Heliomaster furcifer
The Blue-tufted Starthroat (Heliomaster furcifer) is a striking medium-sized hummingbird, easily identified by its distinctive sexual dimorphism and iridescent plumage. Males typically measure around 12-13 cm in length, including their long, deeply forked tail which contributes significantly to their overall size, and weigh approximately 4-6 grams. They boast a dazzling, iridescent violet-blue gorget and prominent iridescent blue tufts on the sides of their neck, contrasting sharply with thei...
This species primarily inhabits open or semi-open landscapes, including dry grasslands, savannas, shrublands, forest edges, and cultivated areas like plantations and gardens, generally found at lower to mid-elevations.
The primary diet consists of nectar, extracted from a variety of flowers using their long, slender bill and tongue, supplemented by small insects and spiders for protein, often caught in flight or gleaned from foliage.
Blue-tufted Starthroats are diurnal and primarily solitary, though they may gather loosely at abundant food sources. Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, vigorously defending prime nectar patches from rivals and other hummingbird species through aerial pursuits and vocal displ...
The Blue-tufted Starthroat has a wide but disjunct distribution across central and southern South America. Its primary breeding range extends from southern Bolivia, Paraguay, and parts of southern Brazil, through Uruguay, and into northern and central Argentina. During the austral winter months (...
Least Concern
- The male's iridescent blue gorget can appear jet black in poor light, only revealing its brilliant color when viewed from the correct angle relative to the sun. - Despite its relatively small body, the male's deeply forked tail can account for nearly half of its total body length. - Like all hu...