Purple-collared Woodstar

Overview

The purple-collared woodstar (Myrtis fanny) is a species of hummingbird in the tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, commonly known as the 'bee hummingbirds'. It is the only member of its genus and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length ranges from 7.5 to 8 cm with a weight of 2.3 to 2.5 g, featuring a short, decurved, black bill in both sexes.
• Males display an iridescent aquamarine gorget with a shiny violet band, while females have buff underparts with some white on the throat and belly.
• Males possess a long, forked tail that is dusky brown glossed with light green, whereas females have a short, rounded tail with central feathers that are blue-green and outer feathers that are black with white tips.
• The male's vocalisations include a series of twittering 'ti-ti-ti-trl' phrases during courtship and a nasal 'anh-anh-anh' sound at the bottom of the display flight.

Habitat

Found in Ecuador and Peru, the species inhabits open landscapes such as dry coastal scrub, open woodlands, and gardens. It ranges in elevation from sea level to 3,000 m, though in Ecuador it is most commonly found between 1,000 and 2,000 m.

Diet

The purple-collared woodstar feeds on nectar by trap-lining, visiting a circuit of flowering plants. It also captures and consumes small insects on the wing.

Did you know?

During courtship, males perform a semicircular display flight, producing a remarkable, nasal-sounding 'anh-anh-anh-anh-anh' at the bottom of the manoeuvre.