Steely-vented hummingbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steely-vented hummingbird |
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| Saucerottia saucerottei saucerottei, Colombia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Saucerottia
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| Species: |
saucerottei
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| Range of S. saucerottei Year-round range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Amazilia saucerottei |
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The steely-vented hummingbird (Saucerottia saucerottei) is a small, colorful bird. It is a type of hummingbird known for its shiny feathers. You can find this bird mainly in Colombia and Venezuela.
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How Scientists Group This Hummingbird
Scientists like to group animals based on how they are related. The steely-vented hummingbird used to be in a group called Amazilia. But after looking at their DNA, scientists decided to move it to a different group called Saucerottia. This helps them understand the hummingbird family tree better.
Most scientists agree that there are three main types, or subspecies, of the steely-vented hummingbird. These are S. s. saucerottei, S. s. warscewiczi, and S. s. braccata. Each subspecies is slightly different and lives in a specific area.
What Does It Look Like?
This hummingbird is about 8 to 11 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) long. It weighs about 4.4 to 5.0 grams (0.15 to 0.17 ounces). That's about the weight of two pennies!
Both male and female steely-vented hummingbirds have a black beak. The bottom part of their beak is often pink or reddish.
- Males: They have shiny golden-green feathers on their back. Their tail feathers are a dark blue-black color. Their belly is also a sparkling golden-green.
- Females: They look a bit different. They have some white feathers on their throat. Their undertail feathers are grayish-brown.
- Young birds: Baby hummingbirds look a bit like the females. They are not as bright and have duller colors.
The different subspecies have small differences. For example, S. s. warscewiczi is a bit smaller. S. s. braccata has a purple or blue tint on its rump feathers.
Where Does It Live?
The steely-vented hummingbird lives in different parts of Colombia and Venezuela.
- The S. s. warscewiczi subspecies lives in northern Colombia and parts of northwestern Venezuela.
- The S. s. saucerottei subspecies is found in western and north-central Colombia.
- The S. s. braccata subspecies lives in the Andes mountains in western Venezuela.
These hummingbirds like places that are somewhat open. They live in scrublands, savannas, and the edges of forests. You can also find them in gardens and plantations. They usually live from sea level up to about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) high. One subspecies, S. s. braccata, can live even higher, up to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in the mountains.
Behavior
How It Moves Around
The steely-vented hummingbird usually stays in one area. It does not travel long distances. However, it might move a short way to find more flowering plants.
What Does It Eat?
We don't know a lot about what this hummingbird eats. But like most hummingbirds, it drinks nectar from flowers. It uses its long beak to reach the sweet liquid inside low bushes and trees. It is also thought to protect its feeding areas from other birds.
Reproduction and Nests
In Colombia, these hummingbirds seem to lay eggs at any time of the year. Not much else is known about their breeding habits. One nest was found high up in a tree, about 8 meters (26 feet) off the ground. It was a simple cup-shaped nest. Scientists still need to learn more about their eggs and how long it takes for the babies to hatch and leave the nest.
What Sounds Does It Make?
Scientists have not fully described the steely-vented hummingbird's song. But its calls are known. They sound like a high, sharp tsit or a dry chit. Sometimes they make a quick series of these sounds.
Is It Endangered?
The steely-vented hummingbird is doing quite well. It is listed as a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. There are at least 500,000 adult birds. Even though their numbers might be slowly going down, there are no big threats right now. This hummingbird is common in many places where it lives. It can also be found in protected areas.
