Tufted coquette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tufted coquette |
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| Adult male, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lophornis
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| Species: |
ornatus
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The tufted coquette (Lophornis ornatus) is a tiny, colorful hummingbird. It lives in parts of South America, including eastern Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Even though it's not super common, you can find it in many places. Scientists think it might move around a bit depending on the season, but they are still learning about its travels.
This small bird likes to live in open areas, gardens, and places where people grow plants.
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About the Tufted Coquette
The tufted coquette is a very small bird. It is only about 6.6 centimetres (2.6 in) (2.6 inches) long. It weighs around 2.3 grams (0.081 oz) (0.08 ounces), which is about the same as two paperclips!
What Does It Look Like?
The tufted coquette has a short, straight bill that is red with a black tip.
Male Coquette's Look
Male tufted coquettes are very fancy. They have a reddish-brown (called rufous) crest on their head. Their back is a shiny coppery green. They also have a white band across their lower back, which you can easily see when they fly.
Their forehead and belly are green. From the sides of their neck, they have special reddish-brown feathers with black spots. These feathers stick out like plumes. Their tail is a pretty golden reddish-brown color.
Female Coquette's Look
Female tufted coquettes are not as flashy as the males. They do not have the head crest or the special neck plumes. Their upper body is green, except for the white band on their tail. Their belly is reddish-brown, but it gets much lighter towards their lower belly. Their tail is mostly bronze-green with a dark band and white tips on the feathers.
Young Coquettes
Young male coquettes look a lot like the females. However, their throats are whitish with small dark spots.
Where Does It Live?
The tufted coquette is found in several countries in South America. These include eastern Venezuela, the island of Trinidad, the region known as the Guianas (which includes Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana), and the northern parts of Brazil.
What Do They Eat?
Tufted coquettes mostly eat nectar from many different kinds of flowers. Nectar is a sweet liquid that gives them energy. They also eat some tiny insects and other small creatures.
Because they are so small and fly steadily, these birds can sometimes look like large bees as they move from flower to flower.
How Do They Behave?
Tufted coquettes are known to be quite calm and easy to approach. When they are feeding, you might hear them make a light "chik" sound.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The female tufted coquette builds a small, cup-shaped nest. She makes it from soft plant material and places it on a branch. She usually lays two tiny eggs in her nest.
