Inca Buchidorado
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Coeligena bonapartei
Song
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Appearance: The Golden-bellied Starfrontlet is a striking hummingbird species known for its vibrant plumage. Males exhibit a shimmering golden-yellow belly, which contrasts with their iridescent green upperparts. Their crown and throat often display a brilliant emerald hue, adding to their dazzling appearance. Females are slightly less vivid but still possess a beautiful mix of greens and yellows, with a more subdued belly coloration.
Habitat: This species is found in montane forests and edges, often at elevations ranging from 2000 to 3500 m. They thrive in environments with abundant flowering plants, which provide essential nectar sources. The cloud forests and páramo regions are among their preferred habitats due to the rich diversity of flora.
Behavior: Golden-bellied Starfrontlets are active and agile fliers, frequently seen darting between flowers as they feed on nectar. They play a crucial role in pollination, transferring pollen from one bloom to another. In addition to nectar, they consume small insects and spiders, providing necessary protein for their diet. These hummingbirds are territorial and may aggressively defend feeding areas from intruders.
Breeding: Breeding occurs during the rainy season when food resources are abundant. Females are responsible for building the nest, which is often constructed from plant fibers, moss, and lichen, providing excellent camouflage. The nest is usually situated on a sheltered branch. Females lay two eggs, incubating them alone while the males have little involvement in raising the young.
Conservation Status: The Golden-bellied Starfrontlet is not considered threatened.
MALE
FEMALE
Taxonomy
The Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (Coeligena bonapartei)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Coeligena
- Species: Coeligena bonapartei
Vocalization
The vocalizations are high-pitched and can include a variety of calls used for communication and territory defense.
Vocalizations can be quite varied, but generally, they consist of rapid series of chips, trills, and whistles. Sounds that are often used to signal the presence of a threat, to communicate with potential mates or to establish territorial boundaries.
The specific vocalizations of the Golden-bellied Starfrontlet may not be as well documented as some other species, but they would likely follow this general pattern.
