🐦

Black-breasted Hillstar

Oreotrochilus melanogaster

Least Concern
Wingspan
14.4 cm
Weight
7.75 g
Family
Trochilidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

The Black-breasted Hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster) is a bird species in the family Trochilidae (hummingbirds), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 14.4 cm and a weight of 7.8 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.

On this page

About

A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in the Andes of central Peru at 3,000-4,500 m. Males have a black breast contrasting with green upperparts and white belly. Nectarivore of puna grasslands and rocky slopes. An endemic of Peru's central Andean highlands.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 14.4 cm 5.7 in
Weight 7.75 g 0.27 oz

Habitat & Range

Geographic Range

Endemic to central and southern Peru in the Andes in puna grassland and scrub at 3,500–4,800 m elevation.

Diet & Feeding

Nectarivore of Bolivian altiplano; forages at Ericaceae and Chuquiraga in arid puna. Takes small insects opportunistically.

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: CP.

Clutch Size

2

Sound

Song

Rapid, light chips in animated sequence; bright staccato notes with bouncy quality during active territorial display.

Taxonomy

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

Distribution

Black-breasted Hillstar has been recorded in 1 countries.

Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Black-breasted Hillstar eat?
Nectarivore of Bolivian altiplano; forages at Ericaceae and Chuquiraga in arid puna. Takes small insects opportunistically.
Where does the Black-breasted Hillstar live?
Endemic to central and southern Peru in the Andes in puna grassland and scrub at 3,500–4,800 m elevation.
Is the Black-breasted Hillstar endangered?
The Black-breasted Hillstar has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Black-breasted Hillstar nest?
Nest type: CP.
What does the Black-breasted Hillstar sound like?
Rapid, light chips in animated sequence; bright staccato notes with bouncy quality during active territorial display.
How big is the Black-breasted Hillstar?
The Black-breasted Hillstar has a wingspan of 14.4 cm, weight of 7.75 g.
What order and family does the Black-breasted Hillstar belong to?
The Black-breasted Hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster) 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