Scissor-tailed hummingbird (Hylonympha macrocerca)

Description

Scissor-tailed hummingbird fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Scissor-tailed hummingbird description

Distinguished by vibrantly-patterned bodies, and acrobatic flying ability, the members of the hummingbird family are recognised as some of the world’s most charismatic birds ⁽⁴⁾. With its scintillating plumage and deeply-forked tail, the aptly named scissor-tailed hummingbird is no exception. The male is mainly dark green, with a violet cap, a dark green hind-crown, a metallic green back, washed golden, and a glittering emerald breast. The rest of the underparts are darker green, becoming black on the belly, and blackish purple down the long tail. The female is dark green, with white spots on the underparts, a white centre to the breast, and a chestnut belly and undertail. The tail of the female is much shorter than that of the male, but the bill is similarly long, black and slightly decurved ^{(2) (5)}.

Spanish

Colibrí Tijereta.

Size

Female weight: 6.5 - 8 g ⁽²⁾

Male weight: 7 - 7.5 g ⁽²⁾

Female length: 12 - 13 cm ⁽²⁾

Male length (including tail): 19 cm ⁽²⁾

Male tail length: 9 - 10 cm ⁽²⁾

Scissor-tailed hummingbird biology

In areas of primary forest, the scissor-tailed hummingbird mainly feeds at bromeliad flowers, using its slim bill and long tongue to access the sugar-rich nectar. In addition, it will often glean insects from bromeliad leaves, or alternatively hawk them from the air. In disturbed, secondary forests, most feeding is associated with the flowers of Helicona aurea and Costus species ^{(2) (5)}.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird range

The scissor-tailed hummingbird is endemic to the Paria Peninsula in north-east Venezuela ^{(2) (5)}.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird habitat

Inhabits humid forest with high trees, with records ranging from 500 to 1,200 metres above sea level ^{(2) (5)}.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird status

Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾ and listed on Appendix II of CITES ⁽³⁾.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird threats

Owing to an increase in cash-crop agriculture, the last few decades have seen the loss and degradation of significant areas of forest habitat within the scissor-tailed hummingbird’s already restricted range ^{(2) (5)}.

Scissor-tailed hummingbird conservation

Although the scissor-tailed hummingbird’s entire range is formally protected within the Paria Peninsula National Park, illegal burning and other forms of habitat destruction still continue within its boundaries ^{(2) (5)}. Improving the protection and management of the national park is therefore a major priority of conservation measures for this species. It is also hoped that alternative, less destructive agricultural techniques can be developed for villagers adjacent to the national park ⁽⁵⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more

For further information on the conservation of hummingbirds see:

• The Hummingbird Society:
  http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/

For more information on this and other bird species please see:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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Glossary

Endemic

A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.

References

1. IUCN Red List (December, 2009)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J. (1999) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
3. CITES (December, 2009)
   http://www.cites.org
4. Burnie, D. (2001) Animal. Dorling Kindersley, London.
5. BirdLife International (December, 2009)
   http://www.birdlife.eu/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1991&m=0
6. Smithsonian National Zoological Park (December, 2009)
   http://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservationandscience/migratorybirds/webcam/hummingbirds.cfm
7. Hainsworth, F.R., Collins, B.G. and Wolf, I.L. (1977) The function of torpor in hummingbirds. Physiological Zoology, 50: 215-222.
8. Bech, C., Abe, A.S., Steffensen, J.F., Berger, M. and Bicudo, J.E.P.W. (1997) Torpor in three species of Brazilian hummingbirds under semi-natural conditions. Condor, 99: 780-788.