🐦

Purple-backed Sunbeam

Aglaeactis aliciae

Vulnerable
Envergure
16,2 cm
Poids
7,4 g
Famille
Trochilidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes

À propos

A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to a small area in the Andes of northern Peru at 2,900-3,500 m. Purple-backed with buff underparts. Nectarivore of montane scrub. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range. One of Peru's rarest hummingbirds.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Envergure 16,2 cm 6.4 in
Poids 7,4 g 0.26 oz

Identification

Plumage

Blue-capped Puffleg: males with brilliant blue cap and gorget; metallic green body; white leg puffs; females green above; spotted

Habitat & Range

Répartition géographique

Endemic to Peru along the Río Marañón drainage in the arid upper Andes. 2,400–3,800 m. Critically endangered.

Diet & Feeding

Nectarivore of restricted Peruvian high puna; visits Chuquiraga and cushion-plant flowers. Gleans tiny arthropods.

Statut de conservation

Vulnerable
IUCN Red List

Son

Chant

Sharp, buzzy chip followed by rapid trill; emphatic onset launching into rough cascading notes typical of sunbeam.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Famille Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Genus Aglaeactis
Espèces Aglaeactis aliciae

Distribution

Purple-backed Sunbeam has been recorded in 1 countries.

{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}
Présent Not recorded
{# Simplified country/region shapes — major landmasses with ISO alpha-2 data attributes. These are simplified polygon representations for visual distribution display. #}

countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Purple-backed Sunbeam eat?
Nectarivore of restricted Peruvian high puna; visits Chuquiraga and cushion-plant flowers. Gleans tiny arthropods.
Where does the Purple-backed Sunbeam live?
Endemic to Peru along the Río Marañón drainage in the arid upper Andes. 2,400–3,800 m. Critically endangered.
Is the Purple-backed Sunbeam endangered?
The Purple-backed Sunbeam has a conservation status of Vulnerable.
What does the Purple-backed Sunbeam sound like?
Sharp, buzzy chip followed by rapid trill; emphatic onset launching into rough cascading notes typical of sunbeam.
How big is the Purple-backed Sunbeam?
The Purple-backed Sunbeam has a wingspan of 16.2 cm, weight of 7.4 g.
What order and family does the Purple-backed Sunbeam belong to?
The Purple-backed Sunbeam (Aglaeactis aliciae) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Trochilidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Trochilidae family

Comparer

Explore More

Explore the Nature FYI Family