Heliomaster squamosus
The Stripe-breasted Starthroat (*Heliomaster squamosus*) is a dazzling, medium-sized hummingbird renowned for its striking plumage and acrobatic flight. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length, including its distinctive long, straight black bill, and weighing a mere 4.5-5.5 grams, this species is a delicate marvel. Males boast brilliant iridescent violet-purple throats, flanked by prominent white malar stripes that extend down the breast, giving the species its common name...
Found in a variety of open woodlands, forest edges, clearings, secondary growth, plantations, and gardens, from sea level up to approximately 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) in humid to semi-arid zones.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, using its long bill and tongue to access deep-throated flowers, supplemented by small insects captured in flight.
Primarily diurnal, the Stripe-breasted Starthroat is a solitary and often aggressive species, frequently observed perching conspicuously on dead snags or exposed branches from which it scans for flowers and insects. It employs a combination of traplining, regularly visiting a circuit of scattered...
The Stripe-breasted Starthroat is endemic to southeastern South America, primarily inhabiting eastern Brazil, extending from Pernambuco south to Rio Grande do Sul. Its range also includes eastern Paraguay and the northeastern tip of Argentina, specifically the province of Misiones. While generall...
Least Concern
- The 'starthroat' name for its genus, *Heliomaster*, literally means 'sun master', referring to the brilliant, star-like iridescence of the males' throats. - Its extremely long, straight bill is perfectly adapted for extracting nectar from tubular flowers, acting like a specialized probe. - Desp...