Higher classification Amazilia | Phylum Chordata Family Trochilidae Scientific name Amazilia cyanura Rank Species | |
Similar Green‑fronted hummingbird, Green‑bellied hummingbird, Azure‑crowned hummingbird, Plain‑bellied emerald, White‑bellied emerald | ||
The blue-tailed hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura), sometimes placed in the genus Saucerottia, is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.
Contents
Subspecies
Subspecies within this species include:
Distribution
This species can be found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest. These hummingbirds can be found in humid and dry oak or pine forests, in open woodlands and in coffee plantations, at altitudes of 3,300 feet or lower.
Biology
Amazilia cyanura feed on nectar of many flowers, but especially of Inga flowers. It is also an agile flycatcher.
Description
Amazilia cyanura can reach a length of 9–10 millimetres (0.35–0.39 in). These hummingbirds show a metallic deep green plumage, a characteristic deep blue tail and in proper lighting chestnut or rufous wings. Rump and uppertail coverts are purplish. The bill is black. Females are duller than males and have a grayish belly, and less rufous wings. This species is very similar to Steely-vented Hummingbirds (Amazilia saucerrottei) and to Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina).
