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Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S23459163 Macaulay Library ML 56814891
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Black-throated Brilliant

Heliodoxa schreibersii
Diamante Barbinegro
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Song

Black-throated Brilliant

Appearance: Medium-sized hummingbird. Males have a black throat patch, which is a key feature for identification. They exhibit iridescent green plumage on their upperparts, with a glittering violet or blue crown and a contrasting white spot behind the eye. Females are less colorful, with a more muted green and grayish underparts. Bills are traight and moderately long, adapted for feeding on nectar.
Habitat: The Black-throated Brilliant inhabits humid lowland forests and their edges. It is often found in areas with abundant flowering plants, which provide its primary food source. It prefers elevations ranging from sea level up to about 1,300 m.
Behavior: Primarily nectarivorous, feeding on the nectar of a variety of flowering plants. It plays a role in pollination. It also consumes small insects and spiders to supplement its diet, providing essential proteins. Exhibits the rapid and agile flight of hummingbirds, capable of hovering in place while feeding.
Breeding: The behaviors and specific nesting habits of the Black-throated Brilliant are not extensively documented. They build a small cup-shaped nest made from plant fibers and spider silk positioned on a branch or in a sheltered location. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation status: The Black-throated Brilliant is not considered globally threatened.
MALE
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Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S23459163 Macaulay Library ML 56814891
FEMALE
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Photo: © Illustration by John Cox.

Distribution

The Black-throated Brilliant is found in the Amazon basin region, particularly in the southeastern parts of the country.

Taxonomy

The Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Caprimulgiformes
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Genus: Heliodoxa
  • Species: Heliodoxa schreibersii

Vocalization

The calls of the Black-throated Brilliant are high-pitched and can include a series of sharp "tsip" or "tsee" notes. These calls are often used for communication between individuals during feeding or territorial interactions.

The Black-throated Brilliant may produce trills or buzzing sounds with its wings. These sounds are more mechanical and are created by the rapid beating of the wings which are used to signal presence or assert dominance over a territory.