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The green thorntail is a small hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Male green thorntails are about 9.5 to 10.2 cm (3.7 to 4.0 in) long and females about 6.6 to 7.5 cm (2.6 to 3.0 in). Five individuals whose sex was not recorded had an average weight of 3.0 g (0.11 oz). The adult male has a dark green crown and a lighter more metallic green back. The coppery bronze rump has bluish black inclusions and a white band across it. The bluish black tail is deeply forked and the outer feathers are very narrow, giving the species its common name. Voice: The green thorntail is usually silent, but makes "soft, squeaky chipping in interactions".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in February · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Wire-crested ThorntailDiscosura popelairiiThe wire-crested thorntail is one of the smallest birds on Earth, with a mature weight of about 2.5 g (0.088 oz).
Black-bellied ThorntailDiscosura langsdorffiThe black-bellied thorntail weighs about 3.2 g (0.11 oz).
Racket-tipped ThorntailDiscosura longicaudusMale racket-tipped thorntails are 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long and females about 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in).
Learn the Green Thorntail for real
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