Brown inca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown inca |
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Coeligena
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| Coeligena wilsoni |
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The brown inca (Coeligena wilsoni) is a special type of hummingbird. You can find it living in the countries of Colombia and Ecuador. Unlike many other hummingbirds that are super colorful, the brown inca is mostly plain brown. It has a cool white patch on its shoulder. If you catch it in just the right light, you might see a shiny, iridescent purple color on its throat!
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What is a Brown Inca?
The brown inca is a small, fascinating bird. It belongs to a group of hummingbirds called Coeligena. These birds are known for their unique looks. Even though it's called "brown," its subtle colors make it stand out.
Where Do Brown Incas Live?
Brown incas live in the cool, misty cloud forests of the Andes Mountains. These mountains stretch through Colombia and Ecuador. They prefer areas with lots of trees and flowers. These places provide them with food and shelter. They often live at high altitudes, usually between 1,500 and 3,000 meters (about 4,900 to 9,800 feet) above sea level.
What Do Brown Incas Look Like?
Most hummingbirds are famous for their bright, shimmering feathers. The brown inca is a bit different. Its main color is a dull brown. However, it has a clear white patch on its wing, near the shoulder. This patch is easy to spot. The most exciting part of its appearance is its throat. It can flash a beautiful purple color. This color only shows up when the light hits it just right. This is called iridescence, like a tiny rainbow on its neck!
Size and Features
Like other hummingbirds, the brown inca is quite small. It has a long, pointed beak. This beak is perfect for reaching deep into flowers. It also has tiny, strong feet. These feet are mostly used for perching, not for walking. Its wings beat incredibly fast, allowing it to hover in mid-air.
What Do Brown Incas Eat?
Brown incas, like all hummingbirds, love to drink nectar. Nectar is a sweet liquid found in flowers. They use their long tongues to sip it up. Nectar gives them lots of energy. This energy helps them fly so fast and hover.
Beyond Nectar
Besides nectar, brown incas also eat tiny insects. These insects provide them with important protein. They might catch insects while flying or pick them off leaves. Eating insects helps them stay healthy and strong.
How Do Brown Incas Live?
Brown incas are very active birds. They spend most of their day flying from flower to flower. They are important for their environment. When they visit flowers for nectar, they also help to pollinate them. This means they help plants make seeds.
Conservation Status
The brown inca is currently listed as a species of "Least Concern" by conservation groups. This is good news! It means that their populations are stable. They are not currently facing a high risk of extinction. This status is based on studies and data about their numbers and habitats.
See also
In Spanish: Inca pardo para niños
