Discosura popelairii
A diminutive and dazzling jewel of the Andean cloud forests, the Wire-crested Thorntail (*Discosura popelairii*) is a true spectacle among hummingbirds. Males measure a mere 7.5-8.5 cm, with a significant portion dedicated to its extraordinary tail, while females are slightly smaller at 6.5-7 cm. Their appearance is marked by brilliant iridescent green plumage across the body, a striking dark blue crown, and a distinctive white patch on the rump. The male's crowning glory is its short, bushy ...
Inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forest edges, and semi-open clearings with flowering plants in the Andean foothills, typically found at elevations between 600 and 2,000 meters.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of small, flowering plants, supplementing its diet with small insects like gnats and flies, which are hawked in flight.
Typically a solitary and highly active diurnal bird, the Wire-crested Thorntail spends its day foraging and defending its small feeding territories. It employs two primary foraging strategies: hovering gracefully in front of small, nectar-rich flowers, often in the understory or mid-story, and de...
The Wire-crested Thorntail is a resident species primarily distributed along the humid, tropical and subtropical western and central slopes of the Andes. Its range extends from southern Colombia (Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo departments) southward through both the western and eastern slopes of Ecuador...
Least Concern
- The male's striking "wire" tail is actually composed of two elongated central rectrices (tail feathers) that cross over each other, a truly unique adaptation among birds. - Despite its small size (males around 8 cm including tail), it's incredibly agile and fast, capable of darting and hovering...