Aglaiocercus coelestis
The Violet-tailed Sylph, *Aglaiocercus coelestis*, is an exquisite and easily recognizable hummingbird of the Neotropics, famed for the male's extraordinarily elongated, iridescent tail. Males are a shimmering emerald green with a deep violet rump and distinctively forked, iridescent violet-blue tail streamers that can reach up to 15 cm in length, often more than twice their body size of 9-10 cm (excluding tail). Females, though lacking the extreme tail length (only about 4 cm), are equally s...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and secondary growth, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 meters above sea level.
Their primary diet consists of nectar, extracted from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small arthropods, which provide essential protein.
Violet-tailed Sylphs are diurnal and generally solitary, spending their days actively foraging for nectar and insects. Males are highly territorial, defending prime feeding grounds and display perches with aggressive chases and vocalizations. Courtship involves aerial displays where the male hove...
The Violet-tailed Sylph is endemic to the humid montane forests of the Andes Mountains in South America. Its distribution stretches from southwestern Colombia, through western and eastern Ecuador, and extends into the far northern reaches of Peru. Two recognized subspecies exist: *Aglaiocercus co...
Least Concern
- The male Violet-tailed Sylph's tail can be more than twice its body length, making it one of the most disproportionately long tails in the bird world. - The genus name 'Aglaiocercus' translates to 'splendid tail', a fitting description for these birds. - Females of the species have a distinctiv...