HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Fawn-Breasted Brilliant

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Heliodoxa rubinoides

The Fawn-Breasted Brilliant is a member of the hummingbird family, Trochilidae.

Other common names include Lilac- Throated Brilliant in English and Brillante Pechigamuza, Colibrí de Vientre Ocre, and Diamante Pechigamuza in Spanish.

It is a medium-sized hummingbird measuring 4.33 – 4.72 inches in length and weighs 8 grams.

They are green above and an iridescent copper on the underparts. It has areas of fawn and green and copper spotting.

Bill is fairly long and slightly drooped at the tip. Isolated pink throat patch.

Females are similar to males but with more green spotting on underparts and throat patch typically smaller or absent.

Makes two different vocalizations, a series of “tchik” notes and a common “swi-swi- swi-swu” call.

Mainly feed on the nectar of highly scented, brightly colored flowers, but will also hunt small spiders and insects.

Mostly found in mountain rainforests, but also in lowland rainforests, pastures, rural gardens and even within urban areas. They are present at altitudes of 1700-2700 m.

Found in both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes, in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and northern Bolivia.

The female builds a nest in a shrub or tree. It is made of plant fibers, spider webs, animal hairs, and down, and it is lined externally with moss for camouflage.

The female lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 12 days. The chicks are fed and brooded by the female and fledge 20 days after hatching.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://ebird.org
http://planetbirds.blogspot.com
https://www.peruaves.org