🐦

Black-eared Fairy

Heliothryx auritus

Least Concern
Wingspan
13.0 cm
Weight
5.15 g
Family
Trochilidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) is a bird species in the family Trochilidae (hummingbirds), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 13 cm and a weight of 5.2 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.

On this page

About

A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a long, forked tail, glittering green plumage, and bold black ear patches. Found in humid lowland forests from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named for its graceful flight.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 13.0 cm 5.1 in
Weight 5.15 g 0.18 oz

Habitat & Range

Geographic Range

Widespread in Amazonian lowlands from the Guianas south through Brazil and west to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 0–700 m.

Diet & Feeding

Nectarivore robbing nectar from large flowers in forest canopy. Gleans small spiders and soft-bodied insects from leaf surfaces.

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: CP. Incubation: 15-16 days. Fledging: 23-26 days.

Clutch Size

2

Sound

Song

Soft, liquid notes in gentle cascade; flowing sequence of mellow tones with subtle tremolo in misty montane forest.

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Genus Heliothryx
Species Heliothryx auritus

Distribution

Black-eared Fairy has been recorded in 4 countries.

Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Black-eared Fairy eat?
Nectarivore robbing nectar from large flowers in forest canopy. Gleans small spiders and soft-bodied insects from leaf surfaces.
Where does the Black-eared Fairy live?
Widespread in Amazonian lowlands from the Guianas south through Brazil and west to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 0–700 m.
Is the Black-eared Fairy endangered?
The Black-eared Fairy has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Black-eared Fairy nest?
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 15-16 days. Fledging: 23-26 days.
What does the Black-eared Fairy sound like?
Soft, liquid notes in gentle cascade; flowing sequence of mellow tones with subtle tremolo in misty montane forest.
How big is the Black-eared Fairy?
The Black-eared Fairy has a wingspan of 13.0 cm, weight of 5.15 g.
What order and family does the Black-eared Fairy belong to?
The Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Trochilidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Trochilidae family

Compare

Explore More

Explore the Nature FYI Family