Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
GrasslandCup nestTiny · 6 g
ID tip
The blue-mantled thornbill is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long; males weigh about 6.2 g (0.22 oz) and females 4.5 g (0.16 oz). Both sexes have a short straight black bill and a small white spot behind the eye. Adult males of the nominate subspecies are generally dark sooty brown. The crown and nape have a bronzy green sheen, the back reflects violet-blue, and the uppertail coverts are turquoise. The forked tail is steel blue. They have a narrow gorget that is emerald green on the chin and transitions through pink to purple-violet or violet-blue at the lower edge. Voice: The blue-mantled thornbill's calls have been described as "a descending squeaky twitter followed by a mellower upslurred note" and "a downslurred 'tseetsitsitsitsitr-whee-tsew' variations."
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Blue-mantled Thornbill
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Blue-mantled Thornbill
The map shades 3 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.
About the Blue-mantled Thornbill
The blue-mantled thornbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Bronze-tailed ThornbillChalcostigma heteropogonThe bronze-tailed thornbill is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs 5.9 to 6.3 g (0.21 to 0.22 oz).
Rufous-capped ThornbillChalcostigma ruficepsThe rufous-capped thornbill is about 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long and weighs 3.3 to 3.9 g (0.12 to 0.14 oz).
Rainbow-bearded ThornbillChalcostigma herraniThe rainbow-bearded thornbill is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long.
Side by side: Blue-mantled Thornbill vs Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
Learn the Blue-mantled Thornbill in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.