Choco Daggerbill

The Chocó Daggerbill (Schistes albogularis) is a hummingbird species found primarily in the Chocó region of western Colombia. 

Appearance: The Chocó Daggerbill is a medium-sized hummingbird with a distinctive curved beak that gives it its name. It has iridescent green upperparts, a white belly, and a bright rufous tail. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically having more vibrant colors and longer tail feathers than females.

Habitat: The Chocó Daggerbill is primarily found in the humid and montane forests of the Chocó region in western Colombia. It prefers dense forested areas with abundant flowers for feeding and suitable nesting sites.

Behavior: Chocó Daggerbills are known for their active foraging behavior, where they feed on nectar from flowers using their specialized beak. They may also feed on small insects and spiders, supplementing their diet with protein. These hummingbirds are agile flyers and can hover in place or dart swiftly among the forest vegetation.

Breeding: The breeding biology of the Chocó Daggerbill is not well-documented due to the remote and relatively inaccessible nature of their habitat. Like other hummingbird species, they are believed to build small cup-shaped nests using plant fibers, spider silk, and other materials. Breeding is likely timed with the availability of resources for raising offspring, such as abundant nectar and insects.

Conservation Status: The Chocó Daggerbill is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss and degradation in its range.