Black-breasted Hillstar
Oreotrochilus melanogaster
The Black-breasted Hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster) is a rare hummingbird found only in Peru, weighing about 9 g. The black-breasted hillstar is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae.
About the Black-breasted Hillstar
The black-breasted hillstar is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-breasted hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs about 8.4 g (0.30 oz). Adults have a medium length slightly decurved black bill. The male's upperparts are bronzy brown. It has a shining emerald green gorget, grayish brown flanks, and entirely black breast, belly, and vent area. The tail is slightly forked and blue-black. The female is dull bronzy brown above and below. Its throat is pale with fine dark speckles. The tail is greenish black and the outer three or four pairs of feathers are white at their tips. Voice: The black-breasted hillstar's vocalizations are not well known, but it makes a "fast squeaky twittering with rising and falling sequences" when chasing.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Black-breasted Hillstar can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-breasted Hillstar?
- The black-breasted hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs about 8.4 g (0.30 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-breasted Hillstar?
- The Black-breasted Hillstar is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Black-breasted Hillstar?
- The Black-breasted Hillstar is endemic to Peru, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Black-breasted Hillstar?
- The Black-breasted Hillstar is most easily confused with the Wedge-tailed Hillstar, the Green-headed Hillstar and the Blue-throated Hillstar.
- Is the Black-breasted Hillstar endangered?
- The Black-breasted Hillstar is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-breasted Hillstar for real
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