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Mountain Avocetbill

Opisthoprora euryptera

Least Concern
Wingspan
12.6 cm
Weight
6.4 g
Family
Trochilidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

About

A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) with a distinctive upturned bill tip, unique among hummingbirds. Green plumage. Found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,400-3,500 m. Nectarivore specializing in pendant flowers. The only member of its genus.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 12.6 cm 5.0 in
Weight 6.4 g 0.23 oz

Identification

Plumage

Cozumel Emerald: tiny; males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spots

Habitat & Range

Geographic Range

Found on both Andean slopes in Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest at 2,000–3,200 m elevation. Uncommon.

Diet & Feeding

Nectarivore of high montane forest; upturned bill tip accesses pendant epiphyte flowers. Gleans small insects from mossy branches.

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Clutch Size

2

Sound

Song

Thin, high-pitched twittering; delicate cascade of light notes with silvery quality delivered during aerial foraging.

Taxonomy

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

Distribution

Mountain Avocetbill has been recorded in 3 countries.

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Present Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Mountain Avocetbill eat?
Nectarivore of high montane forest; upturned bill tip accesses pendant epiphyte flowers. Gleans small insects from mossy branches.
Where does the Mountain Avocetbill live?
Found on both Andean slopes in Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest at 2,000–3,200 m elevation. Uncommon.
Is the Mountain Avocetbill endangered?
The Mountain Avocetbill has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What does the Mountain Avocetbill sound like?
Thin, high-pitched twittering; delicate cascade of light notes with silvery quality delivered during aerial foraging.
How big is the Mountain Avocetbill?
The Mountain Avocetbill has a wingspan of 12.6 cm, weight of 6.4 g.
What order and family does the Mountain Avocetbill belong to?
The Mountain Avocetbill (Opisthoprora euryptera) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Trochilidae.

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