Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Heliomaster squamosus
The Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) is a rare hummingbird found in 2 countries, weighing about 6 g. The stripe-breasted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Stripe-breasted Starthroat
The stripe-breasted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The stripe-breasted starthroat is 11.2 to 12.4 cm (4.4 to 4.9 in) long and weighs 5 to 6.5 g (0.18 to 0.23 oz). Both sexes have a long, slightly decurved, black bill, a white streak behind the eye, and a white "moustache". Both have a forked tail but the female's is less deeply indented than the male's. Males in breeding plumage have bronzy green upperparts with an iridescent green crown. Their gorget is glittering violet and the sides of it flare out. Their underparts are greenish-black with a white stripe down the middle. The central tail feathers are black and the rest are dark blue-green. Voice: What is thought to be the stripe-breasted starthroat's song is "a subdued, buzzy scratchy warble 'bzzzrrrr..bzzzrrr..chi-chi-chi-chi..bzrrr'." It also makes "a liquid 'tsik'" call.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Argentina.
When to see it
The Stripe-breasted Starthroat 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 Stripe-breasted Starthroat?
- The stripe-breasted starthroat is 11.2 to 12.4 cm (4.4 to 4.9 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 Stripe-breasted Starthroat?
- The Stripe-breasted Starthroat is a tiny sized bird weighing about 6 g.
- Where can you see a Stripe-breasted Starthroat?
- The Stripe-breasted Starthroat occurs in 2 countries, including Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Stripe-breasted Starthroat?
- The Stripe-breasted Starthroat is most easily confused with the Blue-tufted Starthroat, the Plain-capped Starthroat and the Long-billed Starthroat.
- Is the Stripe-breasted Starthroat endangered?
- The Stripe-breasted Starthroat is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Stripe-breasted Starthroat for real
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