HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Golden-Bellied Starfrontlet

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Coeligena bonapartei

The Golden-Bellied Starfrontlet is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family.

It is a large hummingbird with an average length of 4.5 inches, 1.3 inches very long bill and weight of 6.5 grams.

Adult males have a blackish crown with a glittery green patch over the bill (a ‘frontlet’). Back is golden-green with a greenish-copper rump. There is a rufous-buff patch on the tertial wing feathers which is conspicuous in flight.

Breast glitters green, as does the throat except for a small violet patch in the center. Belly is coppery to reddish gold and glitters intensely. Tail is bronze-green and slightly forked.

Adult females are similar are but duller. The green patch over the bill is matte, throat is plain buff, and breast is buff with many green spots. They also lack the tertial patch.

It follows a habitual path or "trap-line" with stops at flowering plants such as Bomarea, Cavendishia, Fuchsia, Macleonia, Mutisia, and Palicouria, whose nectar it feeds on. It also catches insects in flight and gleans them off plants.

Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Colombia and a small part of Venezuela.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://ebird.org
https://www.oiseaux.net