Golden starfrontlet

Golden starfrontlet

Golden-tailed starfrontlet

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Coeligena bonapartei eos

The golden starfrontlet (Coeligena bonapartei eos ) or golden-tailed starfrontlet, is usually considered a subspecies of hummingbird endemic to Venezuela. It is often considered a subspecies of the golden-bellied starfrontlet, C. bonapartei.

Appearance

In appearance it strongly resembles the golden-bellied starfrontlet, though it is 0.1 gram heavier at 6.6 g and has a bill that is 3 mm shorter at 30 mm. This species is more golden-bronze overall and has a mostly rufous tail and secondary wing feathers.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

It is "fairly common" but local in "wet mossy montane forest and forest borders" in the Venezuelan Andes at altitudes from 1400 to 3200 meters (4600 to 10,500 feet). It migrates upward during the rainy season (May or June); the time of its return migration is not known.

Habits and Lifestyle

The golden starfrontlet is "hyperactive" even for a hummingbird. Individuals occur at low and medium heights, flying from one flowering plant to another along their established paths or "trap-lines", seldom behaving territorially. They take nectar by hovering and reaching up with their bills into long-tubed flowers such as Centropogon, Fuchsia, and plants of the heath family. They also catch flying insects by "helicoptering" in mid-air, glean insects off leaves, and join mixed feeding flocks. They are quite willing to help mob small owls.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior

References

1. Golden starfrontlet Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_starfrontlet
2. Golden starfrontlet on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61173059/95165504

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About