About the Peruvian Sheartail
The Peruvian sheartail is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is the only species placed in the genus Thaumastura. It is found in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The male Peruvian sheartail is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long and weighs about 2.5 g (0.088 oz). The female about 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long and weighs about 2.6 g (0.092 oz). It is among the tiniest hummingbirds. Both sexes have a short, straight, black bill. Both sexes have metallic green upperparts, including the top of the face, that are darker towards the tail. The female's green has a faint beige tinge. Both sexes have an indistinct white spot behind the eye. Males have an iridescent magenta gorget that appears cyan or black at different angles; the female's throat is cream. Voice: The male Peruvian sheartail's song is "squeaky, incessant, undirected has at least 4 syllables". It is given from a perch or during the shuttle flight and can last a minute or more. Shorter versions are given during agonistic encounters with other males. Both sexes make "a short chip call".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Gorgeted SunangelHeliangelus strophianusThe gorgeted sunangel is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs about 5.3 g (0.19 oz).
Mexican SheartailDoricha elizaThis is a tiny bird, weighing only 2.4 to 2.6 g (0.085 to 0.092 oz).
Xantus's HummingbirdBasilinna xantusiiXantus's hummingbird is 8.5 to 9.5 cm (3.3 to 3.7 in) long.
Learn the Peruvian Sheartail for real
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