Violet-tailed Sylph Hummingbird

Description:

A stunningly beautiful hummingbird of South America, the violet-tailed sylph is named after the striking tail of the male: an extremely long, deeply forked, metallic violet plume of feathers, tipped with blue. The remainder of the male’s plumage is equally as beautiful, shimmering iridescent green on the upper parts, turning slightly darker on the underside, and with patches of violet-blue feathers adorning the throat and the rump

Habitat:

This striking bird inhabits cloud forest between 300 and 2,100 metres above sea level, most frequently over 900 metres The Sylths usually forage near the ground, making repeated circuits to the flowers on vines, trees, or shrubs distantly spaced from one another. Some altitudinal migration occurs based on the flowering time of plants. They also gather insects from plants or by aerial hawking.

Notes:

Seen at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary.