HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Tooth-billed Hummingbird

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Androdon aequatorialis

The Tooth-billed Hummingbird is a species of bird from the family Trochilidae. It is monotypic within the genus Androdon.

It is a fairly large hummingbird with a total length of 5 1⁄2 inches, which includes the long, essentially straight bill of 1 1⁄2 inches.

Its common name refers to the small tooth-like serrations on the inner part of the distal half of the bill.

It is shiny green above with a coppery crown. Underparts are whitish streaked dusky. The rounded tail is grayish with a broad black subterminal band and white tips.

There is a conspicuous white band on the rump. In males, the bill has a small hook at the tip and more prominent tooth-like spikes; their plumage color averages brighter overall than females.

While the green upper parts of this species are iridescent, its plumage is duller than that of most hummingbirds. Within its range, it is essentially unmistakable by the combination of the long, almost straight bill and the dark- streaked whitish underparts.

CALL: Include a high-pitches "tsit- tseé-tsu" and penetrating "cheet" notes.

Feeds on nectar from flowers of plant families such Ericaceae and Gesneriaceae. It also catches small spiders and insects.

Restricted to humid primary forests and nearby second growth.

Western Colombia, north-western Ecuador (south to Pichincha Province), and far eastern Panama (Darién Province).

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://ebird.org