HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Fiery-Tailed Awlbill 

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Avocettula recurvirostris

The Fiery-Tailed Awlbill is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Avocettula.

Other names for the Fiery-Tailed Awlbill around the world include Mango Picolezna, Colibri Avocette, and Schwarzbauch-Avosettkolibri.

It is a small hummingbird, typically measures about 3.1 - 4 inches length.

The main distinction between this bird and other hummingbirds is its bill that is slightly curved upwards at the tip.

This species displays sexual dimorphism in color, with males being fully dark green with a black streak near their abdomen while females have a white underbelly that is marked with black line down the middle.

They are often confused with Black-Throated Mango Hummingbirds. However, they can be differentiated by looking for a curve in the beak.

They will aggressively protect areas that contain their favorite flowers. While some hummingbirds offer pollination to flowers, others, like the Fiery-Tailed Awlbill, use their short, sharp beaks to pierce the flowers and drink the nectar without actually pollinating them.

Mainly feed on nectar from flowers and prey on small insects. They prefer red tubular flowers as they produce nectar that is higher in sugar content.

They can be found in drier habitats such as savannas, forest edges, and dry zones on large granite outcrops.

Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

The female is responsible for building the nest and raising the chicks.

She builds the nest with spiderwebs, lichens, grass, feathers, moss, and other plant fibers. It is usually found on branches that are 5 - 12 meters above the ground.

The female usually lay 2 eggs per clutch but it can range from 1 – 3.

SOURCE:
https://en.wikipedia.org