Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Urochroa bougueri
The Rufous-gaped Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri) is a rare hummingbird found in 2 countries, weighing about 11 g. The rufous-gaped hillstar, formerly included in the white-tailed hillstar, is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae.
About the Rufous-gaped Hillstar
The rufous-gaped hillstar, formerly included in the white-tailed hillstar, is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-gaped hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long including its approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) bill. It weighs 8.5 to 12.5 g (0.30 to 0.44 oz). The sexes are alike. They have a long, straight, black bill and coppery green upperparts. The English name comes from the rufous-cinnamon malar streak on the face. The throat and breast are iridescent blue and the belly dull gray. The central and outermost tail feathers are black and the rest white with dusky gray edges. Juveniles are similar to adults with the addition of buffy fringes on the head feathers.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Rufous-gaped Hillstar can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-gaped Hillstar?
- The rufous-gaped hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long including its approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) bill. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-gaped Hillstar?
- The Rufous-gaped Hillstar is a tiny sized bird weighing about 11 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-gaped Hillstar?
- The Rufous-gaped Hillstar occurs in 2 countries, including Colombia and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-gaped Hillstar?
- The Rufous-gaped Hillstar is most easily confused with the Green-backed Hillstar.
- Is the Rufous-gaped Hillstar endangered?
- The Rufous-gaped Hillstar is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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