Augastes lumachella
The Hooded Visorbearer, *Augastes lumachella*, is a breathtakingly vibrant hummingbird, measuring approximately 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 inches) in length and weighing a mere 3-4 grams. Males are instantly recognizable by their intensely glittering purple-violet crown, which gives the species its 'hooded' moniker, contrasted with an iridescent golden-green 'visor' extending across the forehead and lores. The rest of its upperparts are bronzy-green, while the underparts are blackish, punctuated by a d...
Found exclusively in montane scrubland, particularly the campo rupestre and open cerrado habitats, and forest edges at elevations typically ranging from 900 to 1500 meters.
Primarily nectarivorous, feeding on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, especially those with specialized flower structures, complemented by small arthropods caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
Hooded Visorbearers are diurnal and intensely active, primarily foraging for nectar from specific flowering plants, often employing a 'trap-lining' strategy where individuals visit a regular circuit of flowers. They also supplement their diet with small arthropods, which are caught in mid-air or ...
The Hooded Visorbearer is strictly endemic to a relatively small, fragmented range within the Chapada Diamantina mountain range, located in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Its distribution is confined to high-altitude areas, typically between 900 and 1500 meters above sea level, where it...
Near Threatened
- The Hooded Visorbearer is one of only two species in the genus *Augastes*, making it a highly specialized evolutionary lineage. - Its scientific name, *lumachella*, is Latin for 'little snail,' potentially referring to the iridescent, shell-like quality of its brilliant crown. - This species is...