Heliothryx auritus
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) is an exquisitely delicate hummingbird, instantly recognizable by its striking plumage. Measuring approximately 10-14 cm (4-5.5 inches) in length, including its short, deeply forked tail, and weighing a mere 3-6 grams, this species exhibits a slender build and a remarkably straight, pointed black bill. Males boast brilliant metallic blue-green upperparts and stark white underparts, accentuated by a distinctive, iridescent violet-blue to black patch c...
This species inhabits humid tropical evergreen forests, particularly in the understory and forest edge. It is typically found in lowlands and foothills, generally below 1000 meters elevation.
The diet of the Black-eared Fairy primarily consists of nectar, extracted by hovering before flowers, supplemented with small arthropods gleaned from vegetation or captured in flight.
Black-eared Fairies are diurnal and generally solitary, though they may aggregate at abundant food sources. They forage by trap-lining, following a regular circuit of flowers, and also glean small insects from foliage and spiderwebs. Their flight is often described as "wasp-like" – direct and agi...
The Black-eared Fairy boasts a wide distribution across the Amazon Basin and Guianas, indicating a healthy, stable population. Its range extends from southeastern Colombia and eastern Ecuador, across eastern Peru and northern Bolivia, and throughout the Amazonian regions of Brazil. It is also fou...
Least Concern
- The "Fairy" in its name aptly describes its delicate, almost ethereal appearance and agile flight. - It is one of only two species in the genus Heliothryx, the other being the Purple-crowned Fairy. - Males possess a highly iridescent ear patch that can shift in color from violet-blue to black d...