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| Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta) |
Common name:
green-fronted lancebill (en); bico-de-lança-de-testa-verde (pt); porte-lance de Louise (fr); colibrí picolanza mayor (es); grünstirn-lanzettschnabel (de)
Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae
Range:
This species is found from Costa Rica to Colombia and western Venezuela, and along the ndes down to central Bolivia.
Size:
These birds are 13 cm long and weigh 5-6 g.
Habitat:
The green-fronted lancebill is mostly found in mountain rainforests, also using rainforests at lower altitudes and moist tropical scrublands. They are present at altitudes of 750-2.300 m.
Diet:
They feed mainly on nectar of various plants, including epiphytes, scrubs, herbs and trees, usually preferring small, colourful and scented flowers. They also take some small spiders and insects.
Breeding:
These birds breed in July-January. The males are polygamous, mating with several females and having no further part in the breeding process. Each female builds the nest alone, consisting of a small cup made of plant fibres, rootlets and spider webs and lined with moss, soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down. It is placed in a rocky ledge or tree hollow, up to 20 m above the ground and usually near a stream. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 20-21 days. She feeds the chicks alone and they fledge 29-30 days after hatching.
Conservation:
IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon. There is no information on population trends.
