Violet-capped Woodnymph

Overview

The violet-capped woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis) is a small hummingbird species found in South America. It belongs to the 'emeralds' tribe within the subfamily Trochilinae and is currently classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Small hummingbird measuring 8 to 11 cm in length, with adult males weighing between 4 and 6.1 g.
• Adult males display a glittering violet-blue forehead and crown, dark golden-green upperparts, and a steel blue forked tail with brilliant green underparts.
• Adult females are entirely green above and dirty white to pale buff below, featuring a slightly forked tail with metallic green inner feathers and steel blue outer feathers tipped in white.
• Song consists of a monotonous rapid series of evenly spaced metallic chips, while flight calls include short dry chips, trills, or chatters.

Habitat

Found in eastern and southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, and northern Uruguay, inhabiting the interior and edges of primary forests, scrublands, and suburban or urban parks and gardens. Its elevation range spans from sea level to 850 m.

Diet

This species forages for nectar at all levels of its habitat from a wide variety of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees. It also captures small insects by hawking from a perch and gleaning from vegetation.

Did you know?

The specific epithet 'glaucopis' is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'glaucos' and 'ops', meaning a blue-grey or glaucous face.