Purple-crowned plovercrest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Purple-crowned plovercrest
male
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apodiformes
Family:	Trochilidae
Genus:	Stephanoxis
Species:	S. loddigesii
Binomial name
Stephanoxis loddigesii (Vigors, 1831)
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Synonyms
Stephanoxis lalandi loddigesii

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The purple-crowned plovercrest (also called the violet-crowned plovercrest) is a tiny, colorful hummingbird. Its scientific name is Stephanoxis loddigesii. This bird lives in parts of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It belongs to a group of hummingbirds known as "emeralds".

About the Purple-Crowned Plovercrest

How Scientists Name Birds

The purple-crowned plovercrest and the green-crowned plovercrest (Stephanoxis lalandi) were once thought to be different species. Then, in the mid-1900s, scientists grouped them together as one species called "plovercrest."

However, a study in 2014 showed that they are indeed two separate species. So, they were given back their original species status. These two birds are the only members of their group, or "genus," called Stephanoxis.

What Does This Hummingbird Look Like?

Stephanoxis loddigesii by A. Bertrand

The purple-crowned plovercrest is a small bird, about 8.5 to 9.5 centimeters (3.3 to 3.7 inches) long. Males weigh around 3.7 grams (0.13 ounces). Both male and female birds have a short, straight, black beak.

Male and Female Differences

• Males: They have a shaggy, bright violet-blue crest on their head. Their face, chin, and throat are brownish, with a white spot behind each eye. Their upper body is yellowish-green. The lower part of their throat and upper belly are a dark violet-blue. The rest of their underside is gray. Their two middle tail feathers are green, and the others are green with a black band and white tips.
• Females and Young Birds: They have a much smaller crest than the males. Their upper body is also yellowish-green, and their underside is gray.

Where Do They Live?

The purple-crowned plovercrest can be found in eastern Paraguay, the very northeastern part of Argentina, and southern Brazil. In Brazil, they live as far north as the southern part of São Paulo state.

Their Home Environment

These hummingbirds prefer to live in the lower parts of forests. They also live in scrublands and areas with plants along rivers or streams. You can find them from sea level up to about 900 meters (2,950 feet) high.

Purple-Crowned Plovercrest Behavior

How They Move Around

Most purple-crowned plovercrests stay in the same area all year. However, in the southernmost parts of their range, some birds move to lower areas during the winter.

What Do They Eat?

The purple-crowned plovercrest searches for nectar from flowers. They look for food from near the ground all the way up to the tops of trees. They use both native flowers and those brought in by people.

Hunting for Food

Male birds protect their feeding areas during the breeding season. Besides nectar, these hummingbirds also eat insects. They catch insects while flying or pick them off leaves.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The breeding season for the purple-crowned plovercrest in Brazil is from October to March.

Courtship and Nests

• Males: Often, male birds gather in special spots called leks to show off and attract females. Sometimes, single males will also display.
• Females: The female builds a cup-shaped nest. She uses soft plant fibers and seeds, held together with spiderwebs. She decorates the outside with lichens. The nest is usually placed on a forked branch, about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) above the ground.
• Eggs: Females lay two eggs. They sit on the eggs (incubate them) for 14 to 16 days. Scientists don't yet know how long it takes for the young birds to leave the nest.

How They Communicate

Male purple-crowned plovercrests sing a "complex, modulated vocalization." They sing this song at leks and when they are chasing other plovercrests.

Conservation Status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the purple-crowned plovercrest as a species of "Least Concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. However, we don't know how many of these birds there are or if their numbers are changing.

Threats and Protection

No immediate threats to the species have been found. They are found in patches across their range. They are common in some areas and rare in Paraguay. These birds live in several national parks and private reserves. They can also live in areas changed by humans, like farmland, as long as there are still small patches of scrub or forest.