Amazilia Buchicastaña
Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird
Saucerottia castanaiventris
Song
Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird
Appearance: The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird is notable for its vibrant plumage. It has a chestnut-colored belly, which contrasts with its metallic green upperparts. The throat and breast are a shimmering green, and the tail feathers are often a darker shade with hints of rufous or chestnut. This striking coloration makes it easy to identify within its range.
Habitat: This species is endemic to Colombia, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It can also be found in areas that have been heavily degraded but still maintain some forest characteristics. The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird resides at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,200 m above sea level.
Behavior The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird is highly active and agile. It feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, utilizing its specialized bill and hovering ability to access food. It consumes small insects and spiders, which provide essential proteins. This hummingbird is territorial and may aggressively defend feeding areas from other hummingbirds and insects.
Breeding: Information specific to the breeding habits of the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird is somewhat limited. It builds small, cup-shaped nests using plant fibers, spider silk, and other materials. These nests are placed on tree branches. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird is a species of hummingbird endemic to Colombia. Its distribution is limited. It is found in the Magdalena Valley region. This species inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and can also be found in areas that have been heavily degraded but still offer some forest cover.
Taxonomy
The Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (Saucerottia castanaiventris)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Saucerottia
- Species: Saucerottia castanaiventris
Vocalization
The chestnut-bellied hummingbird is known for its vocalizations, which are used for communication and territorial defense. While specific descriptions of their vocalizations can vary, hummingbirds produce a series of high-pitched, rapid notes or trills.
These sounds can be quite fast and may resemble a series of chirps or whistles. The vocalizations of the chestnut-bellied hummingbird are used to assert dominance over a feeding territory or to attract a mate.
If you are interested in hearing the specific calls of the chestnut-bellied hummingbird, you might find recordings in bird call databases or resources like the Macaulay Library or Xeno-canto, that archive bird sounds from around the world.
