Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Tilmatura dupontii
The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar (Tilmatura dupontii) is a rare hummingbird found in 5 countries, weighing about 2 g. The sparkling-tailed woodstar, also known as the sparkling-tailed hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds".
About the Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
The sparkling-tailed woodstar, also known as the sparkling-tailed hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is the only species placed in the genus Tilmatura. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Male sparkling-tailed woodstars are 8.2 to 10.1 cm (3.2 to 4.0 in) long. Females are 5.8 to 7.5 cm (2.3 to 3.0 in) long. Twelve specimens weighed an average of 2.23 g (0.079 oz). Both sexes have a long, straight, black bill and a large white patch on each side of the rump. Males have metallic green upperparts, a grayish white breast, and dark metallic bronze green belly and flanks. Their gorget is metallic violet blue. The central two pairs of tail feathers are metallic bronze green. The outer three pairs are about four times as long as the inner pairs, giving a deeply forked tail. Voice: The sparkling-tailed woodstar's song is "a very high, thin, but musical squeaking in a continuous stream, rising and falling slightly and lasting for many seconds at a time." It is sung from a high exposed perch. It also occasionally gives "high, sharp, twittering chirps".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar can be seen all year round, 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 Sparkling-tailed Woodstar?
- Male sparkling-tailed woodstars are 8.2 to 10.1 cm (3.2 to 4.0 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sparkling-tailed Woodstar?
- The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar is a tiny sized bird weighing about 2 g.
- Where can you see a Sparkling-tailed Woodstar?
- The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar occurs in 5 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.
- What birds look similar to a Sparkling-tailed Woodstar?
- The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar is most easily confused with the Tooth-billed Hummingbird, the Stripe-breasted Starthroat and the Blue-throated Starfrontlet.
- Is the Sparkling-tailed Woodstar endangered?
- The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sparkling-tailed Woodstar for real
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