The Perijá metaltail (Metallura iracunda ) is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
In zoology, a nectarivore is an animal that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of the sugar-...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Perijá metaltail is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 3.6 to 4.1 g (0.13 to 0.14 oz). It has a short, straight, black bill. The adult male's upperparts are almost black with a hint of gold; its underparts are dark bronzy green with gold highlights. It has an emerald green gorget and a slightly forked glittering ruby red tail. The adult female is also nearly black above. Its throat and upper breast are ochre-orange with olive green spots and the lower breast and belly are rich buff with green spots. Its outer tail feathers have buffish tips. Juveniles are similar to adult females.
The Perijá metaltail is found in the Serranía del Perijá, which straddles the border between northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. It inhabits the varied landscapes of the different peaks within the mountain range, including open bushy terrain, karstic elfin forest, bamboo stands, grassy páramo, and areas of sandstone outcrops. In elevation it ranges between 2,400 and 3,200 m (7,900 and 10,500 ft) in Colombia and as low as 1,850 m (6,100 ft) in Venezuela.
![Metallura iracunda
Birds of Serran?a de Perij? of Colombia and Venezuela (Ornitologia Colombiana [2014] 14: 62](https://s3.animalia.bio/animals/photos/medium/original/metallura-iracunda-281563516156529.webp)
The Perijá metaltail is believed to be sedentary. Nothing is known about its diet, foraging behavior, or breeding phenology.
The IUCN originally assessed the Perijá metaltail as Near Threatened. In 2000 it changed the rating to Vulnerable and since 2004 has rated it as Endangered. Its "specialised habitat is very restricted and declining habitat loss and degradation is almost certainly now impacting the known location. Smuggling, drug cultivation, and mining all contribute to the habitat destruction.
![Metallura iracunda
Birds of Serran?a de Perij? of Colombia and Venezuela (Ornitologia Colombiana [2014] 14: 62?93)](https://s3.animalia.bio/animals/photos/medium/original/metallura-iracunda-281563600325229.webp)