Purple-crowned Fairy
Heliothryx barroti
Hada Coliblanca
Song
Purple-crowned Fairy
The Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) is a small hummingbird species native to Colombia. Below is an overview of its appearance, habitat, behavior, breeding characteristics, and conservation status in Colombia:
Appearance: The Purple-crowned Fairy is a diminutive hummingbird species, with males and females having a similar appearance. They have distinctive purple crowns that give them their name, along with green upperparts and white underparts. These birds have a straight black bill and their tail feathers are typically a metallic bluish-green or bluish-violet color. Their plumage confers excellent camouflage within the lush tropical forests they inhabit.
Habitat: Purple-crowned Fairies are typically found in the humid montane forests of the Andes in Colombia. They prefer to inhabit the understory and edges of forests, where they can find a variety of flowering plants for sustenance. These birds are quite territorial and may fiercely defend their preferred feeding and nesting areas.
Behavior: As hummingbirds, Purple-crowned Fairies feed primarily on nectar from a variety of flowers, using their long bills to extract the sweet liquid. They are known for their acrobatic flight skills, including hovering and darting movements as they feed. These hummingbirds are usually solitary or found in pairs, except during breeding season.
Breeding: Breeding behaviors of the Purple-crowned Fairy can vary, but typically involve courtship displays by the male to attract a mate. Nests are often built in protected locations, such as within dense foliage, and are constructed from plant material and spiderwebs for flexibility. Females usually lay two eggs in a clutch, and both parents share in the responsibilities of incubating the eggs and feeding the young.
Conservation Status: The Purple-crowned Fairy is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
The Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) is primarily found in the following regions of Colombia:
Western Andes: This region encompasses parts of the departments of Antioquia, Risaralda, Caldas, and Quindío. The western Andes are known for their diverse and rich biodiversity, making them suitable habitats for hummingbird species like the Purple-crowned Fairy.
Chocó: The Chocó region, located along the Pacific coast of Colombia, is another important area where the Purple-crowned Fairy can be found. The Chocó region is characterized by its lush tropical rainforests and high levels of rainfall, creating a suitable environment for a variety of bird species.
Magdalena Valley: The Magdalena Valley, which stretches across several departments including Tolima, Huila, and Caldas, is also a region where the Purple-crowned Fairy is known to occur. This valley is home to a mix of habitats ranging from humid forests to drier areas, providing varied ecological niches for different bird species.
These regions are key areas for birdwatching enthusiasts and researchers interested in observing and studying the Purple-crowned Fairy in its natural habitat in Colombia.
Taxonomy
The Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Heliothryx
- Species: Heliothryx barroti
Vocalization
The vocalizations of the Purple-crowned Fairy typically consist of high-pitched, rapid, and melodic chirps and trills.
The males often produce complex songs during their courtship displays to attract females and establish their territories. These songs can vary in length and structure but generally consist of repeated notes or phrases. The vocal repertoire of the Purple-crowned Fairy may also include whistles, clicks, and other vocalizations to convey different messages to conspecifics.
