Blue-tufted Starthroat
Heliomaster furcifer
The Blue-tufted Starthroat (Heliomaster furcifer) is a rare hummingbird found in 6 countries, weighing about 5 g. The blue-tufted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Blue-tufted Starthroat
The blue-tufted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and possibly Ecuador.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The blue-tufted starthroat is 12.6 to 13 cm (5.0 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 5 to 6.5 g (0.18 to 0.23 oz). Both sexes of all subspecies have a long, decurved, black bill and a small white spot behind the eye. Both have a forked tail but the female's is less deeply indented than the male's. Males in breeding plumage have an emerald green crown, nape, and upper back; the rest of the upperparts are shining coppery green. The throat is glittering violet. The underparts and elongated feathers on the sides of the neck are iridescent ultramarine. Voice: The blue-tufted starthroat does not appear to have a conventional song. It does make "a descending, pure-whistled 'tseep'" call.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-tufted Starthroat?
- The blue-tufted starthroat is 12.6 to 13 cm (5.0 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 5 to 6.5 g (0.18 to 0.23 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-tufted Starthroat?
- The Blue-tufted Starthroat is a tiny sized bird weighing about 5 g.
- Where can you see a Blue-tufted Starthroat?
- The Blue-tufted Starthroat occurs in 6 countries, including Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-tufted Starthroat?
- The Blue-tufted Starthroat is most easily confused with the Plain-capped Starthroat, the Stripe-breasted Starthroat and the Long-billed Starthroat.
- Is the Blue-tufted Starthroat endangered?
- The Blue-tufted Starthroat is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-tufted Starthroat for real
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