Black-eared Fairy
Heliothryx auritus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="heliothryx-auritus"></birdfyi-bird>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 |
Identification
Plumage
Blue-chinned Sapphire: males with shining blue chin; metallic green above; white pectoral tufts; females green above with blue-spotted throat
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
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.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Black-eared Fairy eat?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family