforest understories. These hummingbirds may also occur in secondary growth, plantations, and gardens near forested areas.
Behavior: The Black-eared Fairy exhibits typical hummingbird behaviors, including feeding on nectar from flowers using its specialized bill. It is an agile flier capable of hovering and accessing nectar from a variety of flower species. These birds may also supplement their diet with small insects and spiders for protein.
Breeding: The breeding behavior of the Black-eared Fairy likely involves courtship displays by males to attract females. Nests are usually cup-shaped and constructed using plant fibers, moss, and spider silk, typically placed on tree branches or vines. Female Black-eared Fairies generally incubate the eggs and care for the young, with both parents participating in feeding and raising the chicks.
Conservation Status: The conservation status of the Black-eared Fairy in Colombia may vary depending on available data and assessments.
Distribution
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) is primarily found in various regions of Colombia, particularly in the eastern parts of the country. The Black-eared Fairy prefers habitats with abundant flowering plants in humid forests, including forest edges, understories, and secondary growth areas. This species may also occur in plantations, gardens, and other areas near forested areas where suitable nectar sources are available.
Taxonomy
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Heliothryx
- Species: Heliothryx auritus
Vocalization
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)
- High-Pitched Chirps and Trills: These birds produce high-pitched chirps and trills that are used for communication within their social groups, as well as during courtship displays and interactions with potential mates.
- Whistles and Buzzes: The Black-eared Fairy may also emit whistling and buzzing sounds, especially during territorial disputes or encounters with rivals.
- Calls and Vocalizations: They have specific calls and vocalizations that serve different purposes, such as signaling alarm, establishing territory boundaries, or coordinating with other individuals in their vicinity.
- Buzzing Wings: Like other hummingbirds, the Black-eared Fairy creates a buzzing sound with its wings during flight, which can be part of their vocal display and a characteristic feature of their presence in their habitat.
