Peru Bird Species XIV: Long-tailed Sylph

	Apodiformes
	Trochilidae
	Aglaiocercus
	Andes from Venezuela do Bolivia
	Least Concern

The Long‑tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) is a hummingbird species found in the Andean regions of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, inhabiting humid montane forests and edges at elevations between 900 and 3,000 m.

Key Features

• Length & Weight:
  • Males: 16–19 cm long, with tail feathers making up ~12 cm; 5–6 g weight.
  • Females: 9.7–11.7 cm; 4.5–4.7 g weight.
• Plumage (Male):
  • Metallic emerald‑green upperparts.
  • Blue or violet throat patch.
  • Iridescent long forked tail (green, blue, or purple).
• Plumage (Female):
  • Metallic green upperparts.
  • Cinnamon belly, buffy throat with green speckles.
  • Shorter forked tail with white tips.

Habitat and Range

• Found in humid montane forests, forest edges, and secondary woodlands.
• Common in gardens and flowering shrubs at high elevations.
• Occurs from 900 to 2,500 m (occasionally up to 3,000 m).
• Ranges across several Andean countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Feeding Behavior

• Feeds on nectar through trap‑lining (visiting a circuit of flowers).
• Defends rich flower patches from other hummingbirds.
• Hovers to feed but may also cling to flowers.
• Occasionally robs nectar by piercing the base of flowers.
• Supplements diet with small insects and spiders caught mid‑air or from perches.

Reproduction

• Breeding season: Mainly February to October (but may occur year‑round).
• Nest: Bulky, moss‑lined dome with a side entrance, suspended from a branch.
• Eggs: Two white eggs; female incubates 15–17 days.
• Fledging: 21–24 days after hatching; female raises chicks alone.

Conservation Status

• Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
• Relatively common, but local populations may decline due to habitat loss.
• Protected in several Andean reserves and cloud‑forest areas.

Source: Wikipedia

Photo: Holmes Pantoja