Peru's Endemic Birds V: Black Metaltail

	Apodiformes
	Trochilidae
	Metallura
	Peru (endemic)
	Least Concern

Black Metaltail (Metallura phoebe) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes" tribe (Lesbiini) of the subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Peru.

Taxonomy

• Authority: (Lesson & Delattre, 1839)
• Synonyms:
  • Ornismya phoebe
  • Ornismya cupreicauda
• Taxonomic Notes:
  • Monotypic species (no subspecies)
  • Considered the basal species of the genus Metallura
  • Slight differences between northern and southern populations suggest potential subspecies

Description

• Size:
  • Length: Approximately 11.5 cm
  • Weight: About 6 grams
• Bill: Medium-length, straight, black
• Adult Male:
  • Overall black with a purplish or rosy gray sheen
  • Slightly forked tail with iridescent bronzy gold and rosy gray on its upper side and glittering golden-orange on its underside
  • Conspicuous white spot behind the eye
  • Glittering turquoise green gorget
• Adult Female:
  • Dark smoky gray overall
  • Smaller gorget compared to the male
• Juveniles:
  • Similar to adult females but lack a gorget

Distribution and Habitat

• Geographic Range:
  • Western slopes of the Peruvian Andes, from southern Cajamarca Department southward
  • Also found in some inter-Andean valleys
  • Range might extend into Chile, though as of 2022, there are no records there
• Habitat:
  • Montane scrublands, woodlands, and canyons
  • Prefers areas with Polylepis and Puya vegetation
• Elevation:
  • Found between 1,500 and 4,000 meters
  • Most common above 2,700 meters

Behavior

• Movement:
  • Believed to be sedentary
  • Some seasonal elevational movements possible
• Feeding:
  • Feeds on nectar from a variety of low flowers, flowering bushes, shrubs, and trees
  • Also consumes small insects
  • Usually feeds while hovering but may cling to flowers or "rob" nectar by piercing the base of a flower
  • Males defend feeding territories
• Breeding:
  • Egg-laying season likely spans from July to January
  • Nests are cup-shaped, made of moss and lined with feathers
  • Nest locations include steep mossy banks and bases of unused nests of other bird species, possibly canasteros (Asthenes genus)
  • Female alone incubates a clutch of two eggs
  • Incubation period and time to fledging are unknown

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
• Population:
  • Exact size unknown
  • Believed to be decreasing
  • Fairly common in many areas
• Threats:
  • Habitat under significant human pressure
  • Found in some protected areas

Source: Wikipedia

Photo: eBird