Sombre Hummingbird

Overview

The sombre hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) is a monotypic species within the tribe Trochilini that is endemic to Brazil. It is a year-round resident throughout its range, where it is considered locally common to common in most areas.

Identification

• Approximately 12 cm (4.7 in) long with a weight of 7.1 to 9 g.
• Upperparts are bronzy green to blackish bronzy green with a coppery sheen on the uppertail coverts.
• Underparts are dull gray with a few dull green spots on the throat.
• Slightly decurved black bill and a square tail with shiny green central feathers.
• Song is a high-pitched 'tchui-ui', often repeated and sometimes doubled.

Habitat

Found in eastern Brazil from Pernambuco south to Rio Grande do Sul and west to Mato Grosso, the species inhabits the edges and understory of humid primary and secondary forests, as well as plantations and gardens. Its core habitat is the Atlantic Forest, though it also occurs in the transition zone between the cerrado and caatinga biomes.

Diet

This bird forages for nectar from various flowering plants, including introduced Eucalyptus, from the understory up to 30 m above the ground. It also captures arthropods by hawking from a perch and is highly territorial, spending significant time defending flower patches.

Did you know?

The sombre hummingbird is highly aggressive, spending half of its time defending flower patches from both its own species and other hummingbirds. It produces at least six distinct calls, including 'chirp', 'guttural', 'vibrato', 'whistle', 'crack', and 'high-pitch'.