Perija starfrontlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perija starfrontlet |
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| Illustration by John Gould | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Coeligena
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| Species: |
consita
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| Synonyms | |
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Coeligena bonapartei consita |
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The Perija starfrontlet (Coeligena consita) is a beautiful hummingbird that lives in the mountains. It is an Endangered species, meaning it is at risk of disappearing forever. You can find this special bird in parts of Colombia and Venezuela.
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About the Perija Starfrontlet
The Perija starfrontlet is a type of hummingbird. It belongs to a group of hummingbirds called "brilliants." Scientists study these birds to understand how they are related to each other. Sometimes, they even debate if a bird is a full species or a subspecies. For now, many experts agree the Perija starfrontlet is its own unique species.
What Does It Look Like?
The Perija starfrontlet is about 11 cm (4.3 in) long. That's about the length of your hand! Its bill is about 3.0 cm (1.2 in) long.
Male Perija Starfrontlet
Adult males have a dark crown on their head. Their forehead sparkles with green. They also have a small white spot right behind their eye. Their back is a shiny dark green. This color changes to a golden orange near their tail. Their throat and chest are a glittering green. They have a small, deep blue patch on their throat. The rest of their belly can be sparkling copper or reddish gold. Their wings are dark, with a reddish-brown patch. Their tail is slightly forked and a golden bronzy green color.
Female Perija Starfrontlet
Adult females have a plain green forehead. The spot behind their eye is white or a buffy orange color. The rest of their upper body looks like the male's, but the colors are not as bright. Their throat is a light, yellowish-brown color with green spots on the sides. Their chest is a mix of light brown and green. The rest of their belly is mostly cinnamon. Their lower belly is a fiery gold, and the area near their tail is coppery gold. Young birds look similar to adult females.
Where Does It Live?
The Perija starfrontlet lives in the Serranía del Perijá mountain range. This mountain range is on the border between northeastern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. It likes to live inside and at the edges of wet forests. It also lives in "elfin forests," which are forests with small, twisted trees. You can find these birds at high elevations, from 1,400 to 3,200 m (4,600 to 10,500 ft) above sea level.
Behavior
Movement
The Perija starfrontlet does not migrate. It stays in the same area all year long. This means it is a permanent resident.
Feeding Habits
This hummingbird loves to drink nectar from tube-shaped flowers. It usually feeds from flowers that are low to medium height. It has been seen feeding from plants like Bomarea, Cavendishia, Fuchsia, and Palicourea. Besides nectar, it also eats small arthropods (like insects or spiders). It catches them by picking them off leaves, hovering in the air, or catching them while flying.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists do not know much about how the Perija starfrontlet breeds. We don't have information about their nests, eggs, or how they raise their young.
Sounds and Calls
As of early 2023, there are no known recordings of the Perija starfrontlet's sounds or calls. This means we don't know what sounds they make!
Status and Conservation
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Perija starfrontlet as an Endangered species. This means it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. There are only an estimated 250 to 1000 adult birds left. Their numbers are decreasing.
The main reason their population is shrinking is because their habitat is being destroyed. People are clearing forests for farming, raising animals, mining, and other human activities. This breaks up their homes into smaller pieces, making it harder for the birds to survive.
