Copper-rumped hummingbird

Amazilia tobaci

(Photo from Wikipedia)


Common name:
copper-rumped hummingbird (en); beija-flor-de-uropígio-acobreado (pt); ariane de Félicie (fr); amazilia de Tobago (es); kupferbürzelamazilie (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of northern, central and eastern Venezuela, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago.

Size:
These birds are 8,5-11 cm long and weigh 4-5 g.

Habitat:
The copper-rumped hummingbird is found in all forest habitats available within its range, including gallery forests, rainforests, cloudforests, mangroves and dry savannas. They also use second growths, plantation, rural gardens and urban areas. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of a wide range of plants, particularly Erythrina and Calliandra.

Breeding:
Copper-rumped hummingbirds breed in November-July. They are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females and having no further part in the breeding process. The female builds the nest alone, a tiny cup made of plant fibres and moss, and lined with soft plant fibres, hairs and feather down. It is usually placed on an horizontal branch, low in a tree or scrub. She lays 2 white eggs which she incubated alone for 16-17 days. The chicks fledge 19-23 days after hatching. Each female can raise yp to 3 broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common.